Campaignsthat move people to act, give, and buy.

Marie Sonnet, PhD

Sonnet Editing and Consulting

Working with Catherine Ryan, I see how instinctively she finds the story that will make people care. She can take material that begins as information or promotion and discover the human connection that gives it energy and meaning. Her writing draws people in because it is grounded in careful research and an unusually strong sense of audience.

What I value just as much is the way Catherine works with others. She listens. She recognizes what each person brings to a project and builds on it. Her collaborative style makes the work better, and it also makes the process a pleasure.

Lisa Plummer Savas

Editorial and Content Marketing Professional | Event Industry Journalist | Communications Specialist | Social Media Strategist

I have known Catherine Ryan for decades, long enough to have watched her grow from a budding international journalist into the skilled writer and strategic communications leader she is today.

Her extensive background as a reporter means she knows how to find the real story, get it right, and tell it clearly. Over the years she has applied those journalistic instincts to nearly every form of professional writing, spanning brand storytelling, executive communications, speechwriting, public relations, crisis communications, email marketing, and fundraising appeals. She is remarkably prolific, and across all that volume and range the quality of her writing never wavers.

What sets her apart is her innate ability to turn an organization's goals into narratives people care about, for nonprofits and corporations alike. Like the best journalists, she is endlessly curious and doesn't settle for the obvious answer. She asks the next question, follows the thread further than most writers would, and comes back with the angle others missed.

She is also a genuine pleasure to work with. She meets deadlines, takes an edit without ego, and brings steady judgment to high-stakes subjects. Any organization, agency, or publication would be fortunate to have Catherine on its team. She brings deep experience, real range, and talent to spare, and I recommend her without reservation.

I have the privilege of working closely with Catherine Ryan at Fielding Graduate University, where she distinguishes herself as an exceptional communications leader, editor, and strategic thought partner.

Catherine brought our FOCUS magazine to an entirely new level, elevating its editorial quality, intellectual depth, and overall professionalism. As a Chief Executive Editor of the publication, she has a rare ability to translate complex academic ideas into clear, compelling narratives while preserving the sophistication and integrity of the scholarship behind them.

As Director of Communications, Catherine approaches university communications from a top-tier, executive perspective. She understands the language of senior leadership and can move seamlessly between strategy and execution—shaping institutional messaging, advising leaders, managing sensitive communications, and maintaining a consistent organizational voice.

Her leadership was particularly valuable during a period of significant institutional change. Catherine brings sound judgment, composure, exceptional writing and editorial skills, and a strong understanding of how communications can build trust and reinforce institutional reputation.

She is the kind of communications professional every executive team benefits from having at the table.

Catherine is one of the most accomplished, and reliable journalists to have ever worked for me. She was tenacious as a reporter and incredibly skilled as a storyteller. I cannot recommend her more highly.

Francis Hoffman

Journalist/writer (pen name Anne Moore)

Catherine Ryan and I have worked together on numerous news assignments in several countries, many of which were difficult and dangerous. Without fail, Ms. Ryan has exhibited the utmost professionalism and integrity in all aspects of her work. I have been a working journalist/writer for over 20 years and I send my highest regard for Catherine Ryan as both a dedicated worker and a trusted friend.

Bryan Lopes

AGB Certified Board Professional

I have the pleasure of working closely with Catherine, and she is truly one of those people who makes every project better simply by being involved. Catherine combines exceptional communication skills with genuine kindness, thoughtfulness, and professionalism. She has a remarkable ability to bring clarity to complex ideas while making everyone around her feel heard, valued, and supported.

Beyond her talent and expertise, Catherine is simply a wonderful colleague and human being. Her positive spirit, collaborative approach, and unwavering dedication make her a joy to work with. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside her and would recommend her wholeheartedly to any team or organization fortunate enough to have her.

Amanda Greco

I support change-makers in social entrepreneurship with ideas, communications, tough conversations, and personal growth to bring their best selves to their work.

I still remember Catherine’s clarity of voice, her curiosity and compassion, and her deep desire to help tell the stories of our beautiful planet's marvelous variety of people.

Catherine went on to become Novica's "Wander Woman" -- documenting the cultural traditions and life stories of artisans from Guatemala to Bali. In the decades since we worked together, she's supported the mission of uplifting the world's creative people through the pivots, twists and turns of our era's rapid technological change with grace, flexibility, and optimism.

Working together was a joy. Everywhere Catherine goes benefits!

Marlen Bautista

Development Manager of Donor Experience | Fielding Graduate University

Catherine is an incredibly talented writer, thinker, and leader. She brings creativity into everything she does, and at Fielding, she has truly elevated our university website, donor relations, social media, communications and so much more. She brings thoughtful strategy and fresh ideas to every project, always thinking about how we can communicate more effectively and meaningfully.

I feel incredibly blessed to work with Catherine and to learn so much from her about communications in a nonprofit organization. Any workplace would be incredibly lucky to have her talents, which are needed now more than ever. But beyond her talent, Catherine is kind, dependable, and a true team player. No matter what comes her way, she makes sure everything is submitted on time, and the quality of her work is always beyond exceptional.

I am inspired by Catherine’s tenacity and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside her!

Catherine Ryan worked for us at UCSD CONNECT (The University of California San Diego's prestigious Program in Technology and Entrepreneurship), serving as our Senior Editor and she also performed public relations functions in the promotion of many of our events and services. Catherine proved invaluable in all aspects of our organization, always willing to take on new roles and responsibilities and always eager to tackle special projects.

Catherine is special. I reserve myself using this word however in this case it is true. She is creative, insightful, and hardworking. She is kind, considerate, punctual, and extremely conscientious of whatever task or assignment is given to her. Her work ethics are of the highest quality. We are pleased she has accepted an exciting new executive management position with one of our new member companies. I do hope that Catherine will continue to collaborate with us on future projects and I wish her much success in whatever she chooses in her future. Catherine seems to be sprinkled with magic dust and few people seem to be enrolled in that high a place in life.

Javier Santana

Talk show host, KSTV

We at KSTV greatly enjoyed working with Catherine Ryan since the day she first came to our studios as a guest on our Santana Live television show. She contributed further to our station as a frequent guest commentator and correspondent. Ms. Ryan also guest-produced for KSTV, and has also served as a co-host of our bilingual live news talk show. She excels both on and off camera. Ms. Ryan is a skilled journalist. She is confident and determined, thrives on challenges and dedicates herself to her work.

Peter A. Schey

President and executive director, Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law

I have known Ms. Ryan for many years, since she interviewed me for a profile published by a Los Angeles periodical. After that she worked as a volunteer for us on several projects for the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, including two international delegations which investigated human rights abuses in Mexico. Catherine is a highly gifted writer and a skilled communicator. She has excellent organizational skills. She is a natural team leader who contributes far beyond what is expected of her on the job. I could not recommend anyone more highly.

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, PhD

Bestselling author

I met Catherine while I was a professor at UC Berkeley and Catherine was still a student there. I have continued to follow her work, and have especially enjoyed reading her feature stories about Cambodia and Mexico. Catherine has a remarkable ability to make friends and bring people together. Rarely have I heard anybody who met her who was not instantly impressed: “what an unusually lovely person” they would remark. She is the kind of person everyone wishes they had as a teacher in college. I have encouraged Catherine's interest in teaching because of this gift, and I know she has a tremendous desire to further her journalistic career. She excels at all challenges she undertakes. Everybody who comes in contact with Catherine comes away enchanted: you could not hire a better person. Once you meet her, you will see what I mean.

Victor Perera

Professor, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

I have known Catherine Ryan since her bold and insightful reports on the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, Mexico came to my attention. Shortly thereafter, I invited her to my U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism class as a guest lecturer. In March of that year she accompanied me and my magazine writing class to the Zapatista rebel territories, where she helped organize, instruct and shepherd eleven graduate students under difficult and potentially dangerous circumstances. Catherine is industrious and courageous. She brings her talents and ingenuity to everything she undertakes.

Roe Gallo

Author

Catherine Ryan edited my new book, Perfect Body. She is an incredible editor and a powerful writer. Catherine stayed committed, focused and on schedule. She has a wonderful sense of the English language and a way of applying the KISS principle—keeping it simple and straightforward. Catherine has taken my book from a great work to what my publisher called, “the best book they've done in years.” I am forever grateful to Catherine for her inspiration, dedication and hard work.

Catherine Ryan served as the editor of my health and fitness book. She is a strong but diplomatic editor. I continue to value her literary counsel, and look forward to working with her on my next project. She is also a caring and very considerate individual. I highly recommend her, she is the very best.

As our Marketing Manager, Catherine Ryan contributed to our company's corporate position as the international leader in our field. She is bright, intelligent, and conscientious. Catherine's excellent direct mail campaigns and press releases bolstered sales, and her consultations regarding our company's image contributed directly to development of our new logo, slogan, and high-tech equipment image. Catherine also directed development of our company's promotional film, which regularly receives first-rate reviews from both prospects and customers, and which we use for both sales and training purposes. It has helped us to close sales and also to ensure that new customers learn how to reap maximum benefits from our system.

Ms. Ryan is a gifted writer and intrepid world traveler. Her works have been translated for publication in Europe and Latin America, and in periodicals in the largest media centers in the United States. I accompanied Catherine on a journey to film a total solar eclipse at Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia. The documentary project also included Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Indonesia. Her other adventures include fact-finding interviews in rebel-held areas of Mexico, experiences in North Africa, and lengthy stays in Cuba, among still others. She is versatile and responsible. I highly recommend her.

Charles R. Donaldson

Professor of English and journalism

Catherine Ryan is an outstanding person, and I am proud to have been one of her instructors when she majored in journalism and served as editor in chief of the campus newspaper that I advised. Although at 17 Catherine was the youngest ever editor in chief of the campus paper, she proved to be a superior one. She worked well, leading and directing persons with disparate personalities as well as a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and interests. She produced an award-winning paper that kept its campus community informed.

Catherine had been a hardworking reporter and writer, but as editor she quickly had to master people skills. A sunny disposition and a positive approach to problems made her a popular leader and effective decision maker. Most of the unpaid student staffers expected to be pursuing their own goals—record reviewing, sports feature writing, personality interviewing—and then soon found themselves part of a team that without question tackled tasks assigned by Catherine. Her goal was to produce the best possible campus newspaper, and that soon became the group goal.

I found Catherine also to be a top student in classroom settings, handling assignments imaginatively and well. She was a self-starter who seemed not to need deadlines. As a writer, she could produce effective objective pieces as well as thoughtful commentaries. Once she blended her personal experience with reportorial skills to describe the loss of her home and most of her possessions in a Malibu fire. Catherine Ryan is a bright, intuitive, skilled person who it is a pleasure to know and a greater pleasure to work with. She is amiable, dependable, and talented.