Ruth Ann Harnisch

Honorary degrees Harnisch has received two honorary doctorates. On June 1, 2011, she was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Baruch College in New York City. and worked as an op-ed columnist

After retiring from her career in journalism, Harnisch became chair of More Than Money, a national nonprofit helping the wealthy invest in philanthropy. While with More Than Money she developed an interest in the organization's coaching program, and began studying the field of professional coaching herself. in 1998 Harnisch created the Harnisch Foundation, becoming the organization's president. "social innovation," was covered on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Today Show.

In 2006 and she subsequently funded the annual International Coaching Research Forum, the Coaching Commons, and the formation of the Center for Sustainable Journalism at Kennesaw State University, at Baruch College. Recruiting professional coaches to coach TED fellows for free, SupporTED later led to the TED Fellows Collaboratorium events. which distributes weekly $1,000 grants to project creators. Harnisch has invested in women-owned startups. The Harnisch Foundation underwrites professional coaching programs to "support women in their leadership," and in 2014 she supported the Sundance Women Filmmakers Initiative Fellows with funds for personal coaching and mentoring. The Harnisch Foundation "refocused its mission on helping women and girls" in late 2014, also publishing a feature on her through its Women's History Month series. Also that month Harnisch hosted a workshop with Feminist.com and launched #NotJustAStat, an online campaign featuring celebrities such as Lena Dunham and Gloria Feldt. and 2016 Harnisch and her foundation created the Funny Girls initiative, which involves teaching leadership through improv. Harnisch remains head of the Harnisch Foundation.

Directorships and memberships Harnisch has been or remains involved with organizations related to philanthropy, women's rights, journalism, and professional coaching. Early in her career Harnisch joined the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the board of the SPJ's nonprofit arm, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation. the Film and Media Circle of the Women Donors Network, and the Women Moving Millions (WMM) organization, where by 2014 she was co-chairing's WMM's Film Circle, She is also a member of Rachel's Network. She is also a current member of the International Women's Forum, American Women in Radio and Television, and the Buffalo Broadcasters Association.

Personal life Ruth Ann Harnisch and her husband William Harnisch maintain a residence in Southampton, New York.

Recognition

2011 - Honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Baruch College 2012 - Honorary doctorate from Kennesaw State University 2014 - Forty over 40 List of Women - honors "women who are upending the perception that 40 is past your prime" 2017 - Good Housekeeping - Ten Power Players Blazing New Trails Beyond The Boardroom 2008 - Harvard Coaching Conference - first recipient of the Vision of Excellence Award 2016 - The International Association of Coaching - Lifetime Achievement Award

Production history 2014 - The Sand Storm (short by Jason Wishnow) - associate producer 2015 - The Hunting Ground (documentary by director Kirby Dick) - executive producer 2017 - Unrest (feature film by director Jennifer Brea) - executive producer 2017 - Lucky (feature film by director John Carroll Lynch) - executive producer 2017 - Love the Sinner (feature film by director Jessica Devaney) - executive producer 2017 - Columbus (feature film by director Kogonada) - executive producer 2017: The House of Tomorrow (feature by director Peter Livolsi) - executive producer 2024: An Unfinished Journey - producer 2025: Sister Senators (documentary by Emily Harrold) - executive producer