Ryan Young is the Executive Director of the Edmonton Community Foundation’s Social Enterprise Fund (SEF), one of Canada’s largest and most active social investment funds. In this role, he leads impact-driven financing initiatives that support affordable housing, community economic development, and social enterprise growth across Alberta. Under his leadership, SEF has played a catalytic role in structuring innovative capital solutions that blend financial sustainability with measurable social outcomes—particularly in the housing sector. Ryan brings a unique blend of practitioner, investor, and academic experience to his work. Internationally, he helped launch one of Thailand’s largest microfinance institutions. He has also been involved in renewable energy cooperatives and helped create Alberta’s first multi-family passive house development. His work consistently focuses on expanding access to capital, housing, and economic opportunity. In addition to his executive leadership, Ryan has held senior academic roles, including Co-Dean of the JR Shaw School of Business at NAIT and Dean of the Leder School of Business at The King’s University. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Athabasca University, an MBA from the University of Alberta, and completed the INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Programme. His doctoral research examined how organizations build legitimacy and long-term impact—insights that directly inform his approach to housing finance and social investment. Ryan has served on numerous boards and advisory committees spanning economic development, workforce strategy, poverty reduction, and community finance. He is widely recognized as a builder, connector, and strategic leader committed to strengthening communities through innovative housing and social finance solutions.