Inspiring Conversations with Dr. Lindsay Ruiz of human as usual

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Lindsay Ruiz

Hi Dr. Lindsay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Venezuela, I grew up defying family and societal norms, driven by a relentless pursuit of survival and finding my place in the world. Education became my foundation, and I fast-tracked my way through school, earning my undergraduate degree by 19. This drive carried me across borders, from Venezuela to the U.S., where I navigated the complexities of adapting to a new culture, language, and professional landscape.

Over the next two decades, I built a career I’m proud of, spanning industries like advertising, healthcare, biotech, technology, retail, and consumer goods. I led high-visibility, transformational initiatives in Fortune 500 companies and high-growth brands, developing expertise in scaling businesses while raising the bar for ethical and human-centered leadership. In parallel, I continued my journey through academia in America, earning both a Masters and Doctorate degrees. However, my leadership in the corporate space often felt like lending my talent rather than fully stepping into the leader I knew I could be.

I saw issues within my previous organizations that needed a more focused, large-scale solution. To create meaningful, lasting change, I knew I had to intervene earlier in the organizational life cycle. That realization drove me to leave corporate and launch: human as usual, a generative scaling studio helping startups and mid-market companies achieve ambitious revenue goals while honoring the human experience. I also designed Humanistic Generative Scaling, a product suite that leverages predictive analytics and behavioral sciences to mitigate human risks during hypergrowth and provide actionable scaling blueprint.

This platform allows me to deliberately operationalize my ‘why’: I want people to believe again. To believe in the companies they work for, the leaders they look up to, their own agency to lead, and the products they create and consume. I see scaling as building something that lasts—something worth believing in.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey has been marked by overcoming significant challenges, each shaping me into the person and leader I am today.

First, there was overcoming poverty and embarking on a path no one thought I deserved. Moving to a new country, I had to learn a new language and, in doing so, find a new identity. It was about adapting but also about proving my capability, perseverance, and value in unfamiliar and often doubting environments.

I also had to unlearn the beliefs and limitations imposed on me, replacing them with my own truths and convictions. This process of seeking wholeness has been at the core of building my confidence and clarity of purpose.

And then, of course, there’s the challenge of entrepreneurship. I refer to it as “building the plane as I fly it.” Starting human as usual meant taking risks in the path less traveled, letting go of parts of my old identity to embrace a stronger me, wrestling uncertainty, and continuously learning (and un-learning) as I strive to create something transformative and enduring.

Through all of this, the struggles have taught me the importance of staying aligned with my vision, no matter the roadblocks.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about human as usual?
𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 is a generative scaling studio built to do more than just grow businesses. We exist to inspire leaders, teams, and companies to scale ambitiously while relying on the best of what it means to be human.

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺

Scaling a company is one of the most transformative trajectories a business can take. It’s exciting, it’s chaotic, and, too often, it sacrifices what matters most: the people at its heart. That’s where we come in.

At 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭, we partner with organizations that want to grow not just financially, but humanly. For early-stage startups, growth-stage companies, and late-stage scaleups preparing for IPO or acquisition, we provide a new way to execute for real success.

𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩

We call it 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨: a capability designed to turn ambitious scaling goals into humanity-centered execution. Through predictive analytics, behavioral science, and actionable growth pathways, we equip companies to:

• Build strong foundations to avoid costly missteps.
• Navigate hypergrowth without surprising chaos.
• Stabilize teams and de-risk exits for long-term viability.

Our work transform scaling challenges into opportunities to lead with purpose.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘖𝘐?

• Improved execution speed.
• Reduced turnover costs.
• Higher valuation potential through leadership and operational resilience.

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘞𝘦 𝘌𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵

The outdated playbook of “business as usual” has failed too many companies, and too many people. Reactive growth leads to failure 70% of the time, and 65% of scaling challenges come from internal human tensions. We believe it’s time for a new paradigm.

Scaling is more than an operational challenge, it’s an act of human expansion. When companies grow with self-reliance, adaptability, and humanity at their core, they raise the bar for their industries and inspire others to do the same.

𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘞𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩

• Founders and co-founders leading bold, visionary startups.
• C-suite leaders navigating the complexities of growth.
• VCs and investors looking to de-risk their portfolio companies.

How do you define success?
Peace. For me, success is defined by peace.

People often ask me about ‘my’ metrics. It used to be titles, diplomas, material achievements, but my definition of success has evolved. It’s no longer about external validation or milestones. Success is the latitude and agency I have to choose peace in everything I do.

If a decision or path disturbs my peace or creates a heaviness in my heart, I know it’s not the way forward. True success for me is living in wholeness with myself, pursuing what feels right, purposeful, and fulfilling. Peace is my compass, and it guides every choice I make.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.humanasusual.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsayruiz/