ABOUT BRAD

Brad Ryan helps organizations unlock breakthrough performance by reimagining how generations connect, collaborate and thrive together.

Brad Ryan never settled for the expected path.

He thru-hiked all 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, stood atop Mount Kilimanjaro, and as a graduate student in South Africa tracked spotted hyenas through the night in Kruger National Park while learning to drive a stick-shift Land Rover while being charged by elephants during the day. As a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, writer, and viral storyteller from southeastern Ohio, he has dedicated his life to inspiring others to care for the planet, endangered species, and vulnerable people.

Then came the journey that changed everything - one that would captivate millions around the world.

A simple invitation to travel with his grandmother became Grandma Joy’s Road Trip - a seven-and-a-half-year mission to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks that became a worldwide phenomenon.

Together, they set a world record, defying social norms around aging and intergenerational connection, proving a timeless truth: connection gives life meaning, purpose can begin at any age, and joy is still possible when we choose it.

Now Brad adds author to that story. His debut memoir, Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time, published by Simon & Schuster, releases June 16, 2026.

Brad uses storytelling as a vehicle for healing-rooted in empathy, inspired by nature, and driven by a desire to help others feel seen and connected. As a keynote speaker, he helps organizations reimagine how generations connect, collaborate, and thrive together while championing LGBTQ+ inclusion, mental health awareness, and the protection of wildlife and public lands.