Ryan Priester

Ryan Priester serves as a Program Officer on the Chicago Commitment team at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, where he focuses on the Vital Communities strategy. Prior to joining MacArthur, Ryan served as the Director of Community Programs at the University of Chicago. In that role, Ryan led the work of the Community Programs Accelerator, which supports nonprofits whose work benefits local neighborhoods. He also designed and implemented the University’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management for community leaders. A native of Chicago’s South Side, Ryan began his career working with youth and families in the Woodlawn neighborhood, serving as a community organizer. He also held leadership roles in community-based nonprofits.