Ketsy Ruiz is an artist, communicator and nonprofit advocate who will soon add Nonprofit Leadership Conference emcee to her impressive resume. Ketsy will guide hundreds of nonprofit and community leaders through a day of education, collaboration and inspiration at the 2025 Nonprofit Leadership Conference in Downtown Tampa on June 12.
We had a chance to sit down with Ketsy, so you can learn more about her.
Ketsy, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I currently serve as the Marketing & Communications Manager at Creative Pinellas, where I apply my expertise in all things branding to support the organization’s initiatives. I’m also the Curator and Artist in Residency Director at Mi Gente Mi Pueblo in Tampa Bay and a Collaborating Artist with Mi Patria Puerto Rico.
Beyond my nonprofit work, I’m an artist who creates under the name “Sketzii.” As a painter, digital illustrator, and muralist, my work celebrates Puerto Rican identity and Latino culture. Based between St. Petersburg, Florida, and Hatillo, Puerto Rico, I continue to develop my artistic practice while engaging in marketing consultation, community organizing, creative project management, and nonprofit advocacy work that amplifies cross-cultural voices and stories.
What called you to nonprofit work?
In short, one grant changed the course of my life.
My journey to nonprofit work began after years in corporate America where I found myself unchallenged and yearning for more meaningful impact. While I had developed valuable skills, there was always something missing — a deeper sense of purpose and the opportunity to fully utilize my creative abilities for positive change.
Everything shifted when I received an Emerging Artist grant. That experience was transformative, opening my eyes to the power of supporting creative voices and the impact that artistic opportunities can have on a person’s life and career. I immediately knew I had found my calling: to help other creatives access similar opportunities and to harness art as a form of activism.
Why is the Nonprofit Leadership Conference important for our nonprofit community?
For those of us working at the intersection of community organizing and social change, this conference offers both inspiration and practical tools to enhance our impact. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the collaborative networks that make our nonprofit ecosystem thrive and are essential to ensure we’re all better equipped to lead with vision in this rapidly changing landscape.
The theme of this year’s conference is Mission Accepted. What does this mean to you personally as a nonprofit leader?
“Mission Accepted” resonates deeply with me as an artist and nonprofit professional. It acknowledges the challenges we face and reminds me that we must have unwavering commitment despite the difficulties. When I create art that tells stories of unseen communities or develop programs that nurture emerging creative voices, I’m saying “yes” to the responsibility we carry.
We weren’t chosen for nonprofit leadership because the work is easy, but because we have the passion and determination to persist even when it’s hard. Our communities are counting on us to accept these missions as callings that transform lives. These aren’t just our jobs; they’re purpose fulfilled.
What should people who’ve never been to the conference know?
It’s much more than presentations. It’s a carefully crafted experience designed to energize nonprofit professionals with immediately implementable tools. The day flows thoughtfully from the “Mission Accepted” leadership panel through multiple networking opportunities and two rounds of targeted breakout sessions where you can customize your learning experience.
When you’re not working, what do you love doing most? What are you most passionate about?
Although some people would consider it work, I am most passionate about engaging my community through my art. I have a small but loyal community on Instagram, and I create my work with them. I ask questions about what they want to see in a piece, I hold Live Coffee Talks for every new artwork completed, and they get to experience the behind-the-scenes of an artist’s life. I also enjoy my community mural projects that I do with Mi Patria based in Isabela, Puerto Rico. They help to address displacement there and I’ve collaborated with them on two rehabilitation projects where I designed murals for the community to volunteer and paint. I truly love what I do and feel extremely blessed to be able to do that.
Since we’re all lifelong leaders around here, what’s one area you want to learn about or hone your skills in?
Storytelling! So much of the work I do comes back to finding creative ways to tell powerful stories. Whether it’s to connect with the communities we serve, bring new board members and volunteers in, apply for grants, or build momentum around our programs, we need to get people engaged in our work. I’m excited to keep honing that skill, especially by learning from other leaders at the conference. I can’t wait to hear how different organizations are sharing their stories, what’s working for them, and what new trends are starting to emerge.
What’s one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
My lifelong dream was to become a Disney Imagineer. I’ve always been fascinated by theme parks — I spend way too much brainpower critiquing ride queue experiences and hunting for the hidden stories tucked into restaurants and attractions. Honestly, being a creative director on a Disney theme park project is still one of those big, far-reaching goals I keep on my never-ending to-do list.
Where can our community find you?
You can find me living my best digital life! As a digital marketer and an elder millennial, I’m in the metaverse every day. Connect with me on LinkedIn under my name, Ketsy Ruiz, where I share my work and creative projects. You can also find me hanging out with my community on Instagram @sketzii. And, don’t forget to check out my website Sketzii.com to see more of what I’m up to!
