Ruth Stewart holds a B.A. degree from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Certificate in Humanitarian Leadership from Deakin University.
Mrs Stewart is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and most recently served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh. She has previously served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Yangon and Second Secretary at the Australian Embassy in Stockholm.
She has held a range of positions in Canberra, including serving as director of the ASEAN Section and director of the Myanmar Section.