Ruhlman was being considered for a highly specialized role—something very focused within the interest rate mortgage market. It might sound niche, but it was a critical position. A bit technical, sure, but it was his dream job. He had even written several Masters level course Books on the subject.
He went through all the interviews—met with Jerome Powell, Lael Brainard, and others. Everything was going well. But just before the final interview, someone guiding him through the process—the person kind of shepherding his candidacy—pulled him aside and said, “You really need to play up your disability from Stroke.. That’s what we’re looking for. We want someone who can help us meet our diversity goals.
Ruhlman said, I know this subject better than anyone. And now you’re telling me to sell my disability instead of my expertise?” He was offended. He walked away from the opportunity.
And we—meaning the American taxpayers who fund these institutions—lost a top-tier talent. Now multiply that kind of situation across every corner of government, academia, and policy. We’re not hiring the best people. That slows down innovation, weakens research, and clogs up institutions. It’s a creeping decay. A rot.
So how do you fix it? You stop pretending everything’s fine. You act—meaningfully. If that means calling out Harvard or threatening the system it profits from as a bloated, corporate-like structure masquerading as an educational leader, then so be it.
Because people still look to Harvard as a standard. But when that standard no longer represents excellence—when it becomes about checking boxes instead of leading boldly—then we have to shake the system awake. We need these institutions to live up to their responsibility. And if that takes a wake-up call? Then let’s give it to them.