Who is Ryan McDonald?

Party On Wayne!!

Imagine a career that began in the trenches of a Network Operations Center, tackling the early complexities of VOIP, and evolved into a remarkable journey spanning product innovation, technical expertise, and leadership. That’s Ryan McDonald: a Product Manager, mentor, innovator, and someone who thrives in the intersection of technology and humanity.

Ryan isn’t just a seasoned Product Manager; he’s a storyteller who connects people, ideas, and possibilities. Whether it’s hiking the breathtaking trails of Machu Picchu, playing guitar, or leading the charge on transformative projects, his life is a blend of relentless curiosity and grounded resilience. He’s climbed career peaks just as ambitious as his mountain adventures, with successes that span from launching cutting-edge OTT platforms to pioneering game streaming services before the industry had a name for them.

Ryan’s secret weapon? An uncanny ability to navigate ambiguity and transform chaos into clarity. At ESPN, he spearheaded the industry’s first tech conversion from Adobe Player to JavaScript Player, seamlessly integrating live ads for millions of viewers. At Cognizant, he led a team that delivered a COVID-19 rapid testing platform and pitched “Product Management as a Service”—securing key wins against major consulting competitors. His expertise in video streaming, IoT, AI/ML, and ad tech is complemented by a deep passion for learning, teaching, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

But Ryan is more than his achievements. He’s a music aficionado who attended over 1,000 concerts in his youth and plays guitar with an ever-growing appreciation for rhythm as he learns the drums. He loves to connect with people, whether over a shared meal or through thoughtful conversations that inspire change. His career has always been about connection—to teams, to users, and to the larger purpose behind the technology he builds.

Ryan’s impact doesn’t stop at his resume. He’s the guy who sees the world not as it is, but as it could be. He’s driven by a belief that the world needs leaders who are unafraid to bear the burden of leadership, who can guide others through uncertainty, and who value humor, humility, and collaboration over ego.

If you ask Ryan what he’s most proud of, it’s not just the technical milestones or the business wins. It’s the moments when he’s helped someone grow—whether it’s mentoring a colleague into a promotion, coaching a team through a high-stakes launch, or inspiring others to think differently. That’s the core of who he is: a lifelong learner, a dedicated mentor, and a catalyst for innovation.

So, who is Ryan McDonald? He’s a bridge-builder, a creative thinker, and a relentless problem-solver. He’s a human centered around curiosity, passion, and an enduring drive to make a meaningful impact—one project, one person, and one bold idea at a time.

ryan.mcdonald.us@gmail.com | Denver, CO | @mcdonaldryank

Emphasis in Operations Management

Clemson, 2004

Pragmatic Institute PMC

Pend.io Product-Led

Google Widevine DRM CWIP

Tableau, Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Nielsen, Conviva, New Relic, Datadog, Heap, PowerBI, Kafka, SignalFX (Splunk)

Python, Java, SQL, SPL, Kotlin, Go, TypeScript, Docker, Kubernetes, Bash/Shell Scripting, JavaScript, Spring, Dropwizard, Swagger

Snowflake, Splunk Enterprise Security, CRM, ERP, GitHub, GitLab, Selenium, Sauce Labs

JIRA, Confluence, Slack, MS Devops, Trello, Figma, Miro