Ryan VanMeter, 27, is an associate at the Haymarket Group public affairs consulting group. He has worked with some of Chicago’s largest non-profit organizations and is currently a board member at the Lakeview YMCA, serving as the annual fund chairman. At the YMCA, Ryan has worked on advertisements which encourage families to define themselves and has been committed to the YMCA’s goal to keep a safe, quality environment for children. Ryan was head of fundraising for Ald. Tom Tunney’s campaign and raised $500,000 through contacting GLBT philanthropists and others in 12 months. He also managed Tunney’s Web site. Ryan thinks one of the biggest issues affecting the GLBT community is the lack of quality role models for GLBT youth.
Ryan tries to be a positive role model by being 100% open about being gay, he said. He also tries to make good choices by volunteering in activism and connecting young people to civic opportunities. Ryan is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Political Science at University of Illinois, Chicago.