Jim Ryan

Advisor at NextGen Growth Partners

Jim Ryan is an investor and advisor to growth businesses through his own fund as well as partnering with other venture and private equity firms.

Mr. Ryan is also on the board and recent Chair of the Board of Trustees of DePaul University, former Co-Chair of the Business Advisory Council for the Farmer School of Business at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and is involved with a number of philanthropic projects focused on creating access to quality education, social support and work experience for students from underserved communities.

In 2017 Mr. Ryan retired from W.W. Grainger Inc, a $10B industrial distribution company where he spent 37 years, the last 9 as Chairman and CEO. Among his responsibilities during that tenure were corporate product management, sales and marketing, information technology and a number of operating businesses. In addition, he led Grainger’s e-commerce business from start-up to over $6B in revenue.

Mr. Ryan graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, with a bachelor's degree in business. He also earned a master's degree, with distinction, in business from DePaul University in Chicago.

Timeline

  • Advisor

    Current role