Ruben “Okhan” Ortiz comes to us with a diverse urban background, born in South Carolina to first generation Puerto Rican parents but raised by a single mother between NYC, Puerto Rico and Boston. He graduated from Copley Square International High School, Boston, MA in 1987. While in high school, he had the opportunity to be a summer intern with the United States Secret Service. After graduating high school Ruben took courses at University of Lowell, Boston College and Harvard.
Most recently, Ruben served as the Director of Development & Operations, at a youth leadership development organization, The City School (TCS), Boston MA. He started with TCS in 1999 during its infancy; Ruben served in different capacities throughout his 5 years, as the Operations Manager, Director of Summer Leadership Program (SLP), Director of Recruitment & Volunteers. In 2002, Ruben came to Miami as Field Director for Youth Vote Coalition, an organization based in Washington, D.C., his goal was to reach 800,000 youth between the ages of 18-25 and provide civic education and participation. He was successful in achieving this goal with the help of organizations like Florida ACORN, local chapter of NAACP and MTV Rock the Vote. In 1997, he also worked as a Community Health Outreach Coordinator for MOCAA (Men Of Color Against AIDS), an organization founded by people of color for people of color in Boston. While with MOCAA, Ruben’s focus was to bridge together organizations and CHOW (Community Health Outreach Workers). He was able to work closely with organizations and CHOW’s from Latino Health Institute (LHI), Multicultural AIDS Coalition (MAC), Roxbury Comprehensive Clinic, AIDS Action and Fenway Community Health Center to develop 4 week educational workshops. Workshops were created and led by CHOW’s and their constituents. Topics ranged from domestic violence, homophobia & heterosexism, HIV/AIDS, safe sex, ethnic cultures and racism.
Ruben’s goals include obtaining a BS in International Business with a minor in Latino Caribbean Studies, and then on to a Masters program.
