Meet Ryan

I am an active AUSD parent, husband/father, artist, foster youth advocate, author and PTA leader. I have worked most of my life to create better outcomes for those in need and will continue to do so as an AUSD board trustee. I have been active in school leadership for more than 5 years and proud of the work we have done to make our schools stronger, more inclusive safe havens for our students, teachers, staff and families.

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Experience and Leadership in Our Alameda Schools:

2015 - 2017: Elected member, Edison School Site Council (SSC) (Alameda, CA), 1 year Vice President, 1 year Secretary.

2016 - 2018: Edison School PTA Executive Board, (Alameda, CA), 1 year Edison PTA President, 1 year Edison PTA Diversity and Inclusion Co-chair, and 1 year Fundraising Co-Chair.

2017 - 2018 & 2021-2022: Executive Board, Alameda PTA Council, 1 year Treasurer, half-year Auditor, currently President since 2021.

2015 - 2017: Member of the AUSD Black Achievers Alliance Roundtable

2017 - 2018: Member of AUSD Social Emotional Learning and Anti-Bias/Anti-Bullying/Equity Committee

2015 - 2018: Edison Art Docent, Special Day Art Program

2016: AUSD Principal Hiring Committee (Edison Elementary)

2016:  Organizing member of the committee for Measure B1 (Edison)

2017 - 2018: Member of the AUSD Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council

2020-2022: PTA Equity Project leadership team

2021: Member of the AUSD SEP (Special Education Plan) Committee

2021: Appointed to the Measure I Bond Oversight Committee

2021: Currently a Member of the LGBTQ+ Roundtable - Co-chair

2021: Currently a Member of Alameda Mosaic

About Ryan:

I was born and raised on our family's farm in a small rural town in Michigan. At the age of 10, my parents divorced and I learned what it was like to be a latchkey kid in town. I loved walking to school and spending time at the library - where I helped the librarian check out and restock books.

I was a super nerd and loved going to school - no matter how difficult some days were. I attended public schools from kindergarten through college. My grandmother was a public school teacher her entire career and I have fond memories spending many days at the end of my summer break helping in her classroom and designing her bulletin boards. I graduated with honors from my local high school and went on to college, graduating with honors from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design. My college years were full of growth, self-discovery and inspiration. It is also when I met Chris, my husband and partner of almost 27 years.

I moved to Washington DC after graduation and worked in public relations for health and environmental clients focusing on children’s mental health, women’s reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention, climate change and family farming. As a creative director, I helped build brands for non-profits and build awareness of important issues facing the US.

After the birth of our son, we moved to Illinois to pursue new career opportunities and be a little closer to family. While in Illinois, I continued to work to build brands and began focusing on another passion as a court appointed advocate for youth in foster care. I continue this work today, advocating daily for the foster kids I have been assigned - the work has been life changing. 

In 2015, we moved to Alameda. Drawn to the small town feel, neighborhood schools and proximity to San Francisco, Alameda was our dream and we were so lucky to be able to find a home here. I am a stay-at-home dad and artist and very fortunate to be able to put my fine arts degree in action daily and create art that engages, resonates and tells stories.

And I have worked to give back to the town we love by being involved in school advocacy, PTA and other community organizations. I was on Edison Elementary School Site Council for two years and worked to develop the district's LCAP goals. I continued this work, by taking on the Edison PTA president role, and DEI co-chair where I worked with an amazing team of parents and teachers and to create more effective communications and programming with a strong focus on inclusion. I then took on the role of Alameda PTA Council (PTAC) Treasurer and later auditor.  I eventually had the privilege to take on the role of PTAC President, which I have held  since 2021, a crucial time for strong leadership as our students returned to the classroom. My focus as President of PTAC has been to help our PTA’s rebuild the momentum lost during the pandemic.

Most recently, I led the Yes on Measure B campaign with AUSD Board President Jennifer Williams. I am so proud of the work the team did to engage a broad coalition of Alameda residents and ultimately garner the passage of Measure B, which will benefit every student with modernized middle schools, fully renovated high schools, and upgraded sports and arts facilities. 

I am so excited about what the future holds and engaging with the students, families and community about this opportunity for me to be a bold voice for better outcomes for ALL students.

Other Board/Elected Board Experience:

1995 — 1997:  Elected Assemblymember, University of Michigan Student Assembly, Art School Representative and Chair/Creator of LGBT Commission (the first LGBTQ+commission created on any college campus in the US) (Ann Arbor, Michigan).

2002 — 2008: Board of Directors, COLAGE International (an advocacy organization for children of LGBTQ+ parents)  (San Francisco),  Board Treasurer 2 years, Board Chair 2 years, Board Recruitment Chair 1 year. 

2006 — 2008: Board of Directors, Dani Tai Soon Burgess & Co., Korean-American Dance Company (Washington, DC) 2 years, Communications Chair.

2009 — 2012:  Goddard School (Preschool) Parent Advisory Board President (Vernon Hills, IL).

My Community/Civic Participation:

2015 - current: Participant in ArtWalk 2nd Fridays

2015 - current: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for youth in foster care

2016 - 2018: Alameda Welfare Council, Yard Sale Volunteer

2016 - 2018 - Volunteer/Communications, Food Shift, Alameda non-profit

2020 - current: Alameda City: Helped build communications materials for  COVID-19 memorial event, LGBTQ+ Small-Business Pride Month, 911 Alternatives, and Alameda Recreation and Parks Department Chochenyo Park interpretive signage

Presently:

Member of the City of Alameda Democratic Club

Member of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

Member of the East Bay Stonewall Democrats

Member of Alameda’s League of Women Voters

Member of Bike/Walk Alameda

Member of Transform Alameda