In 2022, WPLN launched its first-ever Fellowship for nonprofit management. As part of this program, fellows will receive mentorship opportunities and hands-on training on practical skills needed to support and scale nonprofits. This year, WPLN continues this program with its fourth cohort of two outstanding young women.
Meet Alayna Ruiz, WPLN Fellow from Ogden, Utah. Alayna is pursuing her Bachelor’s of Science in both Economics and Communications at Weber State University, with a certificate in Data Analytics.
[WPLN]: What about WPLN’s mission do you feel most passionate about?
[ALAYNA]: What I feel passionate about in WPLN’s mission is the philosophy that we need more public servants, not just politicians. To me, being a public servant means showing up for your community and truly listening to their needs before finally making decisions that actually improve lives. This idea paired with WPLN’s focus on getting more women into leadership strengthens that sentiment.
I’ve seen how powerful it is when women step into leadership roles, whether in politics or other spaces. Women bring a new perspective that can promote collaborative and community-driven initiatives. I believe that's exactly the kind of leadership our country needs more of.
What are you most looking forward to with your Fellowship?
I’m really excited to support WPLN’s 2026 National Summit in June! The idea of being part of a network that brings women together from across the country is inspiring, and I look forward to contributing to that. I’m also eager to learn more about nonprofit management behind the scenes and to see firsthand how WPLN supports developing the women candidates of the future.
What do you see as one of the biggest challenges for women in leadership today?
One challenge I’ve noticed for women in leadership today is visibility. When women don’t see themselves represented at higher levels, it can feel challenging to imagine stepping into those roles. Increasing visibility of women leaders inspires others while highlighting the critical need for diverse leadership at every level.
How do you plan to impact your community post-graduation?
My long-term goal is to work in public policy and continue growing my skills through a graduate degree. Whatever path I take, I want to use my strengths to make complex issues more clear and accessible, while also ensuring that more voices are part of the conversation.
After graduating with my undergraduate degree in April of 2026, I hope to bring more nuance and understanding into spaces that can sometimes feel divided or oversimplified. Whether that be through research, nonprofit work, or something else, I want to contribute to solutions that are practical, fair, and focused on real experiences.
What is your favorite quote by a woman who has impacted your life?
“One of the criticisms I've faced over the years is that I'm not aggressive enough or assertive enough, or maybe somehow, because I'm empathetic, it means I'm weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.” —Jacinda Ardern
I love this quote because it speaks to a tension so many women experience in leadership. Too often, empathy and compassion are dismissed as weakness, while assertiveness and toughness are celebrated as strength. I’ve felt that tension personally, when showing care or emotion is framed as being “too soft.” But Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, challenges that false dichotomy and demonstrates that compassion and strength are not opposites. They can, and must, coexist.
Ardern’s leadership on the world stage modeled what it looks like to lead with empathy in moments of crisis. She made space for grief and humanity while still making decisive, difficult choices. To me, she embodies the idea that real strength is not about being the loudest in the room, but about listening with compassion.
Ardern’s words remind me to resist that narrative that often equates aggression with power. Empathy is a leadership tool that builds stronger communities and more authentic connections. And that is the kind of leader I strive to be, someone who uses compassion not as an afterthought, but as a driving force for strength.
Learn more about WPLN's Fellowship for Nonprofit Management here.