Ruth Whitney is a former chief of staff to Attorney General Mike Beebe who had previously worked as a lawyer for the state Department of Human Services and as counsel to Mitchell Williams Selig Gates & Woodyard of Little Rock. She founded public affairs firm inVeritas in 2009, offering management consulting, public relations, advocacy and research services to a client roster that includes Fortune 500 firms.
Whitney graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1986 and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1990.
What typically prompts a business to hire a lobbying or public affairs firm?
Clients turn to inVeritas to remove barriers and solve complex challenges, manage crisis, help improve market share and deliver successful results. We are engaged by Fortune 500 companies, professional services firms, industry associations, nonprofit organizations and family-owned businesses. Each engagement is unique and the services range from crisis management and public relations, to due diligence and business planning, or legislative and regulatory advocacy.
How do you prepare for a new gubernatorial administration, which brings a host of changes?
The 47th Arkansas governor will be the sixth governor I have been privileged to work with in my career. InVeritas makes preparation for administration changes by meeting with prospective gubernatorial candidates and their staff. We review and study their policy position and ideas and share information about our experience and services. Trust is critical to our success and positive reputation and I am grateful to have built trusting personal relationships with Arkansas governors, their cabinet and staff.
How have you navigated intense partisanship?
Many of the policy changes inVeritas advocates rise above partisanship. I am grateful to work with leaders in the administration and the Legislature who are passionate about those issues including adult workforce programs, health care services, treating individuals with rare diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, education and wellness services for kids, and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. We have a proven track record of passing legislation and building coalitions that cut through the partisanship and focus on issues that will improve outcomes for Arkansans.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in your career?
My career has evolved from traditional legal work to being a serial entrepreneur. The number of women-owned businesses and the number of women in executive level positions in business and government has grown dramatically in the last 30 years. And in the last few decades, women’s participation and impact in a wider range of businesses has increased. There are many more resources for businesswomen today. As one of the first woman-owned public affairs firms, it has given me the opportunity to serve as a mentor for women entrepreneurs and executives.
What services — beyond lobbying — does your firm provide?
InVeritas is a leading public affairs firm specializing in corporate and brand management, public relations, government relations, market research and intelligence. I am fortunate to work with a talented team of professionals with decades of experience at the highest levels of government and with expertise in various disciplines including law, finance, marketing, business, and intelligence. As a result, we are in a unique position to provide meaningful insights and deep industry knowledge in areas including healthcare, education, energy, tax, public finance, procurement, transportation, and information technology.
How does data and research inform the work you do?
Data and research are central to our products and services, whether we are conducting legal or public policy research, preparing an economic impact report, or providing due diligence services. In addition, technology perpetually reshapes our data driven services and requires us to evolve with emerging trends. inVeritas’ Global i platform is one example of how our team developed IT to streamline our due diligence services. While there is no substitute for human reasoning, the use of cutting- edge data and technology to gather and analyze vast amounts of information has been critical to our success.
What has been your most valuable leadership lesson?
Honesty, hard work, determination, admitting your mistakes, integrity and humility are hallmarks of leadership. But, your success as a leader will only thrive if you focus on those you lead. Listen to your team, recognize their talent and potential and help support and encourage their professional and personal journey.
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