Conversation with Marketing Manager Sarah Ruddle | CF Behind-the-Scenes

Marketing Manager Sarah Ruddle shares why she joined Consequence Forum, what she does at CF, and more!

Sarah Ruddle

Tell us about yourself!

I was born and raised in Michigan and currently reside in Ann Arbor. Apart from being an avid sports fan, I love nature, travel, coffee, and literature.

I’ll never forget the morning of 9/11. I was in college, on a basketball scholarship, and was at morning team practice. The head coach entered the gym, grabbed the ball we were using, and took us to the locker room, where we watched the monumental event unfold. A few months later, I had an overwhelming desire to serve in the military; I drove to the Army recruiting station and took a practice ASVAB. I did well enough on the ASVAB that the recruiter asked me to go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Stations) the following day to take the test for real and to begin the official process of becoming a soldier. I would leave for Ft. Jackson a few months later and then be shipped to Ft. Huachuca, AZ, to begin training as an intelligence analyst.

During the peak of the war, I served in the Army, witnessing events like Jessica Lynch's capture and Saddam Hussein's death. While in the Army, I saw, heard, did, and read things I will never forget. Our sergeant at AIT failed to mention that no amount of time heals certain wounds and that hours after being discharged from your service, you feel lost and like you have no purpose in life anymore.

I ended up being medically retired from the US Army after severely injuring my right arm and losing 60% of its function. After my time in the Army ended, I found myself back in Michigan, uncertain of my future. I had three surgeries in 18 months and was physically unable to work, which left me trying to live off the $374 a month of disability pay. My lack of income left me homeless and living in my rusted-out Ford Taurus.

During this challenging time, I found myself extremely depressed and felt like I had no purpose or hope. I decided to return to college to finish my undergraduate degree, and from there, my life took more unexpected turns. I proceeded to start a nonprofit organization and, during that time, was also contacted by a local Michigan college to enter their MBA program and informed they would pay 90% of my tuition and hire me as a graduate assistant, allowing me to pay cash for my MBA and continue getting back on my feet financially and mentally.

In the following five years, my life was a whirlwind. I founded a second nonprofit, and the university graciously paid 100% of my enrollment in a PhD program. I earned my PhD and dedicated myself to savoring everyday life while advocating for the most marginalized individuals. I am grateful for the opportunity to play a modest role in the CF team.

When did you join CF and what brought you to CF?

I joined the CF team in 2023, so I am a relative newbie to the organization, but I have been welcomed from day one. I saw an ad on LinkedIn for the open marketing manager position at CF. After reviewing the CF website and digging into the organization, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. My background with the Army and nonprofits aligned perfectly with my passion for reading and providing outlets for marginalized voices, so I connected with the executive editor, Matthew. 

What do you do at CF?

I am the marketing manager at CF, so I do a lot of work curating social media posts, working with interns, assisting other teams with searching for grants, revising the website, and other tasks.

What do you enjoy most about your work at CF?

I enjoy that everyone at CF is inclusive, intelligent, and willing to learn about others. At CF, the team excels at collaborating with others, embracing diversity, and amplifying voices that have been silenced for too long. 

How important do you think literary journals like CF are for the literary community and aspiring writers?