Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Ryan studied finance and poverty studies at the University of Notre Dame. Prior to Princeton, he worked as an Innovative Finance Analyst for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, where he had exposure to many of the organization’s vast array of issue areas, including economic empowerment, early childhood education, sexual violence support, housing and homelessness, and mental health and wellness. As an analyst, Ryan assessed the financial viability and potential impact of new strategic initiatives, evaluated growth opportunities for existing program areas, and led research efforts for finance-based solutions that could increase the organization’s capacity to advance social change. During graduate school, Ryan is interested in exploring the role that innovative finance can play in responding to climate change and hopes to work in climate finance after graduation.