Staff Spotlight: Sury Ruiz
Sury Ruiz is a living testament of transformation. Growing up in Colombia, she has always felt a profound connection to the concept of change—whether in her own life, her community, or the families she supports daily. This passion for transformation has fueled Sury's commitment to helping others unlock their potential and break free from the cycle of extreme poverty. She firmly believes that passion and purpose are the cornerstones of lifelong change. Over a decade ago, Sury’s journey in the social sector began and along the way she discovered Opportunity International and Agape (our local partner), and it was here that she found the perfect outlet for her dedication to social development and empowerment. Today, she serves as the Coordinator and Project Manager of the Colombia Graduation Program, which is focused on serving people living in the deepest poverty.
“This work is about passion,” she says. “You must discover what you are passionate about to enjoy each day to the fullest. I have confidence and believe that transformation and change are possible, if we believe it.”
This belief is not just theoretical for Sury; it’s something she lives out every day. At home, Sury’s commitment is reflected in her relationships with her family. Her husband and six-year-old daughter are her anchors, her support system, and her greatest motivation. They are the ones who see her at her best and her worst, and they are the ones who inspire her to keep going, even when the work becomes challenging. Sury’s husband is more than just a partner in life; he’s also a partner in her work. He’s often by her side, whether it’s helping with logistics, offering advice, or simply listening when she needs to talk through a problem. “He’s my driver when I need to get somewhere urgently, my advisor when I need a different perspective,” Sury says with a smile. “Having someone who shares my passion and understands the importance of this work makes all the difference.”
The passion that Sury has for transformation also extends to her role as a mother. Sury is deeply committed to spending quality time with her daughter, sharing simple joys like watching cartoons together on weekends. Balancing work and family life is not always easy, but Sury believes it’s essential. “Teamwork is key,” she explains. “I’m grateful for my support network, especially my mom, who always steps in when I need it. The important thing is to optimize my time and enjoy the moments I have with my family.”
Sury’s journey into the world of social development began with her desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Inspired by the stories of resilience she encountered during her more than a decade of experience in the social sector, Sury was drawn to the work of Agape and Opportunity International. As the birthplace of Opportunity, our 53-year history serving communities in Colombia offered Sury the perfect place to channel her passion for transformation into meaningful action.
But it wasn’t just the history that drew Sury in—it was the challenge. Implementing a new model to overcome extreme poverty was no small feat, but Sury was eager to be a part of the story. She saw the potential for real, lasting change and knew she had to be involved–and involved she was. Sury quickly became a driving force behind the Colombia Graduation Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to help families start businesses, feed their families, and send their children to school.
One of the most rewarding aspects of her work has been witnessing the transformation and empowerment of these families firsthand. “Seeing the before and after, the stories behind each number and every indicator, it’s more than can be described quantitatively,” Sury reflects. “When families make progress, we feel that as a victory of our own. When they require greater effort, we all work together to find solutions.”
Looking ahead, Sury dreams of expanding the work in Colombia to reach even more families. She envisions a model with greater scalability, one that can connect with public entities and align with national and local development plans to create a massive, sustainable impact. Her vision includes the use of digital tools to reach rural and hard-to-reach areas, and a learning management system to direct public policy toward overcoming extreme poverty.
For Sury, the official graduation day for the first class of participants is not just another milestone–it’s a celebration of all that has been achieved and a testament to the power of passion and transformation. “This event is like the birthday of your first baby,” she says, beaming with pride. “You’ve cared for it, given it your best, and now you see it stronger and bigger than you ever imagined. I’m excited to see the happy faces of the families on stage, knowing that this is just the beginning of their journey toward self-sufficiency.”
Sury Ruiz is not just a transformer advocating for transformation; she is living proof that with passion, confidence, and belief, anything is possible.