Congratulations to Ruth Milligan, Articulation’s founder and managing partner, for her recognition as a Columbus Business First C-Suite Award recipient. This award honors Central Ohio’s most impactful executives. She was nominated by Acacia Duncan and the Articulation team.
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For over 30 years, Ruth has left an indelible mark on Columbus, driving change by empowering others and fostering community connection. As the founder of Articulation, a boutique communication coaching firm, Ruth has dedicated her career to helping leaders find their voices and deliver impactful messages.
The Journey from TEDx to Articulation
In 2010, after successfully launching one of the first TEDx events—TEDxColumbus—Ruth was inspired to create Articulation. TEDxColumbus grew to become one of the longest-running TEDx programs globally, setting the stage for Articulation’s mission: empowering leaders to communicate with consequence. Over the years, Ruth’s vision transformed Articulation from a one-woman show into a dynamic firm of five professionals, serving clients locally, nationally, and globally.
Central to Articulation’s success is Ruth’s philosophy that anyone can deliver a compelling talk with the right guidance and support. This belief forms the foundation of Articulation’s coaching programs, which have trained thousands in public speaking, storytelling, message development, executive presence, and more. Ruth’s personalized approach leverages tools like Birkman assessments to tailor training to individual clients, ensuring their unique communication needs are addressed.
Leadership Through Crisis
Ruth’s leadership was put to the test during the 2020 pandemic, a time when many businesses, including Articulation, faced unprecedented challenges. As three-quarters of the business disappeared almost overnight, her resilience and quick thinking enabled her to retain our employees, keeping her team engaged and employed through the crisis. This period solidified her reputation as a leader who can navigate disruption while maintaining her core mission of empowering others.
Innovating the Art of Communication
In the past year, Ruth introduced a groundbreaking framework: Threshold Concepts for Learning How to Be an Effective Speaker. After extensive research in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Wardle at Miami University, Ruth and our team identified six key concepts that redefine how individuals learn to communicate effectively:
- Speaking is habitual – It’s a skill to be developed, not an innate talent.
- Speaking is embodied – It goes beyond words, involving physical expression.
- Speaking is social – Every talk has a purpose and audience.
- Speaking has multiple genres – The type of event, audience, and context shape the speech.
- Speaking is messy – Mastery takes time and iterative practice.
- Speaking requires feedback – Improvement comes from external input.
This innovative framework has transformed Articulation’s coaching methods, providing a deeper understanding of communication as a developmental process rather than a checklist of skills. Ruth’s vision continues to shape how leaders approach public speaking, ensuring they not only learn but internalize and master their communication.
Succession and Sustainability
Recognizing the importance of sustainable leadership, Ruth has also begun a strategic transition plan for Articulation. She’s mentoring Acacia Duncan, preparing her to assume the role of president upon Ruth’s eventual retirement. This transition plan ensures Articulation’s legacy will continue under strong leadership, aligning with Ruth’s commitment to empowering others within her organization.
A Lasting Impact Beyond Business
Ruth’s influence extends far beyond her business. This year, she was honored with the RedHawk50 Award from Miami University, recognizing her as a leader of one of the 50 fastest-growing Miami RedHawk-owned businesses globally. Additionally, her role in creating TEDxColumbus has brought more than 200 speakers to the stage, covering vital topics from health to innovation, and creating a platform for diverse voices.
As a passionate advocate for women and girls, Ruth has supported numerous initiatives, providing pro bono coaching for The Women’s Fund Keyholder event and showcasing underrepresented voices of women of color through speaker showcases. She has also served as chapter chair of the Women Presidents Organization Columbus Chapter and on the core team of the Women in Analytics conference.
Beyond her work, Ruth is helping grow the popularity of pickleball in Columbus. Her involvement with Pickle and Chill and her partnership with the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has sparked local excitement for the sport, demonstrating Ruth’s ongoing commitment to community building and wellness.
A Deserving CEO of the Year
Ruth Milligan’s leadership, innovation, and commitment to community have shaped her as a trailblazer in both communication and business. Her achievements over the past year, from transforming the way leaders approach public speaking to empowering the next generation of leadership at Articulation, demonstrate her lasting impact. With a passion for elevating others, Ruth continues to make a difference in Columbus and beyond—making her a deserving nominee for the C-Suite Award.