Ryan is originally from Iowa, and he has lived four years in Atlanta. He runs the LGBTQ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights where he heads the work of connecting academics and advocates to advance LGBTQ equity through research and education focused on the American South. He likes hiking and spending time with friends – and he’s a big movie buff. Other hobbies include kayaking, reading, painting, drawing, and traveling. You can follow this purposeful guy on Instagram @rm_roe.