Ruth Rathblott is a TEDx speaker, Inspirational DEI speaker and an award-winning former CEO committed to creating inclusion for all. Ruth has spent her entire career focused on providing opportunities for those who face obstacles. In this installment of Next Steps Forward, she speaks with Chris Meek about being born with a limb difference and how her experiences have propelled her to speak on issues of inclusion and diversity, the freedom of accepting your differences, and rising above life’s challenges. Ruth will recount her story of hiding her disability and feeling intense angst as a teenager before finally finding acceptance toward her differences and embracing her authenticity as a human being. She will speak to issues of inclusivity surrounding those individuals with disabilities – or more so a lack thereof – as well as diversity within disabilities, which is all too often overlooked. The audience will be engaged, entertained and inspired by Ruth’s advice on how to overcome obstacles in their lives to become more empowered and to achieve their goals despite their differences.