Board Insight: Ryan Applegate

“Access to technology and digital learning has been fundamental throughout my career. I love how Inspiredu creates the opportunity for individuals, companies, donors, families, and schools to all contribute toward ensuring that the next generation of leaders can thrive in our digital world.”

Q.  As a Inspiredu board member, what are you most excited about?

I am most excited about the strength of the community that Inspiredu has been able to build. I am grateful for the staff, donors, and my fellow board members as we continue to evolve the capabilities and reach of Inspiredu. I look forward to the development of the Volunteer Training Center (VTC) which will expand the ability of Inspiredu to deliver a multigenerational learning model to better serve families.

Q. What is your current job and what does it involve?

I work for Jabian Consulting where I direct multiple teams across several client organizations. I have the opportunity to interact with business leaders throughout Atlanta to help them solution and execute strategic initiatives that drive corporate growth, capture operational efficiencies, and optimize their capital investments. My job challenges me to solve for unique client situations across a wide variety of industries and lets me work daily with some of the brightest minds in Atlanta.   

Q. How do you relate to Inspiredu’s mission, values, and/or work.

Access to technology and digital learning has been fundamental throughout my career. I love how Inspiredu creates the opportunity for individuals, companies, donors, families, and schools to all contribute toward ensuring that the next generation of leaders can thrive in our digital world. Over the past 8 years of working with the Inspiredu team, I’ve personally been able to see impact that we can have on individual families and across the greater Atlanta community to foster digital inclusion.

Q.  What is a day like in the life of Ryan Applegate?

Much like a large portion of the workforce, I have been working remotely from my home office since early 2020. Most of my day is spent prioritizing my calendar across client interactions, supporting my teams, and handling the occasional interruption from my wife and daughters. Thankfully, technology has enabled me to be hyper-effective in jumping from meeting to meeting stressing the importance of digital tools. I have also gained an increased appreciation for personal relationships and face-to-face interactions.