Life's Not Linear with Ryan Phillips

SAY YES & SHOW UP! Ryan has had an extremely non-linear but fruitful path as he has always had the mentality of saying yes, showing up, and trying everything. Ryan studied computer science but wasn't the best at school - until he started applying what he learned in class to a startup he was working on. He then joined the University Innovation Fellows program, with only 4 hours to apply (as he heard about it at 8 pm and it was due at midnight) and he decided to say yes anyway. This lead to a series of innovative opportunities where he helped build collaboration and Makerspace at his campus. Ryan decided to go to grad school as he didn't have any job prospects yet, and eventually ended up at Microsoft. He started as a developer, but his heart was set on working with people and not behind a desk. He took a leap of faith and invited many coworkers to a design thinking workshop. Caught up in the business of like, someone called him six months later, inviting him to be on the inclusive design team at Microsoft. Fast forward again, someone Ryan met through the Fellows program 6 years ago stayed connected with him, and now Ryan is at SAP, reimagining the hiring experience and taking out the bias in hiring. Ryan says yes, shows up, leads with love, practices inclusivity, and is a rockstar. Check out the full interview to hear his journey.