Ryan Walther is an international development professional with 16 years of experience managing complex grant and contract portfolios to advance U.S. foreign policy under Republican and Democratic administrations with the former U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He oversaw programming across Southern and East Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, leading teams to deliver measurable impact in conservation, disaster response, agriculture, governance, education, health, and economic growth. Ryan led the development of four national strategies guiding more than $4 billion in investments, formed international coalitions that mobilized millions annually for peacebuilding, and advanced data-driven systems that boosted program management and impact on behalf of American taxpayers. From 2004-2007 Ryan worked with Pact, implementing emergency water infrastructure programming in various parts of South Sudan. A skilled communicator and strategic thinker, he has engaged Congress, ambassadors, and local leaders to align priorities, raise resources, and strengthen partnerships.

Now back in the United States, Ryan is focusing on conservation and climate change work. He chairs Whitefish’s Climate Action Plan Committee and sits on Wild Montana’s Flathead-Kootenai Chapter Board.

In addition to his development career, Ryan is an accomplished musician. He studied through the New England Conservatory’s Extension Division and under Donald McInnes at the University of Southern California. He has performed in venues across the United States as well as internationally in Chile, Argentina, and Zimbabwe, and recently joined the Glacier Symphony.

Originally from Concord, Massachusetts, Ryan lives in Whitefish with his wife Ronit Walther and together they have three children: Yosef, Olin, and Aya. He enjoys fishing, paddling, skipping stones, running, hiking, travel, oxford commas, and eating good food.

Ryan holds an M.A. in Comparative and Regional Studies (Africa) from American University and a B.A. in Biological Anthropology from the University of Southern California.