Ryan Scott Groves

Ryan is a serial entrepreneur with a knack for bringing together purpose driven community. He has helped to start and grow dozens of non-profits, for-profits, and tech start ups.

Ryan’s first company, Wishing Well, created a movement of college students at more than 50 schools across the US, providing clean water to more than 40,000 people and making some of the most widely seen photography and video on the water crisis.

He currently serves as the Head of Entrepreneurship at The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship.

Ryan holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary studies from Oklahoma Christian University and a Masters in Social Entrepreneurship & Change from Pepperdine University. He is a TEDx speaker and lead organizer of TEDxPepperdineUniversity.

Ryan lives happily with his wife, Ali Rae, son, and two massive dogs (Ransom the labradoodle and Merlin the golden-doodle) in Malibu, California. 

Driving Ideas

Social Entrepreneurship: 

My personal definition for social entrepreneurship is using sustainable business concepts & strategies to find solutions to just about any social, economic, or environmental challenge. In a phrase, social entrepreneurship is using the tools of free market business in the best interest of our friends and neighbors.  

Purpose Driven Community:

Every community has a purpose. The communities I'm talking about are those who gather together with the intention to serve a higher good. This purpose/cause gives the community something to rally around and focus on. The cause itself may be the catalyst for community, but it shouldn't be a replacement for authentic relationship. It is imperative that good, purposeful community keep in mind that the members of the fellowship are always more important than any strategic end. 

Creativity:

Another personal definition, I look at creativity as the unique human ability to dream up new ideas and bring them to life. The combination of the two actions, the inspiration and the manifestation, is required for something to be "created." I take this lense on creativity because I've seen first hand the importance of sharing a vision and working with others to see it realized. Everyone is creative and that creative energy, when manifested in real action, is what changes the world.