Ryan Nichols -  Former Guest Speaker at the Leadership Institute

As Associate Director of the Coalition Relations Department, Ryan Nichols serves as a liaison to non-partisan conservative organizations and coalitions around the country.

Nichols joined Heritage in 2011 with seven years of experience working in the conservative movement. After a year of working as a project manager in the construction industry he moved to Washington in 2004 and began his career at the Leadership Institute (LI). He served as Director of the Youth Leadership School and National Field Director. During his time at LI he managed a staff of 33 and delivered practical, information-packed leadership seminars to thousands of young adults.

He then worked for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) as the Director of Development for nearly three years.  He helped to double the organization’s budget and programming in each of his first two years. He represented CFACT as an NGO delegate at UN conferences around the globe and managed a record class of 252 conservative interns in one semester.

Nichols holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Wisconsin.  A native of Wisconsin, he currently resides in Virginia.

Ryan Nichols