Age: 39
Company: Ryan Martin Foundation
Title: President
No. of years with current company: 10
Town where I live: Simsbury
Town where I work: Simsbury
College: Southwest Minnesota State University
Highest degree: Bachelor’s degree in education
Ryan Martin started the Ryan Martin Foundation 10 years ago with the mission of helping youth and adult athletes with disabilities to live independent, impassioned, productive and full lives through sports training, mentoring and education.
RMF supports two junior programs in Spain and Connecticut, and numerous summer camps all over the U.S. Martin annually does numerous speaking engagements across the country and serves as an advisor to the U.S. Paralympics Inclusive Collegiate Sports Model.
What’s been the biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
My biggest accomplishment has been taking a small nonprofit organization and growing it into an international nonprofit that serves over 150-plus athletes annually worldwide while providing these programs free of charge.
How are you involved in the community?
Very involved in the community from helping build inclusive basketball courts in the state of Connecticut, speaking at local schools/companies, and working with RMF’s student athletes through camps/junior teams.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Love to travel, play sports and workout!
Give an example of a people-skills habit you adhere to in your work and daily life that you feel has helped you succeed.
Being able to respect everyone’s values regardless of differences and create open dialogue.
What must the Greater Hartford region do to attract more talented young professionals to the area?
Greater Hartford needs to continue to create jobs that are competitive in salaries and promote a healthy work-life balance.
Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty:
• Created a nonprofit that serves an underserved population here in Connecticut.
• I am a statewide advocate for inclusion of persons with disabilities.
• Impacted thousands throughout the state through various speaking engagements.
• Served on several nonprofit boards that serve the citizens in the state of Connecticut.
Fun FactÂ
Played 10 years of professional wheelchair basketball in Europe.