Ryan Virden

Ryan Virden is an esteemed author, educator, cultural worker, leadership coach, and public speaker with over fifteen years of experience working with individuals, teams, and organizations. Grounded in a background spanning research, classroom teaching, restorative justice, and executive leadership, Ryan’s work emphasizes creating strong, authentic relationships that enable clients to build trust, clarity, and connection through their work.
A sought-after speaker and writer, Ryan Virden is the author of the newly released book Breaking the Privilege Frame, a compelling and essential read for anyone seeking to understand and address the complexities of race and privilege in today's world. His work offers readers a fresh perspective for those working on dismantling oppressive systems, one that calls for an honest exploration of identity, engagement in meaningful dialogue, and work towards greater justice and equity. By dissecting the historical roots of white supremacy and the language used to discuss race, Breaking the Privilege Frame challenges conventional narratives through a thought-provoking exploration of how race operates.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Lir Cultural Coaching, Ryan has partnered with dozens of organizations across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors to strengthen leadership capacity, facilitate conflict resolution efforts, and build cultures of belonging. His approach combines data-informed assessment tools with reflective practice and systems design to transform cultures from the inside out.
Ryan’s writing has appeared in The Good Men Project and Twin Cities Daily Planet, and his work has been featured by Minnesota Public Radio. He holds advanced degrees in both Liberal Studies and Educational Leadership, and is working toward a third in Human Resource Law. Additionally, Virden is an adjunct professor in the Justice and Peace Studies department at the University of St. Thomas, working each semester to help young people understand the manifestations of violence and work for a more just and peaceful world. In his work, he continues to bridge scholarship and practice through his writing, coaching, and workshops.
Originally from northeast Minneapolis, Ryan found his voice via hip hop and enjoys debating your ‘top 5 dead or alive’. He’s also a fan of rom-com films, especially the cheesy ones from the 90's and early 00's. Outside of work, he is a proud husband and dad to two daughters plus two canine companions. He currently lives in Atlanta, GA.