#WomenCrushingWednesday w/ Angie Ruddell

Name: Angie Ruddell

Organization: Empower Retirement

Title: Engagement and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Community work (board service, volunteering, mentoring, etc.): Special projects co-chair for CWCC YP board; B CIVIC 2021  Programs Committee member, Colorado Investment Services Coalition Community Engagement Committee member, Alumni admissions interviewer alma mater, Tulane University

CWCC Involvement (CWCC member for x amount of years, Engagement within CWCC: serve on our board, support our members and team, etc.): I have been a member for almost a year since Empower Retirement joined the chamber. I am the relationship manager between CWCC and Empower associates, connecting our people with all the wonderful resources CWCC offers. I recently joined the Young Professionals Board and am serving as the special projects co-chair for the 2021 term.

The Why: Why do you do what you do/ why are you passionate about your work in our community?  

I grew up in a small fishing community in central California. Most people we know are connected to the industry, whether they run their own commercial fishing boats, work on the docks, own restaurants, or operate sport fishing ventures for tourists. We own and operate a smokehouse (smoked fish to be exact), and I spent most of my childhood up before the sun at the docks and watching my dad as he developed lifelong relationships and partnerships with the other people in our community. People rely on each other, and when times are tough, everyone rallies around those in need. 

My dad passed away unexpectedly in 2018, and although I am a Denverite now, our local community showed up and continues to support my mom as she runs a thriving business and sets an example for other entrepreneurs. When I visit my hometown, I can’t walk down the street without running into a friend or vendor who is overjoyed to catch up. It is an honor and privilege to call these people my friends and family.  

This sense of community led me to pursue corporate social responsibility, and every day I am able to connect folks with organizations they care about and direct support where it is most needed in the communities where Empower associates and clients work and live. The togetherness keeps me coming back every day.