June 6, 2019

Two alumni featured among Ingram’s ’40 Under 40’

Two Northwest Missouri State University alumni were featured recently by Ingram’s, a Kansas City business magazine, in its annual “40 Under 40” edition.

Ryan Gray, a 2003 graduate of Northwest is director of category solutions for Hallmark, a role in which he develops strategy for the company’s retail network. He also is a member of its Senior Leadership Group and the youngest member of the HALLPAC Executive Committee, which engages with elected officials in Washington about issues important to the company.

Gray also is treasurer of the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary, president of Impact KC and active with United Way and Enactus.

He started his professional career with Chrysler Financial. He later joined Florida-based Darden Restaurants as an analytics executive and earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.

Amy Ryan, a 2002 alumna of Northwest, is a senior vice president at Commerce Bank and the commercial team leader in the St. Joseph area, having worked there since 2007. She was employed previously with Northwest Missouri State’s Small Business Center and ADP Retirement Services.

She also is secretary and allocations co-chair of United Way of Greater St. Joseph and serves on the board of Hillcrest/Pivotal Point Transitional Housing and assisted with the purchase of an apartment complex for families in need, as well as a thrift store to generate income for the organization.

Ingram’s magazine’s “40 Under Forty” edition annually recognizes the achievements and promise of the Kansas City area’s young executives, professionals and community leaders. Individuals are nominated and selected based on ethics and integrity, leadership, achievement in business, entrepreneurship; executive-level managerial status, professional affiliations and associations, appointments to boards and commissions, and community service.

To read the complete Ingram’s “40 Under 40” story featuring Gray and Ryan, click here.