CCCD Foundation

Ryan G. Cook is a senior advancement executive with more than 15 years of higher education fundraising experience and over 20 years of executive leadership across both the public and private sectors. His career reflects a comprehensive advancement pathway beginning in corporate and foundation relations and progressing through annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital initiatives, and full-spectrum revenue oversight in support of student access, equity, and institutional excellence.

In addition to his higher education leadership, Ryan brings significant private-sector experience from professional sports organizations, including work with the California Rodeo, three NBA franchises, the Los Angeles Angels, and the High Desert Mavericks, Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. This background informs his strategic, relationship-driven approach to fundraising, partnership development, and market expansion applying proven business practices in service of mission-driven philanthropy.

Ryan has served in advancement leadership roles at five universities across the country, including multiple institutions within the California State University system, as well as Seattle University and Cleveland State University. This experience has provided him with a diverse, national perspective and the ability to adapt advancement strategies to distinct institutional cultures, community contexts, and donor landscapes. He has partnered closely with presidents, chancellors, senior leadership teams, and foundation boards to align philanthropy with academic and student success priorities. Across these institutions, he has restructured annual funds, relaunched major giving societies, cultivated corporate and foundation partnerships, and secured endowed scholarships, naming opportunities, and transformational gifts including multiple seven-figure commitments that strengthened long-term sustainability.

As Executive Director of the Coast Community College District Foundation, Ryan is deeply committed to the district’s mission of expanding educational access, advancing equity, supporting workforce development, and strengthening regional economic mobility. He approaches this role with humility and curiosity, eager to be a “sponge” in learning the community college world and culture, and with a clear understanding of and respect for the important differences between two-year and four-year institutions. He is focused on building authentic partnerships that reflect the unique role community colleges play in meeting students where they are and responding to regional workforce needs. Ryan will focus his efforts on working collaboratively with Coastline College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College to elevate district-wide philanthropy while honoring each college’s distinct identity and fundraising priorities, serving as a connector and resource to enhance not duplicate campus-based advancement efforts.

A local graduate of Newport Harbor High School, Ryan also attended Mater Dei High School and maintains strong ties with the Orange County community. He attended both Golden West College and the University of Southern California, where he earned his degree and was a proud student-athlete in water polo, an experience that continues to shape his values of teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

"I am enthusiastic about collaborating closely with each college’s leadership and foundation executive directors to serve as a strategic connector across campuses. In this role, I aim to enhance capacity by bringing an additional advancement resource to local, regional, and national markets, while fully supporting each college’s unique mission, culture, and priorities. My approach is rooted in collaboration, not competition, ensuring that together we advance the educational opportunities, student success, and community impact that are at the heart of each institution’s work."