Ruby Velasco

Editor, Heinz College

Bio

Ruby grew up in Santa Ana, California – a vibrant but underinvested community in drastically segregated Orange County. She is passionate about equity, inclusivity, and being an active member of her community. She came to Pittsburgh as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. 

With a bachelor's degree in French and Global Studies from Saint Mary's College, Ruby has a strong interest in urban development and social justice. As a professional, she has applied her analytical skills and cross-cultural perspective to her previous roles in community development, resource building, and coalition management. She decided to join the Heinz Journal to further her editorial skills, gain insight into publishing, and contribute to the academic community. 

Ruby is pursuing a part-time master’s in Public Management.  She currently lives with her black cat, Maximo. In her free time, she likes watching movies, reading, and generally bopping around Pittsburgh.