Ryana Jones, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, graduated from Lafayette College with dual majors in Government and Women/Gender Studies. Fueled by a passion for social justice and equity, she directed her academic and professional pursuits toward enhancing access to higher education and retention efforts for marginalized students.

At Lafayette and with KIPP NYC, Ryana focused on improving opportunities for first-generation college students and those impacted by the criminal justice system. Collaborating with StepUp Durham, she supported individuals on their empowerment journey through skills training. Ryana's commitment to addressing the relationship between access and structural inequality extends globally; she advocated for human rights, particularly for LGBTQ persons in Africa, while working with a special envoy at the Department of State. Additionally, her efforts at the Department of Health and Human Services aimed at supporting individuals with behavioral health and substance abuse challenges, steering them away from the criminal justice system and towards treatment programs to prevent re-arrest.

Dedicated to advancing programs and legislation for the well-being of individuals across all age groups, Ryana prioritizes quality of life from infants to the elderly.