Ruth is a registered architect who has been professionally practicing for over 40 years within private companies, large organizations and since November 2005, in her own practice specializing in heritage architecture including the assessment, management, conservation and development of sites of heritage significance. In recognition of her contribution to the profession, Ruth was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2001.

The complexity of heritage significance in architecture, the buildings, their fabric, their settings and their adaptive re-use is a passion that Ruth has followed throughout her career and she has won numerous awards from the AIA and the National Trust for her work.

Ruth was a member of the Queensland Heritage Council from 2001 to 2009 and is currently on the Heritage Committee of the Qld Chapter of the AIA.