Ryan's introduction to finance came through his grandfather, an accountant who taught him about investments at a young age and showed the family firsthand what it looks like to be truly prepared for the future. That example stayed with him. Watching people around him struggle with financial literacy only deepened his conviction that the right guidance at the right time can change the trajectory of someone's life.
A Highland Park native, Ryan built his foundation in leadership and accountability as a quarterback for the Highland Park Giants. He understood early that a team is only as strong as its weakest link, so he made it his job to ensure everyone around him showed up confident and prepared. He led by example — arriving early, bringing positive energy, and staying in peak shape, knowing his teammates would match whatever standard he set.
He carried that same mindset into the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics with a concentration in Financial Planning and a minor in Business.
At Benari Capital, Ryan joins the team as a paraplanner, supporting advisors and clients across the full range of financial planning and wealth management operations. He is drawn to the detail-oriented, relationship-driven nature of financial planning. He is currently working toward his Series 65 license and plans to sit for the CFP exam later this year, a deliberate path toward becoming a trusted advisor in his own right.
Outside the office, Ryan stays active through lifting weights, values time with family above most things, and follows the Chicago Bears with the kind of loyalty that doesn't require winning.
