Ruth Cohen

Expert in Experience Management and Nonprofit Leadership

Ruth Cohen is a nonprofit executive who, for nearly 35 years, has helped shape, grow, and define a wide-range of national and international education, arts, and cultural institutions by sharing her expertise.  

Currently consulting on a number of local and national projects, she previously worked at the American Museum of Natural History, serving as the Senior Director for Education Strategic Initiatives, and the Director for the Center for Lifelong Learning. In those roles, she led the Museum’s pipeline of out-of-school educational experiences and drove long-range strategic planning to fulfill the Museum’s mission in education. She also spearheaded work with the New York City Department of Education to improve the teaching and learning of middle school science.  

Previously, she was an independent fundraising, strategic planning, and management consultant with clients including the American Museum of Natural History, the 92nd Street Y, The 52nd Street Project, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, Primary Stages, and New Visions for Public Schools. She also held leadership roles for a number of organizations including the New York City Ballet and the Sundance Institute. 

Affiliations: 

  • American Museum of Natural History: Former Senior Director of Education Strategic Initiatives, and former Director  
  • New York University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences: Former Adjunct Assistant Professor 
  • PENCIL, Inc.: Former President  
  • The Sundance Institute: Former Vice President for Institutional Development  
  • Playwrights Horizon: Former Director of Development  
  • New York City Ballet 
  • National Women’s Political Caucus 

Education: 

  • Harvard University School of Business Administration, Executive Education Program for Social Entrepreneurship  
  • Binghamton University, Bachelor’s Degree