Ryan Catherwood is the assistant vice president, alumni and career services at Longwood University in Virginia. Prior to joining Longwood, Ryan was the director of digital engagement strategy in the University Advancement Office at the University of Virginia. Early in his career, Ryan obtained event-based professional experience in the hospitality industry through positions as a banquet manager, convention services manager and eventually catering sales for a Sheraton hotel. 

Ryan attended the University of Queensland Business School in 2007. It was at UQBS that he began work in higher education administration as an intern in the marketing department. After transitioning back to the United States, Ryan worked at a private, boarding secondary school as the Director of Marketing and Communication before leaving for a position in the Office of Alumni Affairs at Washington and Lee University. At Washington and Lee, Ryan served as the primary manager of all marketing and communications.

For two and a half years, Ryan hosted a professional development web show called Advancement Live that featured interviews with industry thought leaders. Ryan is passionate about network building and developing engagement strategies. Listen to Ryan’s podcast called Advancement Legends for interviews with senior advancement leaders from around the world.