Rebecca Ryan, Next Generation Consulting

Rebecca Ryan is an energetic entrepreneur and the founder of Next Generation Consulting (NGC), a research and consulting firm that helps clients engage the next generation. In 2007, Rebecca became a 2EO, with responsibilities for sales, marketing, and positioning. NGC has conducted interviews, focus groups, and surveys with over 30,000 young professionals since 1998. Cities, states, arts organizations, and companies use NGC’s research and applications to attract and develop the next generation of citizens, patrons, employees, and customers.

Ryan summarized her firm’s research in her 2007 book, Live First, Work Second: Getting Inside the Minds of the Next Generation. Dr. Richard Florida, author of the best-seller, The Rise of the Creative Class and The Flight of the Creative Class, wrote the forward to Ms. Ryan’s book. He writes, “I am a HUGE Rebecca Ryan fan,” and considers “NGC one of the most reliable sources for CEOs, mayors, legislators, economic developers and non- profit leaders who want to attract and retain the next generation of creative workers.”

Prior to starting NGC in 1998, Rebecca held posts with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Association of Business and Industry, and Keep Iowa Beautiful.