Founder and Lead Facilitator
Irma (Mimi) Ruiz founded Anew Group in 2014 as her life project to serve individuals and organizations into waking up and tapping their inner resources. A qualified teacher from the recognized Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Irma has devoted thousands of hours in service to those curious to discover their potential to manage their lives skillfully. A former Senior Vice-President at Banco Popular, she has tackled new environments after complex organizational changes; designed managerial trainings for new software integration; formulated internal and external communications strategies; and spearheaded initiatives for integrating awareness practices to boost the well-being of employees and management teams.
Since launching Anew Group, Irma has designed and facilitated mindfulness-based workplace programs tailored for private and non-profit institutions that operate in healthcare, financial services, marketing, education, manufacturing, hospitality and legal services, impacting more than 2,000 individuals. She recently implemented the first MBSR program in Puerto Rico for teachers in one of the leading private schools, an exciting first step towards incorporating mindfulness-based practices for students and parents. Irma has also reached more than 800 individuals through her mindfulness community meditations and one-day workshops. Moreover, during the past 18 years, she has trained an average of 400 managers per year, and since 2006, she has served over 1,500 individuals through her Hatha Yoga and Meditation sessions. Her clients include leading institutions in Puerto Rico and the United States, which have led her to work abroad making her feel at home facilitating in Spanish and English, and in diverse work cultures.
She brings forth in every interaction her 25+ years of experience in corporate training and design, communication strategy, non-profit leadership, endurance sports competition, as well as over 18 years of contemplative practice. She is a certified Talent Optimization Coach, Hatha Yoga Instructor and presides the Board of Directors of Scuba Dogs Society, the leading environmental non-profit organization in Puerto Rico responsible for placing the Island consistently in the top 10 counties worldwide with most volunteer participation for mobilizing over 15,000 volunteers in the yearly International Coastal Clean Up sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. She feels deep gratitude with the unconditional love that surrounds her and is inspired by her family, especially her daughters, Alexandra and Roxana.
“The future we create emerges from the decisions we make now and we are making decisions moment by moment. My mindfulness practice enables me to meet the intricacies of life with curiosity, equanimity, discernment and compassion”.