The Center for American Progress is thrilled to announce that Ms. Araceli Ruano has joined the CAP team as a Senior Vice President and Director for the California office. In this role, Ruano will broaden American Progress’s policy development by drawing on ideas from California, a state often at the leading edge of progressive policy. Ruano will also take advantage of California’s role as gateway to the Pacific and Latin America to develop international partnerships and practice areas. Ruano will continue to engage in her work related to the environment, education, Latin America, health, and the arts.
"Her policy experience in the government, philanthropic, and legal arenas both in the United States and abroad will be a tremendous asset to CAP," said John D. Podesta, President and CEO of American Progress.
Ruano previously served as chief executive officer of ALAS, a foundation created by Latin American artists, intellectuals, and entrepreneurs to improve the health and education of children in the Americas. Previously, Araceli practiced law in the Government and Global Trade Practice Group of Mayer Brown. Prior to her legal career, she worked as the senior policy advisor to presidential candidate Al Gore. In addition, she worked as assistant political director to the vice president and policy advisor to the vice president and Tipper Gore at the White House.
Araceli is serving and has served on numerous boards and commissions related to education, the arts, law, health, and environment including the Getty House Foundation, the California Medical Assistance Commission, the California Economic Strategy Panel, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the California Export Finance Board.
She currently serves as a president of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, a trustee of the California Institute of the Arts, a member of the Roy and Edna CalArts Theatre Council, a board member of the Project of Justice in Times of Transition, a trustee of the Mexican American Bar Foundation, and a board member of the Alliance for College Ready Public Schools.