In 2010, Ryan’s first foray into start-ups was his co-founding of Promontory Healthcare, an early adopter in moving expensive post-acute care out of a hospital setting and into standalone transitional care centers across America. His expertise in market analysis, financial underwriting, and real estate development laid the groundwork for the company’s growth, as he led the full cycle of concept to delivery for an array of TCUs in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

Ryan moved on to work with Fortress Investment Group (NYSE: FIG) and Newcastle REIT overseeing the Holiday Retirement portfolio. During Ryan’s tenure, he managed a team of 30 professionals to integrate over $1 billion in acquired senior housing assets, reporting directly to the CEO. He was also instrumental in developing Holiday Retirement’s Assisted Living platform as the Chair of the Steering Committee, emphasizing his foresight in senior care evolution.

As the President and Chief Development Officer for Avamere Group, Ryan’s vision gave rise to his next start-up, PDCo, enhancing the group’s trajectory in seniors housing, home health, and hospice services. Under his guidance, Avamere grew its portfolio size from 45 to 67 communities, growing all the way to $1 billion in revenue and 10,000 employees. His founding of the Ovation brand was instrumental through his studying under the leadership of the Ritz Carlton Leadership Academy. He also played a critical role in growing Signature Home Health and Hospice from a two-state to a five-state regional leader in at-home care. He successfully fundraised in excess of $300 million of capital during his tenure.

In 2019, Ryan launched the WELL Companies (“WELL”), ushering in a new era of senior living with several innovative brands such as Varcity, America’s first brand to build intergenerational housing in college campuses. This pioneering venture sought to redefine housing for Baby Boomers, culminating in significant media attention from the New York Times and Daily Beast. Ryan was also an invited speaker at NASDAQ, discussing innovative ways society can break down ageism through housing. Later that year, Ryan was an invited guest speaker at the Vatican to address the importance of intergenerational relationships between the oldest and youngest generations. Ryan created rare joint ventures with top firms in America such as Delos, the International Well Building Institute, and Mission Wealth to carry out WELL’s ethos. In 2023, Ryan completed the sale of the firm to an NFL family.

Currently, Ryan’s entrepreneurial spirit lives on through h/care, a venture he co-founded in 2023 with Geoff Schackmann. This latest endeavor marries generative AI with in-home technology to revolutionize home health and hospice care. Positioned as a high-touch, high-tech, high-trust deliverer of home-based care, h/care aims to address the inefficiencies plaguing the industry, aligning with Ryan’s enduring commitment to improve care delivery and experience for older adults. h/care marks Ryan’s third career venture in the home health and hospice space, a critical element to the future of how Boomers will age.

Ryan has established himself as a visionary in entrepreneurship, with his engaging lectures on business creation, eldercare, and development strategies drawing audiences at prominent universities across the country. His commitment extends to serving as a revered guest speaker at various universities each year. Beyond lecturing, Ryan actively participates in the Young Presidents Organization (“YPO”) Bluegrass Chapter and is the pioneering founder and Forum Moderator of YPO’s international home health and hospice forum. Ryan is a native Nebraskan, a lifelong learner, an effusive believer in better, a tenacious problem solver, and a seamster for efficiency in all of his business endeavors.