Overview
Ryan is an award-winning disability advocate, speaker, and professional persuader with over a decade of experience ranging from work on Capitol Hill and in the federal government to positions with nonprofits and global public relations firms. His specialties include media relations, corporate communication, organizational branding, and crisis management.
Despite the fact that his favorite cinematic character is Ferris Bueller, or that he was once accused of cheating on his metaphysics exam by looking into the soul of the boy next to him, Ryan considers himself an advocate of fairness and hard work. Known for his tenacity, he knows the importance of pushing forward despite obstacles.
Advocacy and public voice
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, Ryan is an advocate for members of the disability community. Presenting globally to corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, Ryan infuses his passion for advocacy and knowledge of disability to help organizations create more inclusive workplaces. Communication through education and an ongoing dialogue are at the center of his approach to combat stigma and stereotypes surrounding disabilities.
Through various endeavors, both personal and professional, Ryan’s advocacy aims to raise awareness, influence public policy, and spur social change. Ryan’s advocacy has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, FOX News, and the nationally syndicated column Savage Love. Ryan’s work also earned him a spot on LinkedIn’s “Top Voices in Disability Advocacy” in 2022.
In 2024, Ryan was featured in the book Dateable: Swiping Right, Hooking Up, and Settling Down While Chronically Ill and Disabled by Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp, where he shared his insights and experiences on dating with a disability.
If a system keeps putting people against a wall, Ryan starts asking who built it—and why it’s still standing.
Federal service
Ryan serves as a Public Affairs Specialist at the United States Department of Labor within the Division of Media and Editorial Services, directing and coordinating public and employee communications. Serving as an agency spokesperson, Ryan works with media to promote agency policies, programs, and initiatives, and drafts communication on behalf of executive leadership.
Prior to joining the Department of Labor, Ryan spent nearly a decade with the United States Patent and Trademark Office promoting American innovation and protecting the value of intellectual property through myriad roles. As a Writer-Editor in the Office of International Patent Cooperation, Ryan drafted and edited pivotal documents surrounding patent classification and standards.
Previously, with the Service Desk Operations Division, Ryan served as the Internal Communications Manager, working on the planning, development, and execution of communication within the division and across the agency related to information technology services. As a Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of the Chief Communications Officer, Ryan worked to inform the public and key stakeholders about the valuable role of intellectual property throughout the country and around the world.
Through his relationship with the media, Ryan promoted the agency’s key initiatives and helped drive American innovation. His work also focused on internal communication to the agency’s 13,000 employees, with an emphasis on employee engagement.
Ryan’s federal service began with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, as part of a dedicated team serving the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and helping educate the public about key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Ryan’s work included the development of communication strategies related to the promotion of the ACA, including branding strategy, media targeting, and audience outreach, particularly through social media.
Consulting and education
Ryan is the founder of Wild Pitch Media, a public communication consulting firm. Emphasizing both new and traditional media, Wild Pitch Media consults with clients on organizational communication and branding. From research and audience targeting to message strategy and tactics, the firm empowers clients with tools to produce compelling, results-oriented communication.
Ryan holds a master’s degree in Strategic Communication from American University in Washington, D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Puget Sound in Washington state.