Informed, smart, keeping her head purposely just above water, public servant and EVP of Axios, Evan Ryan, is helping change the way you digest news, and believes anything is possible.
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Anything is possible.
WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED IN HIGH SCHOOL?
That it’s better to have tried and failed then never to have tried. I ran for student government president and lost. I learned that even when you give it your all, sometimes things don’t break your way, but that you can still gain a lot in the process. But I was so glad that I didn’t wonder whether I should have run, and end up looking back with regret. And I learned that Melissa Corrado made a great student government president.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST PET PEEVE?
People who are uninformed – it’s one of the things that drew me to Axios, giving people a way to get smart quickly, through our site and our newsletters.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WITH A BROKEN HEART?
That it will make sense down the road, and you will likely be grateful it didn’t work out.
WHAT IS ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND?
Promise Me, Dad, the new book by former Vice President Biden; To A God Unknown by John Steinbeck, for an upcoming book club; yesterday’s NY Times crossword; several unread magazines; my iPhone; and a glass of water.
WHAT GIVES YOU GOOSE BUMPS?
Actually being able to see countless stars in a dark sky.
WHAT IS YOUR BAD DAY BACKUP PLAN?
Some combination of talking to my mom, my sister, my friends, binge watching tv, and yoga.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Loving what you do, doing it well, and treating people well in the process.
BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
Evelyn Lieberman was one of my mentors when I worked for Hillary Clinton, and she told me to always seek to feel like my head was barely above water, because when you feel like you are floating and safe, you aren’t growing.
WHAT MAKES YOU FORGET TO EAT?
Not much.
WHAT DID YOUR 8 YEAR-OLD SELF LOVE DOING?
Drawing, reading, coloring.
WHAT 3 THINGS WOULD YOU GRAB IN A FIRE?
Family photos, my wallet, my iPhone.
FAVORITE WORD?
Faith – I like the single syllable and simplicity of the word, and that it has so much meaning behind it.
FAVORITE WORK OF ART?
Hamilton – to me it is an extraordinary work of art with several art forms combined: amazing writing, rapping, dancing, all in one.
FAVORITE BOOK?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – it’s a beautiful reminder that life can unfold in surprising and serendipitous ways.
If you were a singer, what would be the name of your first album?
I don’t know what I would name an album, but I think if I let my husband name it he would title it with the listener in mind, “You’re a Good Sport”. I’m not a good singer.
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