Ryan Robison

“Be a Rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” 

Maya Angelou

Ryan Robison is a Project Manager at Cook Ross. In his project management role, Ryan serves as a liaison to multiple clients, manages the day to day activities between the Cook Ross project team and his assigned clients. Ryan collaborates with the Business Development team to support generating business with his existing client base. He acts as a daily Cook Ross brand ambassador, responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships both internally and externally.   

Ryan has a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University – Bloomington, where he studied Music Education and Political Science. He has nearly 15 years of professional project management and logistics experience, with an extensive background in education, environment, civil rights, and LGBTQ activism. Ryan served in the Obama Administration from 2010-2017 where he worked at the Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of the Administrator. 

Ryan commonly notes that what drew him to IDEA work is living in an IDEA environment which makes him a better person.  It allows him to evolve into a better version of himself. Being born a gay, cis-gendered man has given Ryan the opportunity to see what oppression looks like through one lens. However, he will always be reminded that his sexuality can be hidden, but his race cannot.  What has drawn Ryan to this work is to be a better ally to those who have less privilege than himself, and then use his privilege to help advance the long journey towards equity and justice. Ryan’s philosophy of work is to listen before you speak, ask questions if you are unsure, and always admit when you’re wrong because failure is the greatest teacher of all.   

When the former Obama administration official isn’t helping clients to progress in their IDEA journey, he relishes the opportunity to play the violin in ad hoc ensembles, contribute his voice to the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, and create safe spaces for people in his life to be heard. 

“Be a Rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” 

Maya Angelou