Speaking & Workshops

Inspiring Talks That Move People and Places

As a seasoned placemaker, cultural strategist, and food systems connector, I bring heart, clarity, and real-world stories to every stage I step onto. With over 15 years of community-building experience—from global summits to street breakfasts—I connect the dots between people, place, and possibility.
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Whether I’m keynoting a conference, leading a workshop, or facilitating a civic learning exchange, my talks are rooted in lived experience, full of practical insights, and infused with creative energy.

POPULAR TOPICS

Your community’s food system is powerful—but invisible.
​What if everyone could see it, support it, and grow it together?
✳️ Placemaking as Civic Imagination
How public space becomes a canvas for connection, equity, and joyful belonging

🍅 Edible Placemaking
Food as InfrastructureExploring how gardens, markets, and meals shape resilient, just communities

🌀 Culture in the Commons
Designing public platforms for cultural preservation, innovation, and celebration

🛠️ Community Activation 101
Tools and practices for turning community energy into shared momentum

🌍 Global Lessons in Local Action
What I’ve learned from Italy to Mexico to Appalachia about culture-led transformation

🗣️ Facilitation as Placemaking
​How great facilitation shapes space, unlocks voice, and fosters trust

FORMATS OFFERRED

🔹 Keynote Addresses
🔹 Conference Panels & Fireside Chats
🔹 Virtual Talks & Webinars
🔹 University Lectures
🔹 Workshops & Trainings
🔹 Civic Learning Exchanges

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

🌎 Placemaking Week Europe – Italy, Spain & France
🍽️ GrowNYC Summit – New York City, NY
📚 Warren Wilson Climate Summit – Asheville, NC
🌆 Congress for New Urbanism - Oklahoma City, OK
🇨🇦 Canadian Urban Institute Placemaking Report – Virtual
🏬​ Main Street Australia Centre Managers Conference - Virtual Keynote
🏫 Pratt Institute – Brooklyn, NY
🇳🇵 Tribhuvan University – Kathmandu, Nepal
🇳🇴 University of Stavanger – Stavanger, Norway
🇹🇭 Chulalongkorn University – Bangkok, Thailand
🇯🇵 Nihon University – Tokyo, Japan

WHY AUDIENCES CONNECT

  • Global Perspective, Local Application: Ryan’s experience in 45 countries and 200+ cities brings a rich, comparative lens
  • Interdisciplinary Insight: Bridging urbanism, culture, and community development
  • Food as Connector: Uses food to reveal community resilience and social infrastructure
  • Empowering & Engaging: Inspires students, professionals, and changemakers with warmth and action-ready ideas

PRICING

  • In-Person Engagement: $2,500 + travel expenses
  • Virtual Appearance: $1,000
  • Travel Support: Roundtrip airfare (economy+, aisle seat), 2+ night lodging, $75/day per diem
⬅️ Back to SERVICES 
Let’s co-create a moment that moves people and shifts place—because the right words in the right space can ignite lasting change.