Annelouiz C. Ruiz

Founder/Chairman Emeritus

About Dr. Nelz Calvario Ruiz

Hello, I am Annelouiz “Nelz” Calvario Ruiz — a lifelong learner, servant leader, and advocate for people and communities. Over the years, I have worn many hats: U.S. Air Force veteran, operations program manager, keynote speaker, life and career coach, mentor, community servant, and now, a PhD candidate in Leadership Studies.

At the heart of it all, I have always believed in one simple truth: Leadership is about Service.

My Journey

My path has been anything but linear. I started out in architecture, fascinated by design and structure. That curiosity eventually expanded beyond buildings into something bigger: how to design better systems, stronger teams, and healthier communities.

After graduation from college where I served in various leadership roles and actively involved in campus politics, I returned to my province (Qurino) and immersed myself in public service and spearheaded the Maddela Young Professionals Association (MYPA). I worked as a design engineer in Cabarroguis, Maddela, and eventually became the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator in Nagtipunan.

I went on to serve more than 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, where I learned resilience, discipline, and the power of leading with humility. Along the way, I pursued higher education – earning master’s degrees in Human Relations (University of Oklahoma), Public Administration (Golden Gate University, California), and later began my studies in Clinical Psychology (Pepperdine University, Malibu, California). Today, I am completing my dissertation, PhD in Leadership Studies (Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas) with a perfect GPA garnering a place in the National Honor Society. The objective of my dissertation is to put the Philippines back on the map; during my research study I only found a few quantitative studies about leadership in the Philippines so I decided to focus on “Exploring the Relationship Between Followers’ Perception of Philippine Government Leaders’ Authentic Leadership Behaviors and the Leaders’ Sources of Power and Followers’ Satisfaction with the Leader.”

What I Do

These days, I speak, teach, advocate, and mentor on topics close to my heart:

Leadership & Personal Growth
Diversity & Inclusion
Organizational Excellence
Life & Career Development

I have had the privilege of presenting at conferences, facilitating workshops for government and corporate leaders, and mentoring countless individuals who are now thriving in their own careers.

What I Believe

I live by words that keep me grounded and guide the way I lead and serve:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
“When you cannot control what is happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond. That is where your power is.”
“Invest in people — success is measured by the smiles in their eyes.”
“To whom much is given, much is expected.” – Luke 12:48

For me, leadership is not about titles or accolades; it is about empowering others, building communities, and lifting people up so they can shine.

And service does not only apply to a certain place or community, it can be global…community service has always been my advocacy and education being number 1.

Beyond the Work

When I am not speaking, writing, or mentoring, you will often find me tending to my plants (yes, I am a proud “plantito”), sketching out landscaping designs, or playing tennis and racquetball. I also love writing and composing — it is my way of reflecting and creating something that lasts.

Giving Back

One of the things I am most proud of is founding the Florentino Pascual Ruiz Memorial Foundation, Incorporated (FPRMFI) in 2003, to honor the legacy of my Father, Honorable Florentino “Tinoy” Pascual Ruiz, a proud Servant Leader. FPRMFI is a movement aimed to support students and families in my hometown, Maddela, through scholarships, mentorship, and livelihood projects. Seeing young people graduate, find careers, and give back to their own communities reminds me why I do what I do; it gives me the drive and motivation to keep moving forward.

Let us Connect

If you are looking for a keynote speaker, mentor, or someone to help your organization grow with purpose, I would love to connect.

📧 Email: phdnelz@gmail.com
📍 San Antonio, Texas