Ryan stumbled upon speechwriting at the age of 17. Inspired by the story of Pat Tillman, Ryan took it upon himself to write and deliver a eulogy for the football player-turned-soldier. It won an award at a national high school speech competition, and he hasn’t stopped writing since. Thrilled to be part of the team at 1150 Connecticut Avenue, Ryan now helps pen speeches for high-profile CEOs, heads of the world’s largest non-profits, and some federal-level politicians too. He earned his BA from Yale University, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. A History major, Ryan wrote his thesis on the speeches of Robert F. Kennedy; led the school’s mock trial program; and often played Springsteen music too loudly in the library. He is originally from the great state of New Jersey.