Ryan Heil, Ph.D.
President
Ryan brings to WSB a passion for innovation. His leadership at WSB reflects a strategic clarity shaped by his experiences in academia, athletics, and business.
Ryan holds both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Clemson University. His area of research at Clemson focused on the leader’s role in creating and maintaining a culture of high engagement. As part of his research, he developed an innovative way to decipher cultural pressures that are critical in leading transformational leadership efforts.
Ryan began his career as a professional baseball player in the New York Mets organization. However, it was as a college coach where he developed a passion for leading great teams and creating environments where every person can make a substantial contribution to the success of the team.
Prior to joining WSB, Ryan served as the Chief of Staff to VP Student Affairs at Clemson University, where he worked with a team to transform parts of Clemson’s student culture as the University accelerated its undergraduate growth. Ryan also acted as the Chief Marketing Officer at Zipbuds, Inc., where he helped accelerate innovation in a difficult wireless market. In 2020, he co-authored Choose Love Not Fear, a book that outlines Ryan’s beliefs about what separates great teams from the merely good ones.
When not working, you can find Ryan behind the plate at Nats Park, on the golf course, or at home with his wife Devin and daughter Brooklyn.
