NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TVC) — Rachel Cruze, Ramsey Solutions Personality and Alum for UT’s College of Communication and Information was inducted this fall in UT’s 40 under 40 Class of 2026. Cruze, a long-time podcast host, public speaker, and digital content creator found her passion for teaching from the stage long before she stepped onto UT Campus.
“Back in high school I traveled with my dad and speaking at events so I kind got this knack for public speaking,” Cruze said. “That passion, and studying communications, and then colliding with this real-world experience I had with people my own age when it comes to money I thought I can maybe bring some education to the next generation.”
Cruze was never a stranger to the personal finance industry. Her father, Dave Ramsey, CEO of Ramsey Solutions and personal finance expert remembers Rachel as someone born for the stage.
“We put her on stage almost immediately, ” Ramsey said. “She was always the kid that was fun, and funny, never met a stranger, and her eyes always got a light in them…[she] obviously has matured in a wonderful young woman.”
As Cruze’s presence in the industry grew, and she expanded her content across multiple platforms, she found that her message changes to reflect the changes in her personal life.
“My message kind of grew with me, because I got married, had kids, and creating content around my life and what I was experiencing so it grew to what it was,” Cruze said.
Cruze knows, the key to success, is to just be yourself.
“Relax and be yourself. I think that for so long in my career I had to say something that would win people over, or sound good, or even my dad who is such a big personality like his jokes sometimes I would use his jokes on stage! I wanted it to work so bad,” Cruze said. “The more comfortable I was with who I am, and my voice, life was so much more peaceful.”
And what better way to remember your success then through recognition with your alma mater? Cruze attended her induction ceremony for 40 Under 40 in Knoxville earlier in the fall
“I felt so honored. I love UT so just so thankful that they recognized me. So kind.”
You can follow Rachel Cruze on instagram @rachelcruze.
