‘Grindr for Equality’ Welcomes Owen Ryan as New Managing Director

Grindr for Equality proudly welcomes Owen Ryan (he/him), an accomplished social impact leader, as its new Managing Director. Ryan’s track record in advancing health and human rights spans both LGBTQ+ communities and other underserved groups, making him a vital addition to Grindr.

At Grindr for Equality, we harness the global reach of the Grindr app to improve LGBTQ+ lives worldwide. Through partnerships with public health authorities, NGOs, grassroots advocates, and over 150 organizations worldwide, we focus on decriminalization, marriage equality, family formation, and expanding access to health services, driving meaningful change in communities around the globe.

A Lifelong Commitment to Health and Human Rights

Ryan brings an extensive background in social impact work to Grindr for Equality. His dedication to addressing global inequalities began early, with a formative experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi during the height of its HIV epidemic. 

“Malawians were dying because they didn’t have access to HIV treatment that was readily available in other parts of the world,” Ryan said. “At the time, the human rights of entire communities were being ignored by global decision-makers.” 

This experience cemented his focus on addressing health disparities and advancing human rights, particularly in regions where access to healthcare remains difficult.

After returning from the Peace Corps, Ryan worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on HIV, including clinical trials for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).

“In the early days, it was difficult to get those trials funded,” Ryan recalled. “But when the results showed PrEP was extremely effective, the challenge became getting access to everyone who needed it.”

Executive Leadership at the International AIDS Society

As the Executive Director of the International AIDS Society (IAS), the world’s largest association of HIV professionals, Ryan led efforts to address both the medical and social challenges of the HIV epidemic. 

Under his leadership, the IAS, which comprises more than 10,000 HIV/AIDS professionals from over 170 countries, advanced critical research and policy work, including efforts to end LGBTQ+ stigma and discrimination.

Most recently, Ryan served as President and CEO of Project Angel Heart, a Denver-based nonprofit, where he led efforts to provide nutritious, medically-tailored meals to patients with severe illnesses, including HIV/AIDS.

Ryan’s Vision for Grindr for Equality

Now at the helm of Grindr’s social impact initiative, Ryan is eager to leverage the platform’s global reach to significantly increase its impact in advancing health and human rights.

“Grindr for Equality has been partnering with communities around the world to improve health and human rights. I want more people to know about that great work and help us extend its impact even further.”

Ryan is committed to integrating health and human rights resources into the everyday lives of Grindr users. He said that issues like decriminalization, marriage equality, and reducing barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples seeking to have children are fundamental human rights that directly impact the community’s well-being. 

Under Ryan’s leadership, Grindr for Equality aims to deepen its collaborations with over 150 LGBTQ+ organizations across every region of the world. 

Getting to Know Owen Ryan

Beyond his impressive credentials, we wanted to learn a bit more about Owen Ryan on a personal level. Here’s a glimpse into his personality with a few rapid-fire questions:

What do you never leave your home without?

I’m always carrying a backpack even when there’s nothing in it. But if I’m on a trip, it’s a Kindle, as I’m a huge reader. If I don’t have my Kindle, I feel a little twitchy.

If you could only have one item with you, a holy grail item or something that’s changed your life, what would it be?

My husband makes fun of how many candles I buy. You can never have enough candles, right? My favorite candle rotates. Currently, it’s Boy Smells.

What’s your typical Sunday like?

I love an unscheduled Sunday. Start off with coffee and breakfast but then I’m on the porch with a book, uninterrupted. Our dog is the third member of the family, so I usually spend the day spoiling him.