Sharon G. Ryan
Community Volunteer
Philanthropist

Sharon Ryan's long history of volunteer work and community service includes leadership positions in support of education, the arts, and social agencies serving the needs of families and children.

Her efforts have resulted in millions of dollars raised for the betterment of the community both here in Minnesota and on the East Coast, where she has her roots.

Locally, Ms. Ryan serves as chair of the United Theological Seminary board of trustees. She is a past vice chair of  the board of directors for Tubman Family Alliance, for which she chaired a $12 million capital campaign in support of a facility to provide abused families with housing, health facilities, education, and occupational skills training.

Her other board memberships have included Penumbra Theatre, African-American Family Services, and chair of the trustees for Breck Episcopal College Preparatory School.  Ms. Ryan also co-chaired the Minneapolis St. Paul Links’ 2008 Harlem Renaissance-themed gala, which raised $100,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Links Scholarship Fund.

Ms. Ryan studied occupational therapy at Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Services at Boston University. She has served on the Boston University board of trustees and is currently chair of the Student Affairs Committee and a member of the executive committee. She was co-chair of the Marsh Plaza Renovation Project, which included the restoration of a sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who earned his doctorate from Boston University. She also chaired a multi-million dollar campaign to renovate a brownstone dormitory on the campus to house Sargent College students studying rehabilitation medicine.

Ms. Ryan was elected to the board of directors of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation in November 2002, for a three-year term. She was elected vice president of the foundation in 2004 and re-elected to the position in 2007.