17 April, 2025 – Meet Ryan, a shining example of how one bold step can spark a transformative journey. As a high school senior at University Hill Secondary School, Ryan’s involvement in JA began in January 2024, when he joined a JA Company Program at his local community centre with two friends. What started as a new experience quickly became a defining chapter in his life, full of opportunities to grow, lead, and inspire.
From the start, Ryan found himself stepping out of his comfort zone. With no prior business experience and a hesitant voice in early team meetings, he found the courage to speak up, take initiative, and lead his peers. As he puts it, “At first, I hesitated to speak up… but as our team navigated obstacles, I realized that clear communication and decisive leadership were essential.” Over time, he became a confident leader, learning to present ideas clearly and motivate his team effectively.
Ryan’s newfound confidence didn’t stop with JA Company Program. Encouraged by his mentors, he applied for the Oratory and Presentation Skills Award—and was selected by the judging panel. The award came with a $2,500 scholarship and the opportunity to deliver a speech at the 2024 BC Business Laureates Hall of Fame Gala in front of over 900 esteemed business leaders. He describes the experience as inspiring: “Connecting with remarkable, yet humble leaders resonated deeply with me… their dedication to making a positive impact was truly inspirational.”
His journey of growth continued as he co-emceed the 2025 JA Leadership Breakfast alongside JABC’s CEO Wendi Campbell—yet another example of how JA helped him transform nervous beginnings into poised public speaking. Today, Ryan serves on the JA Youth Advisory Council, collaborating with alumni across Canada to develop resources and help shape the future of JA.
Through these experiences, Ryan has developed not only public speaking skills but also critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership abilities. A highlight of his journey was attending a workshop at Accenture, where he learned about app design and met engineers working at the intersection of tech and commerce. As someone passionate about both engineering and business, it affirmed his belief in combining these worlds to create meaningful impact.
Currently preparing to pursue engineering at the University of British Columbia, Ryan is eager to bring the entrepreneurial mindset he’s gained from JA into his future career.
“JA showed me the immense impact that business and leadership can have, and I want to take that mindset into engineering,” he shared.
When asked what advice he would offer other young people beginning their JA journey, Ryan said: “Say yes to every opportunity. Whether it’s taking a leadership role, pitching an idea, or speaking in front of a crowd—each challenge teaches you something valuable. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just be open to learning and trying new things.”
Ryan Wood’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being brave enough to step up, learn, and grow. Through JA, Ryan has done exactly that—and he’s just getting started.
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