About Ryan
Ryan Hersha is a long-time Battle Creek resident, dedicated teacher, and passionate community leader.
When he was younger, Ryan attended Battle Creek and Lakeview Public Schools. After earning a BA at The University of Michigan and an MA at The University of Virginia, Ryan returned to Battle Creek to teach at the college he first attended and give back to his hometown.
Previously uninvolved in political activism, in March 2003 Ryan signed up on MoveOn.org to be the organizer for a small event in Battle Creek, part of a “Global Candlelight Vigil for Peace” convened by Desmond Tutu and held around the world in 6,000 cities. To Ryan’s own surprise, 150 people showed up at the Battle Creek event to express their concern about the way our country was being misled into the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Among those 150 people were many of the people who would become his dear friends today, and who would encourage him to become involved in electoral politics.
Later, Ryan and a small but committed group of idealistic volunteers, interested in bringing more people into the political process at the national, state, and local levels, would run a hard-fought campaign for the Battle Creek City Commission and, against all expectations, win — by 11 votes — in the city’s most conservative ward (5).
Since then, Ryan has been delivering on his platform of responsible government and independent, forward-thinking leadership, earning support from people across the political spectrum. He has also proven himself to be a responsive, accessible commissioner, helping people to know they have a real friend at City Hall. In 2005, the people of Battle Creek elected Ryan again, this time on the at-large ballot.
Among some of Ryan’s notable accomplishments on the City Commission are the following reforms: Battle Creek’s “Best Value” contracting policy, ensuring that the public’s dollars are spent responsibly; a strengthened prevailing wage ordinance, protecting working families; the Code of Ethics for Battle Creek City Commissioners; and the Battle Creek Climate Protection Policy.
The National Journal has described Ryan as one of the “stars to watch in the future.” The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Washington Bureau has mentioned Ryan as one of “Eight to Watch” among young elected leaders nationwide.
Professionally, Ryan teaches web-based leadership development courses for Young People For. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys hiking, cycling, reading, backyard barbecues, and traveling around the beautiful state of Michigan.