About Us

Ryan is the co-founder of the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program. For Ryan, inclusion is not just an ideal but a personal mission shaped by his own experiences. Having faced social challenges growing up, he understands the impact of exclusion and the importance of creating welcoming spaces for everyone. These experiences instilled in him a profound empathy for those who feel isolated and a determination to foster environments where everyone feels valued and supported.

A vivid memory from his junior high years, after moving to a new school in a foreign country, exemplifies this. During lunch breaks, Ryan often found himself alone, observing groups of students effortlessly engaging while he felt the weight of distant stares and struggled to belong. This challenging period taught him the critical value of inclusivity and inspired his mission to ensure no one else feels the same isolation.

To Ryan, inclusion means building spaces where every individual is seen, heard, and valued, while actively embracing diversity. His commitment to inclusion has driven him to step beyond his comfort zone, connecting with others and cultivating a sense of belonging.

Ryan’s journey in philanthropy began at the age of eight, traveling each summer with his family and volunteers to impoverished rural areas. Meeting children in need of support left a lasting impact, transforming him from a young volunteer into a dedicated advocate for meaningful change. Ryan believes in the power of collective action and aims to inspire young people to join him in creating a more inclusive and connected world, proving that united efforts can drive positive change on a larger scale.

Zack Ruize is the co-founder of the Next Generation Philanthropy Leadership Program, where he empowers youth to engage in impactful philanthropic initiatives and create meaningful change. Zack has been deeply passionate about philanthropy from a young age, inspired by his parents, particularly his mother, who worked extensively with communities in rural China. A pivotal moment in Zack’s journey was a trip to Guangxi, China, which profoundly changed his understanding of poverty. Before that experience, he associated poverty with homelessness or a lack of basic needs. However, visiting the village revealed a deeper level of hardship. Despite their struggles, the villagers greeted Zack and his family with warmth, offering them a simple meal of rice and bread, and teaching Zack a powerful lesson about resilience and kindness.

Over time, Zack began volunteering alongside his mother during these visits, helping verify families’ financial situations to ensure that donations reached those most in need. These experiences instilled in him a deep sense of gratitude for the privileges he once took for granted—education, food security, and stable living conditions—and inspired him to view these advantages as opportunities to drive meaningful change.

His ambition is to follow in his mother’s footsteps, using the knowledge and resources he gains to give back to communities similar to those he encountered in Guangxi. He is committed to supporting education initiatives in under-resourced areas and providing resources for future generations. This dedication to service drives Zack’s active involvement in projects aimed at improving education and supporting underserved communities, with the goal of creating real, lasting change.