Vania Ruiz (She/Her)

​​Youth Workforce Development Director
vruiz@unidetroit.org

Vania Ruiz first worked at UNI from 2012 to 2014 as the Community Schools Coordinator at Phoenix Multicultural Academy.  She rejoined UNI in September 2019 as the Youth Workforce Development Coordinator. She leads and oversees all youth employment programs, servicing youth through year-round employment, and summer employment through Grow Detroit’s Young Talent. Vania is also leading the implementation of a Collective Impact Network that will develop a neighborhood collective impact strategy with organizations that provide wraparound support, referrals, and career pathways to support opportunity youth in the neighborhood better. She has a strong history of bringing together partners to provide high-quality opportunities and resources that will connect and encourage youth to achieve long-term, economic success. Vania's other passion is Futbol, she is a founding member of a youth soccer league in Pontiac, MI - Wild Dogs Futbol Club. She and her husband live in Southgate and are parents to two children, Valentino, Camila, and Milani Ixchel.