Billy Ryan

Background

About Billy Ryan

As one of four kids within 20 months in age and parents that could strike up a conversation with anyone, competition and communication were at the center of my home. Who was the best and why were they the best? Sports, school, knowledge; nothing was off limits if you could prove it. I didn’t realize how that prepared me for later in life until my first fundraising appointment after college…with none other than my grandparents. I had to explain why I was choosing this path and how I planned to make a living out of it. My grandpa, a very successful insurance salesman, grilled me for an hour and I was NOT ready. Over a decade and thousands of first encounters later, I’ve been fortunate enough shake off those early struggles. I’ve refined my communication and problem solving skills to build meaningful, long lasting relationships with donors, volunteers, co-workers, and stakeholders that resulted in growth, impact, and revenue for my organization. Through my many experiences working internally and on the front lines, I’ve learned a lot about making an impact through my words and actions- While the first appointment matters a great deal, so does every interaction leading up to and after. Even if someone agrees to give, partner, or work with me, it’s just the beginning, and now they are watching even more closely. Once you communicate you can do something, you better deliver-Show up early, be gracious when they’re late, and be prepared for anything (even if/especially if it’s a friend or family member)-There may a better way to do it, but there is also a better way to say it. As someone who is constantly looking for new ideas and solutions, even the best idea needs to be communicated well, which includes active listening, to create buy-in. Out of the office, I’m probably hanging with my wife and kids and trying to get them to enjoy a wide array of hobbies/experiments that include making pizza and sometimes desserts, running off the pizza and sometimes desserts, playing/watching sports, and hopelessly trying to grow vegetables so I eat less pizza and desserts. If you’re looking for someone who gets excited about communication, problem solving, pizza, or providing gardening tips, send me a DM and I’ve love to connect!