Dr. Elaine Ruiz- Lopez is the Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of the International Leadership Charter High School. Dr. Ruiz- Lopez was born and raised in the South Bronx and is first generation Puerto Rican and first in her family to graduate from college. She has worked in the field of education since 1980. During her career, she has held various leadership positions in public schools and universities. She earned her Doctorate in Special Education/Administration and second Masters of Education from Teachers College at Columbia University, a Master of Science in Bilingual Special Education from Bank Street College of Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from The City College of New York.

In 2005, she founded the International Leadership Charter High School with the goals of creating a college prep charter high school that delivers an academically rigorous environment. Dr. Ruiz Lopez’ model has resulted in over 95% of its scholars graduating within four years and enrolling in the college of their choice. The International Leadership CHS is in its 18th year of operation and has received numerous accolades nationally and locally, as the best Charter High School in the Bronx. Over the past 12 years, the charter school has received national recognition by US NEWS & WORLD REPORT and ranked among its Best High Schools category.

Dr. Ruiz-Lopez' vision has expanded to include a middle school that opened in the Fall of 2024 and plans to track of 100 Alumni and Post college graduates who will take on leadership positions within their communities and institutions. In 2017, Dr. Ruiz-Lopez was one of the recipients of the Distinguished Women Award (Mujeres Destacadas) presented by El Diario, the largest Spanish daily newspaper organization in the country. In 2022, she was recognized by the Attorney General Leticia James and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, as one of 100 Bronx Power Women. In 2023 she received the Educator of Excellence Award from the Black Latinx Asian Charter Coalition (BLACC). She was recently recognized by the President of Hostos Community College, Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis for her work in fighting for Bilingual Education and supporting the education of immigrant students. Dr. Ruiz Lopez is a founding member of the Latino Charter Leaders Roundtable and its current Chair.