As an energetic and dynamic leader, Ruta brings over 25 years of technical experience in environmental management, long range planning, habitat assessment, community engagement, and regulatory permitting. Her experience includes firm wide strategic planning, establishing and building new practices, and successfully growing a firm’s overall presence in new geographies and markets. She is a member of ESA’s Board of Directors. As Southern CA Regional Director, she is responsible for financial operations, business growth, staff development, and team building. As Chair of ESA’s JEDI Committee, she is able to turn her strong commitment to justice (J), equity (E), diversity (D), and inclusivity (I) into action both internally and externally for the firm. She oversees comprehensive planning, urban design, climate resiliency/sustainability, and environmental compliance on projects throughout California. She leads a talented group of technical experts with natural resource, physical science, urban planning/design, and engineering backgrounds to provide public agencies, private developers, and attorneys with expertise in coordinating overall project management and compliance on development and infrastructure projects. Her experience includes master planned communities, transit oriented mixed-use development, educational facilities, medical campuses, recreational facilities, and transportation facilities.