| Tim Ryan |
 Tim Ryan was born and raised in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He attended Boston College, graduating with a degree in Finance. Upon graduating, Tim moved to New York City where he worked as an associate, covering Financial Institutions within the Debt Capital Markets group of RBS Greenwich Capital. In 2009, he returned to the New England area to get his MBA at Harvard Business School. Upon graduation, he again returned to New York where he is an associate within the mergers and acquisition advisory practice of Evercore Partners. In the spring of 2007, Tim and two fellow Boston College alumni embarked on a seven day, 150 mile journey through the Gobi Desert in the Kashgar region of China. The race took them through 1,000 foot sand dunes, 100 degree temperature swings and harrowing traverses, with only the equipment and food on their backs. Before they left, the group contemplated the magnitude of the event and the region of the world where their journey would take them. They decided they wanted to give back to the very people from whom they would learn. In considering how to do so, they decided to dedicate their efforts to orphaned and disadvantaged children in China. They looked for an organization working to assist these children in a positive and sustainable way and, thinking globally, one whose work could be modeled for children in other parts of the world. It was essential to them that the organization they chose be dedicated to the well-being of children who would likely not be adopted out of their circumstances but who would face the challenge of entering their own society with purpose and dignity. After careful consideration they chose to partner with The Grace Children's Foundation (TGCF) and on June 17, 2007, Grace's Eagles began their journey, or rather took flight, across the desert. After a successful fund-raising campaign, Tim realized that he had been so moved by the people he had met and the dedication he witnessed on the part of TGCF that he wanted to work with The Grace Children's Foundation. The goals of the organization and the passion of its members were not something that he could leave behind. Tim has always felt that all of the world's problems could be solved with increased education opportunities, improved health care and most importantly, hope, for those in such dire need. The Grace Children's Foundation's mission of providing medical care, education and humanitarian aid falls directly in line with his core beliefs. Tim was honored when asked to join TGCF's Board of Directors. Tim Ryan is the point person for TGCF’s Youth Initiative which works with students and young professionals, young people from across America and China, to raise awareness and funds to support the Foundation’s programs and TGCF’s Resource Exchange Center on behalf of the children who wait. |
