Ryan grew up in San Rafael, California. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Global Peace and Security. Ryan has traveled to over 30 countries around the world including Liberia, where he filmed his second short documentary film Eco Snapshot: Liberia. In combination with making social and environmental documentary films, Ryan founded a freelance video production company making various videos for companies throughout the Bay Area. Ryan has had a passion for Kiva ever since his wife Karen was selected to be a Kiva Fellow at the end of 2009.