Ryan Rains

Ryan Rains is the Director of Entrepreneurship Co-Curricular Programming at the University of Kansas School of Business, where he has been instrumental in reimagining and expanding the school’s entrepreneurship initiatives. Since 2022, he has launched several new pilot programs, such as the Entrepreneurship Lunch-and-Learn series, the revamped Jayhawk Consulting and Catalyst programs, and Startup Jayhawk. These programs significantly enhance the overall impact of KU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Additionally, Rains is the co-founder of Rains Advisory and Consulting Services, providing coaching and advisory services to startups and new businesses. Rains' expertise spans adaptive leadership, business analytics, and strategic planning, helping clients grow in their leadership capacity and accomplish their goals.

Prior to his role at the University of Kansas, Rains served as the Director of Business Development and Programs for the Economic Development Corporation of Lawrence & Douglas County, where he led the creation of Lawrence’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan and championed programs that supported entrepreneurship and small business growth. Rains also worked on the NetWork Kansas Lawrence Metro E-Community loan program and collaborated with local businesses to overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a rich professional background that includes leadership positions at Meritrust Credit Union and Chick-fil-A, Rains has honed expertise in business development, team leadership, and operational efficiency, with a proven ability to drive measurable results.