“Every day is Memorial Day to me, and I think it’s important that every day is Memorial Day to the rest of this country.”

--Ryan Manion

Top Character Strengths

BRAVERY - KINDNESS - HUMOR

Ryan Manion has dedicated her life to supporting our nation’s military, veterans, and families of fallen heroes. She is inspired by the character, leadership, and sacrifice of her brother 1stLt Travis Manion, USMC, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq on April 29th, 2007. 

As CEO of Travis Manion Foundation (TMF), Ryan leads a national movement focused on empowering veterans and families of the fallen to serve as community leaders and develop character in future generations. TMF is one of the nation’s leading Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), inspiring over 300,000 members nationwide to adopt the “If Not Me, Then Who…” ethos. 

Carrying on the legacy of her brother Travis, Ryan has been recognized with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service. She previously served on the Advisory Committee at Arlington National Cemetery and is a board member for With Honor. In 2011, she was elected as Doylestown Township Supervisor, where she served for 12 years. In 2018, Ryan was selected to participate in the inaugural class of George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program, a 6-month program bringing together leaders from a wide range of sectors who are dedicated to improve post-9/11 veteran outcomes. 

Best-selling author of “The Knock at the Door,” host of top 1% podcast “The Resilient Life,” and author of the newly published children’s book, “Things My Brother Used to Say,” Ryan’spersonal mission is to empower others to turn loss into an inspiration to serve. A widely 

regarded military advocate, she is often invited to speak nationally on behalf of TMF and the military community. 

She was recently appointed as ship sponsor for both the USS John Basilione, a guided missiledestroyer commissioned in 2024, and the USS Travis Manion, an amphibious warship scheduled to begin her build in the coming years. 

Ryan resides in Doylestown, PA, with her three children: Maggie, Honor and Travis. Maggie is currently in her second year at United States Naval Academy. 

Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree from Cabrini College, has launched two successful businesses, and prior to TMF worked for the government of Bucks County, PA, in the Office of Community and Business Development. After her mother, Janet, passed in 2012, she took over the helm at TMF.