Ryana manages the Community Engagement program’s budgeting, CRM tool use (Powerbase), evaluations, communications, and grants. Her role is highly collaborative and focuses on capacity-building. Ryana connects big-picture strategic goals with the detailed needs across departments. Sometimes referred to as “the glue” or “mycelium” of the organization by her colleagues, she is a good first point of contact for requests on the Community Engagement side of Hope. You can catch her jumping in at Hope events, supporting her colleagues in what they do best!

Ryana began at Hope in 2020. She left her home of Colorado to study math and English at St. Olaf College. She attributes much of her learning about the importance and power of strong community engagement processes to working and volunteering at a human rights organization in Mexico (ProDESC) and with a popular education organization in Chile (EPES).