Meet Our Award Winners: Missy Ryan

Annual operating budget: $400+ million for the university.

How much raised annually: As a university, $42+ million; within the College of Business and Behavioral Science, $7+ million.

Role models: My mom, who was my first mentor in fundraising; and my Dad, who has guided me in every business decision I have made. I was blessed with the best! Nancy Peterman, vice president of development at Georgia State University, who has inspired me and mentored me for the past seven years. Cheryl Holland, president of Abacus Financial Planning, who is teaching me all the time how to be a more innovative manager and the joy of being a lifelong learner.