Global Business Leader Reflects on His Journey from Georgia Tech to the World
Guillermo Ruiz (CHE 1998), a global business executive, rekindled his relationship with Georgia Tech in 2023 while touring college campuses with his daughter. Spending an all-day visit at Tech served as a powerful reminder of the profound impact the Institute had on his life.
“During the visit, it hit me how much Georgia Tech had changed the trajectory of my life,” said Ruiz, Global Vice President of Polyolefins Sourcing at Vinmar International and Co-Founder and Managing Partner at MoreThan Capital.
For Ruiz, Georgia Tech was more than an academic institution—it was a proving ground that shaped his resilience, character, and drive. His years on campus instilled in him a relentless work ethic, problem-solving skills, and the confidence to take on challenges across the world. The experience also taught him that relationships matter and that ultimately business is about having the right people at the table.
A Family’s Leap of Faith
Born in Lima, Peru, Ruiz moved to the U.S. in 1979 at the age of three. His father, a master chess player and former National Champion of Peru, was invited to compete in the Georgia State Chess Championship and later became part of a team of chess masters integrating chess into public school curricula. However, when that program dissolved, his parents started from scratch, launching their own house-cleaning business.
From an early age, Ruiz embraced the values of hard work and sacrifice.
“I can show you how to clean windows and vacuum with perfect lines better than anyone you know,” he said with a smile. “Growing up in an immigrant family, we all worked together. I spent evenings, weekends, and vacation breaks helping my parents. My goal was always to ensure that their sacrifices were honored and repaid.”
Ruiz said that while his father instilled discipline and strategic thinking, his mother had an equally profound influence on his character.
“My mother taught me to treat people with kindness and, just as importantly, and how to be authentic and to treat people with dignity and respect,” Ruiz said. “She has this incredible ability to bring warmth into any situation, and she showed me that success isn’t just about intellect or drive—it’s about connecting with people in an authentic way.”
One of his proudest moments came at graduation when he placed his cap and gown on his father, who had not been able to complete his own college education. He then embraced his mother and sister for a photo in front of the Ramblin’ Wreck—a moment that symbolized the family’s journey and triumph.
Distinguished Alumni Honor
Recently inducted into Georgia Tech’s Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni, Ruiz credits his college years with preparing him for the challenges of a global career.
“Tech was brutal at times, there were several moments that I thought about changing out of Chemical Engineering” he admitted. “Balancing coursework with multiple jobs taught me resilience. Anything worth achieving requires sacrifice and persistence.”
That persistence has defined his career—and his personal life.
“I think I have incredible perseverance,” he said, laughing. “For example, I asked my wife for a first date five times before she said yes.”
A Career Built on Global Relationships
After graduating with a degree in chemical engineering, Ruiz moved to Houston, where he met his wife, Lisa Beth, a fellow chemical engineer. He spent eight years in technical sales roles before being approached in 2005 by the founders of Vinmar International, who offered him the opportunity to move to Amsterdam to establish the company’s European division.
For the next 15 years, Ruiz developed trade networks across the Middle East and throughout Asia.
“Almost everywhere there is a petrochemical plant, I have been there many times over,” he said.
Ruiz at Alumni Awards and Induction Ceremony in March 2025
As Global Vice President of Polyolefins Sourcing at Vinmar, Ruiz leads global buy-side strategy and manages relationships with the company’s most important partners. He is a member of the executive leadership team, where his ability to build and maintain trust is crucial to the company’s long-term success.
“I’ve always believed that business is about people," he said. "Relationships built on integrity and mutual respect create lasting success.”
Lifelong Learning and Entrepreneurship
In 2019, Ruiz attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, a transformational experience that connected him with 175 global executives from more than 40 industries. But for Ruiz, the program was more than just an education—it was an opportunity to build something lasting.
“I thought, once we’re done, what are we going to do? Just send happy birthday messages?” he said.
Instead, he spearheaded the creation of AMP Investment Partners LLC, an investment club leveraging the collective expertise of its members. The club grew to 100 members and significantly outperformed global benchmarks.
This success led to the launch of MoreThan Capital, a Luxembourg-based venture capital firm that brings together more than 150 global executives who form a community investing their capital, time, and networks into promising ventures.
“Our purpose is to leverage our collective knowledge and global reach to identify unique investment opportunities,” he explained. “At the core of MoreThan Capital is a shared belief in lifelong learning and giving back.”
Originally the community was built exclusively of Harvard Business School alumni. Now, Georgia Tech alumni have begun joining the initiative, bringing another layer of depth to its mission and it is open to exceptional individual who have shared values and interest in private market investing, Ruiz said.
Family and Legacy
Despite his demanding career, Ruiz prioritizes family. His experiences living in Europe and the tight-knit family he grew up in taught him the importance of quality time, and he’s made it a cornerstone of his family’s traditions.
“I’ve told my kids that if they want their college tuition covered, they have to go on family vacations every year,” he joked.
His daughter, Diana, is now a first-year student at the University of Texas at Austin, studying economics and finance. His son, William, is considering Georgia Tech and UT-Austin for chemical engineering, following in his parents’ footsteps.
Ruiz remains deeply connected to his alma mater, proudly displaying his love for Tech on his car’s license plate: GTCHEME.
“Georgia Tech wasn’t just where I got my degree,” Ruiz reflected. “It’s a place that is part of the foundation that is core to the person I am today.”