About Squaretree
“Ruth brings creative, strategic thinking to any challenge. Her inquisitive, inclusive nature made her a joy to work with.”
Ruth Hamberg, Founder & Owner
Ruth Hamberg created Squaretree after nine years working in nonprofit communications, development and stakeholder engagement.
With a background blending research, leadership development and the arts, Ruth partners with a broad network to lift up changemakers’ stories.
Along with Squaretree, Ruth supports social change through these roles:
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of the Twin Cities Board Member and Treasurer (past Communications Chair and National Liaison)
Minnesota Rising Identity-based Leadership Facilitator
Art of Hosting facilitator
Next in Nonprofits Connections Consultant
dance•werking movement-based leadership program co-founder
Previously, Ruth managed stakeholder and digital engagement for Minnesota Compass, a project of Wilder Research. Before joining Wilder, she worked in media relations and marketing at Greater Twin Cities United Way and held internships at a microfinance institution (Ecuador), human services agency (West Central Minnesota) and social business (India). In 2017, Ruth co-managed the organizational transition of a nonprofit in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Research
The best impacts come through a combined lens of rigorous analysis and intuitive adaptation. Ruth’s research experience includes:
On-site qualitative research on the role of trust in client experience in a microfinance institution
Social enterprise and “second act” career opportunities for socially-minded retirees
Demographic research on the sex ratio in northwestern India
Secondary research on best practices in data utilization
Focus groups, key informant interviews and demographic research for civic, nonprofit and business clients across Minnesota
Publications
Community Indicators Project Development Guide (2019)
“Collaboration to Promote Use of Community Indicators: Communication Is Key” in Community Quality-of-Life Indicators: Best Cases VII (Springer 2017).
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with Honors (minors in Biology and Management), University of Minnesota, Morris
StrengthsFinder
Context, Developer, Input, Intellection, Individualization
“Our creative events company was in need of additional event and project management support. Ruth became an invaluable member of our team. She highly exceeded our expectations, seamlessly integrated into our systems and work culture, and took the initiative to create or improve systems and processes that we were lacking. ”
The Squaretree story
After studying the science of collaboration and the art of social change—and learning from the wisdom of practitioners around the world—Ruth created Squaretree to promote the holistic nature of social change and storytelling.
The SQUARE represents the rigorous quantitative approach and strategic focus required to identify priorities and drive positive change.
The TREE honors the context in which change occurs: the ecosystem of relationships, values, constraints, opportunities and goals that together make up the spaces in which our work takes place.
Our impact is strongest when we hone in on strategic priorities — all while considering how our priorities connect to their broader environment.
Not sure which connections you need to make your work grow to the next level? Get in touch.