Vice Chair
Paul E. Ruffin was appointed to the Metra Board of Directors in June 2021 by suburban members of the Cook County Board and was elected Vice Chair in 2024.
Since joining Mercer, a Marsh McLennan company, in July 2022 as a Partner, Mr. Ruffin has become an integral member of Mercer leadership. He brings nearly 30 years of extensive experience in global and Fortune 500 account management, sales, and consultative selling, with a strong focus on human capital management consulting. His diverse expertise spans IT consulting, supply chain management, supplier diversity, and government and public sector initiatives within the insurance industry. He is recognized for his strategic insights in business development, sales processes, and process improvement, positioning him as a thought leader in his field.
At Mercer Health & Benefits, Mr. Ruffin is dedicated to advancing the Local Government, Education, and Not-for-Profit verticals. His leadership and commitment are pivotal in expanding Mercer's footprint in the government and public sector practice across the nation. In addition to his primary role, he serves as the Executive Sponsor for the Racial and Ethnic Diversity (R&ED) Business Resource Group and is actively engaged in the Global Black Colleagues Network at Mercer, championing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Beyond his responsibilities at Mercer, Mr. Ruffin contributes to the community as a Board Director for the Cook County Health Foundation in Chicago, where he supports fundraising efforts for local hospitals and serves on the Executive Committee.
Mr. Ruffin attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and the New School for Social Research in New York City. He is licensed in Life and Health/Accident insurance by the State of Illinois Department of Insurance. A proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he is also actively involved in his church, the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. He resides in the Chicagoland area with his family, where he continues to make a positive impact both professionally and personally.
