Behind every meal served, every family welcomed and every donation received is a team working to ensure Catholic Charities of Oregon can fulfill its mission with integrity and care. In this edition of Voices of Hope, meet Edith Ruiz, our financial controller, whose behind-the-scenes work helps keep the organization running smoothly.
As financial controller at Catholic Charities of Oregon, Edith Ruiz helps ensure that every contribution entrusted to the organization is accurately recorded, carefully managed and connected to the work it was intended to support.
Since joining Catholic Charities in 2018, Edith has helped modernize its financial systems, strengthen transparency and streamline processes that once relied heavily on paper. Although her role rarely brings her face to face with clients, she sees how responsible financial stewardship supports every program and every person Catholic Charities serves.
In this Voices of Hope profile, Edith shares why she sought a career with purpose, what she has learned from her colleagues and how volunteering at a recent food distribution gave her a deeper understanding of the growing need in our community.
Name: Edith Ruiz
Role with Catholic Charities (staff, board, volunteer, partner, client): I am on staff, and I am the financial controller.
Year you first connected with Catholic Charities: 2018
How did you hear about Catholic Charities of Oregon, and what prompted you to get involved? I joined Catholic Charities in 2018 as an accounting manager after finding the position through an Indeed job posting. My family had moved to Oregon from the Bay Area several years earlier because my parents and brothers were relocating here, and we believed it would provide better opportunities for my son.
At the time, I was looking for more than just another accounting job. I’ve worked in finance since my mid-20s, but I wanted to use those skills for an organization with a purpose. In the for-profit world, financial pressures can sometimes make it difficult to provide every client with the quality of service they deserve. I wanted to be somewhere that put people first.
When I interviewed, I remember thinking I was meant to be here. I connected immediately with my supervisor and felt like we shared a vision for improving systems, increasing transparency and making processes better. Eight years later, now as financial controller, I still feel grateful to be part of an organization whose mission aligns so closely with my own values.
What does being part of Catholic Charities/Catholic Social Teaching mean to you personally? To me, it means respecting the dignity of every person.
I deeply value the work people do throughout this organization to help others. There are so many struggles in the world, and sometimes having someone offer help or simply show that they care can make an enormous difference.
We make the world better one task at a time. One action may feel small, but collectively, those actions add up.
What’s one story or moment from your time with Catholic Charities that you’ll never forget? Because I work in finance, I do not have many client-facing experiences. Still, hearing stories about the people Catholic Charities serves is always inspiring to me.
Last month, I volunteered at our food distribution. It was difficult to see how significant the need was. We had limited quantities of some items and had to restrict how much each household could receive.
People understandably wanted more than we were able to give them. I wanted to say yes, but I also knew we needed to preserve enough food for the people who were still waiting.
Seeing that level of need stays with you. It helped me understand even more clearly why Catholic Charities and organizations like ours are so important.
What activities, situations or people most inspire you? People inspire me. My supervisor has always encouraged me to think outside the box. We talk through challenges and try to find solutions together. Sometimes she challenges me, and sometimes I challenge her. I have really appreciated that relationship.
More broadly, I value the different ways people think. I try to understand another person’s perspective rather than viewing everything only through my own experience.
Different opinions and ways of approaching a problem can make us stronger, not only as an organization but also as a society. We are better when we listen to one another and remain open to learning.
What advice would you give someone who wants to become involved — whether through volunteering, donating or seeking support? Find an area that inspires you and feels worthwhile.
Catholic Charities works in so many different areas that most people can find a cause or opportunity that speaks to them. Think about the contribution you can make in your own community and where your skills, interests or compassion might be most helpful.
Helping others and caring for other people have always been important to me. Everyone has something meaningful they can contribute.
What is a favorite book, movie, TV show, podcast or social media account — and why? (Pick one!) One of my favorite books is Memoirs of a Geisha. I found the historical and cultural context fascinating. I enjoy books that give you a glimpse into another culture or another era.
My son loves the Marvel movies, so those are also a regular part of our household.
What is on your personal “bucket list” — something you still hope to do, learn and experience? Travel is high on my list. We are headed to Banff this summer, and my son has always wanted to visit Japan. I would also love to travel through Europe.
I was born in Nicaragua and lived in Peru for a couple of years when I was young. I have traveled to several states, but my first major international trip as an adult was to Singapore and Malaysia last year.
Once you experience someplace so different, it makes you want to see what else is out there.