Ryan D. Thompson
Strategic Communications Leader
Frederick,MD
Summary
Communications leader with 25 years of experience developing and executing high-impact strategies that drive awareness, engagement, and action for environmental and sustainability initiatives. Expertise in storytelling, digital media, strategic messaging, and content development, with a track record of leading high-performing teams, empowering team members to amplify their impact, and delivering innovative communication solutions for global organizations. I aspire to contribute my skills to ambitious projects that tackle complex environmental and social issues.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Deputy Chief of Party and Communications Director
DAI
Bethesda, MD
10.2024 - Current
- Program: USAID Advancing Capacity for the Environment (ACE)
- Led the development and implementation of a multi-channel communications strategy supporting 11 USAID operating units, including the Natural Climate Solutions, Biodiversity, and Land and Resource Governance divisions
- Directed a team of five communications professionals and an extended roster of consultants to produce high-impact storytelling content, graphic design, and video production
- Supported the publication and launch of USAID's 2024 Biodiversity Policy, managing three design revisions, supporting social media toolkit development, and strategizing outreach tactics to drive global engagement
- Spearheaded the design and implementation of an agile project management system to streamline content development and maximize efficiency
Director of Communications and Knowledge Management
DAI
Bethesda, MD
03.2021 - 10.2024
- Program: USAID Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM)
- Developed and executed multi-channel communications plans that increased knowledge-sharing among over 5,000 USAID staff and external stakeholders
- Oversaw publication of 82 knowledge products, resulting in over 8,600 views per year across USAID platforms-surpassing engagement benchmarks by 5%
- Led the creation of a website analytics dashboard, leveraging data-driven insights to provide recommendations to USAID on optimizing outreach effectiveness
- Authored 'Getting Past the Gatekeeper,' a widely used USAID guidebook integrating psychology and human-centered design principles to enhance audience engagement
- Delivered two presentations to over 100 USAID staff in 2022 and 2023
- Established an agile project management framework, increasing team productivity by 17% and improved team effort forecasting by 20%
Communications Team Manager
Rainforest Alliance
Washington, DC
04.2018 - 03.2021
- Program: Accountability Framework Initiative (AFi)
- Directed and implemented content strategy for a multi-stakeholder coalition advancing responsible supply chains in agriculture and forestry, producing over 20 blog posts, case studies, webinars, and podcasts
- Led the rebranding of the initiative, creating comprehensive branding guidelines adopted by global partners
- Led the design and development of an online platform delivering the AFi's technical guidance in four languages, improving user experience through extensive UX testing
- Directed and produced a series of 50+ videos featuring stakeholders from the private sector, NGOs, and Indigenous communities, enhancing public engagement and awareness
- Supported media outreach for launch of Framework, leading to piece in Fast Company's 'World Changing Ideas' column
Synthesis and Outreach Specialist
Environmental Incentives
Washington, DC
09.2016 - 03.2018
- Program: USAID Measuring Impact
- Planned and managed a visual storytelling series showcasing conservation initiatives in the Philippines, Nepal, Uganda, and Guatemala, amplifying awareness of biodiversity conservation
- Led an initiative to incorporate human-centered design principles into USAID's communications strategy, developing user personas to optimize audience engagement and knowledge transfer
- Designed and produced two interactive online training modules for USAID's biodiversity programming, leveraging video, testimonials, and interactive graphics to increase audience engagement
Visual Storytelling Consultant
Amazon Conservation Association
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Directed, shot, and edited a series of storytelling videos about a sustainable livelihoods initiative in Madre de Dios, Peru, supporting efforts to protect the rainforest and communities in the Manu-Tambopata conservation corridor
- Produced four videos of roughly four minutes in length, featuring the stories of participants in agroforestry/cacao farming, fish farming, ecotourism, and sustainable logging initiatives
- Co-planned a launch event with over 50 local community members and government representatives to screen videos
Founder and Digital Media Creator
Helix River Media
Chicago, IL
08.2008 - 01.2016
- Designed and developed over 50 websites, including both hand-coded and WordPress sites, for clients including nonprofits, churches, restaurants, and other small businesses in Chicago
- Wrote and produced a series of online instructional resources on technical and creative skills for web design, leading to over 35K views on YouTube
Founder and Director
Sustnrs
Chicago, IL
03.2012 - 01.2015
- Launched a social enterprise focused on climate education, producing 20+ instructional webpages, videos, and infographics that attracted over 1,000 visitors per month
- Built partnerships with local organizations to co-develop sustainability education projects, leading to expanded outreach and program impact
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Conservation
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 01.2015 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Science - Psychology, Spanish, Business Administration
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 09.1994 - 05.2000
Skills
Affiliations
Sidebar
Founding member of Sidebar (www.sidebar.com), a highly vetted leadership program for growth-minded professionals wanting to accelerate their careers.
Timeline
Deputy Chief of Party and Communications Director
DAI
10.2024 - Current
Director of Communications and Knowledge Management
DAI
03.2021 - 10.2024
Communications Team Manager
Rainforest Alliance
04.2018 - 03.2021
Synthesis and Outreach Specialist
Environmental Incentives
09.2016 - 03.2018
Visual Storytelling Consultant
Amazon Conservation Association
05.2016 - 08.2016
Master of Science - Environmental Conservation
University of Wisconsin-Madison
01.2015 - 05.2016
Founder and Director
Sustnrs
03.2012 - 01.2015
Founder and Digital Media Creator
Helix River Media
08.2008 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Psychology, Spanish, Business Administration
University of Florida
09.1994 - 05.2000
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