Biography

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Velma Anne Ruth is an advocate based in the Washington DC area. 

She has a bachelors degree of Interdisciplinary Studies in psychology and the visual & performing arts from University of Maine at Farmington, a masters of education in Psychology with Criminal Justice focus from Cambridge College, and undergrad to post graduate apprenticeship in Creativity & Intelligence at New York University (NYU). Velma is currently collaborating with multiple faculty at George Mason University with a focus on data analytics, environmental health, disaster recovery and environmental risk mitigation. 

In 2001, per the recommendation of state and federal level advisors in Community Justice, Velma founded ABS Community Research (501c3) for interdisciplinary partnerships between Criminal Justice, Health & Human Services, Education, Labor and Economics. ABS has conducted advocacy involving UN organizations, over 40 countries, and across the United States. 

In 2010, per recommendation of private, nonprofit and philanthropic investment bankers, Velma founded her boutique consulting firm Independent Review, Inc. Independent Review has served DC based clients in infrastructure level federal financing applications, political and nonprofit campaigns, data analytics and reporting, marketing and media production. Cross-sector clientele include political, legal, business associations, and national security; both foreign and domestic. 

In 2026, after over 12 years as a consultant to the business, Velma was appointed President & CEO of Washington Marketing Group, managing a database of 3.4 million donors, serving nonprofit and political campaigns. 

Subsequently, Velma was appointed President of Washington Marketing Group's sister nonprofits including Rule of Law Committee (501c4), Heart to Heart Foundation (501c3), and Children of Heroes Fund (501c3).

In 2013, UNECOSOC affiliate Universal Peace Federation appointed Velma as an Ambassador for Peace, which is UN diplomatic status in advocacy for soft power solutions with focus on communities, national security and economics.

In 2021, Velma was recognized by Who's Who in America for Organization.