Ruthi Byrne

Gala Co-Chair

Ruthi Zinn Byrne is a founder and sole owner of Zinn Graves & Field Inc., Public Relations and Marketing.  Over the past 42 years, as clients have become more diverse and demanding, she has led her firm beyond the mindset of traditional public relations and marketing into new areas of communications such as board governance consulting, public acceptance and public affairs strategizing, community relations, and crisis management.

Representative of her past and current client base are such organizations and firms as St. George’s University School of Medicine, University Hospital, St. Peter’s Healthcare System, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Trinitas Hospital, Barnabas Health, Urban League of Essex County, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Felician University, Drew University, Liberty Science Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Nico Kitchen + Bar, The Hilton Short Hills, PSE&G, Sun National Bank, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, General Motors Corporation, Lebenthal & Company, the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Dental School, PNC Bank, the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, New Jersey Network Public Television and Radio, the Garden State Cancer Center, The CIT Group, and Community Foundation of New Jersey. In addition, her clients have included Feitlowitz & Kosten Architects, Value Research Group, Greenberg Traurig, and Bendit Weinstock Counselors at Law.  Mrs. Byrne serves as a consultant for H.A.N.D.S., a non-profit group dedicated to the redevelopment of the Valley area of Orange and East Orange, New Jersey. Working with such clients, Mrs. Byrne and her expert staff have earned a reputation for professional work, political savvy and the ability to get things done effectively and with results.

Over the years, Ruthi Byrne has also played a major role in raising funds and increasing general support for many non-profits. In 2006, she led fundraising efforts for the Governor’s School program.  The three-week effort raised nearly two million dollars and kept the state program alive for talented high school students to have meaningful summer experiences.

In addition, Mrs. Byrne serves on the Boards of several non-profits, including the Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey Reentry Program, Luna Stage and the Drumthwacket Foundation Board. She is also a member of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, Rutgers Business School and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Advisory Boards, Greenwood Gardens and is a former member of the UMDNJ President’s Advisory Board.

She is the widow of former Governor of New Jersey, Brendan T. Byrne.