Elia Canales Ruiz
Elia Canales Ruiz is a seasoned marketing and growth professional with over a decade of experience spanning financial services, fintech, e-commerce, and the leisure industry. She currently serves as a Communications Engineer at OneMain Financial, where she designs and optimizes conversational AI workflows to enhance customer engagement and automate communications. Elia is passionate about leveraging technology to drive growth, improve the customer experience, and implement data-driven strategies that deliver measurable results. Her expertise includes growth and lifecycle marketing, marketing automation, conversational AI, product marketing, and customer insight strategy.
An immigrant who arrived in the United States at age eight, Elia was the first in her family to earn a four-year college degree. She began her academic journey in ESL classes before earning an associate’s degree in Business Management from the College of Southern Nevada and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Throughout her career, she has cultivated a strong technical toolbox, including platforms such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Iterable, MailChimp, and WordPress, which she combines with cross-functional leadership skills to execute effective campaigns and drive business results.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Elia is committed to continuous learning, financial literacy, and being the voice of the customer. She holds certifications in digital marketing and product marketing, enjoys creative writing, fitness, and reading, and actively contributes to her church community. Looking forward, she aspires to reach a director-level position while taking on community board roles, further combining her professional expertise with a dedication to empowering others through knowledge and engagement.
• Advanced Product Marketing
• Product Marketing Foundations
• University of Nevada-Las Vegas - BBA
• One To Watch
• Champions Club 2018 Winner
• Champion's Club 2018 Finalist
• Church Community
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to remaining flexible and eager to know more. Throughout my 8 years in finance, I've learned that staying adaptable and maintaining a hunger for learning has been absolutely key. I'm always interested in understanding more, and I'm passionate about continuing to learn within my field. This eagerness to grow and evolve, combined with my flexibility in approaching challenges, has allowed me to navigate my career successfully. I think being open to new knowledge and not being rigid in my approach has made all the difference in getting to where I am today.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women just starting their career in this field is simple but important: Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't fear what you don't know, and know that there are always resources out there that can help you. I think so many people hold themselves back because they're worried about not knowing something, but the truth is, asking questions is how you learn and grow. There's no shame in seeking help or guidance - in fact, it's one of the smartest things you can do. The resources are out there, you just have to be willing to reach for them and not let fear of the unknown stop you from moving forward.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my professional and personal life are empowerment through financial literacy, a commitment to continuous learning, and adaptability. I prioritize being the voice of the customer and actively contributing to my community, as I believe meaningful impact comes from understanding others’ needs and giving back wherever possible.
Locations
OneMain Financial
Las Vegas, NV 89142