Ruth Cossio-Muniz, MBA
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

As assistant director, Ruth Cossio-Muniz helps to manage the operations of the Orange County Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She develops and implements marketing strategies to promote the Center’s services; oversees the entrepreneurial training programs; and coordinates special projects associated with Orange County SBDC partnerships.

Prior to joining Orange County SBDC in 2006, Ruth served as the Communications Specialist/Public Information Officer at Santa Ana College for eight years where she was responsible for managing the development and implementation of key marketing and public relations campaigns targeted to multicultural audiences.  She coordinated media relations activities, which garnered  over 50 percent increased visibility of the college and its programs; managed the writing and production of advertisements, brochures and other promotional materials; produced the employee newsletter; directed special events, and authored content for the college website. 

Ruth began her career in advertising and public relations agencies. She was hired as an account executive at Mendoza, Dillon & Associates in Newport Beach, California, where she managed a $6 million pharmaceutical account along with a team of creative artists and media experts. Her professional experience also includes coordinating several corporate accounts at Ketchum Public Relations Worldwide in Los Angeles, including Acura, Visa, Packard Bell and Knott's Berry Farm. Ruth worked at Moya, Villanueva & Associates, an Hispanic affiliate of Manning, Selvage & Lee PR, where she had the opportunity to provide public relations assistance to Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Kraft, and MoneyGram. She worked at The Londre Company, an L.A.-based food service public relations agency serving BreathAsure, Gelson's Markets and Lawry's Seasonings; and was employed by KABC Talk Radio assisting the promotions and advertising department with media buys, press kits and campaign activities.

As a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the American Marketing Association (AMA), the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations, National Hispanic Business Women Association (NHBWA), and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Ruth has been recognized with various awards in advertising and public relations, including creative works in brochures, outdoor billboards, print ads and television commercial spots.

Ruth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from the University of Southern California (USC), and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is also an alumna of Rancho Santiago Community College District.