chrisryan.org St. Louis, MO chris@chrisryan.org
Most useful when it matters.
Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan
St. Louis, Missouri

An advocate for all that is well-made, well-designed, and thoughtful. I build and tell stories for a living — and I love St. Louis. If you do too, let's chat.

work
Once Films
Boutique video production company in the heart of St. Louis. Nationally recognized for documentary and commercial work — six National ADDY Awards, thirty Emmy Awards, a CLIO, and over $1.5 billion raised for St. Louis nonprofits.
oncefilms.com ↗
STL.org
Nonprofit editorial platform for hyperlocal St. Louis storytelling. Home of the Spotlight Series® films and written profiles of the people, places, and organizations that make the region tick.
stl.org ↗
Curiosity Building
A 1913 building on Locust Street in Midtown Alley, renovated into a working studio, gallery, and live/work space. Custom-engineered throughout, solar-powered, and proof that adaptive reuse done right is its own kind of storytelling. 2020 SLBJ Building Award winner.
oncefilms.com/studio ↗
Fine Print Small Press
Books, records, whisky, posters, and cards — made with care and a willingness to complicate the process. Because sometimes wanting things to exist in the world is reason enough to make them.
fineprintsmallpress.com ↗
biography

~40 words
social, programs,
quick intros

~90 words
panels, conference
programs

~170 words
press kits,
long-form profiles

Right-click to save — for editorial and speaking use.

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service & recognition

Service isn't a sidebar — it's how I'm wired. I've spent years in global and domestic disaster response, trained in everything from rescue diving to firefighting. I show up for people's worst days because those are the days that matter most.

volunteer service

  • Board President · STL.org
  • Board Member · Art St. Louis
  • Board Member · The Luminary
  • FOCUS Leadership St. Louis, Cohort 49
  • Chair's Council Founding Member · Greater St. Louis, Inc.
  • 314 Day Steering Committee · STLMade
  • Communications Manager, Global VERT, S&R, EMT · Team Rubicon
  • Volunteer Firefighter, Water Rescue · Lake St. Louis FPD
  • Graphic Arts Advisory Board · St. Charles Community College
  • Creativity + Design Advisory Board · Alive Magazine

awards & recognition

  • Presidential Volunteer Service Award ×2
  • Generosity Award · Doorways Housing
  • Building 2020 Award · St. Louis Business Journal
  • Inc. 5000 · Inc. Midwest 250
  • 100 St. Louisans To Know · Small Business Monthly
  • National ADDY Awards, AAF (6)
  • Regional & District ADDY Awards, AAF District 9 + St. Louis AdClub (60)
  • CLIO Advertising Award
  • EMMY Award, NATAS Mid-America (30)
  • Award of Excellence · Communication Arts (4)
  • Honors Award · Art St. Louis
  • Applied Arts Award · Applied Arts Magazine

certifications

  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B), MO
  • Missouri Basic Firefighter Course, Lake St. Louis FPD
  • PADI Rescue Diver
  • Certified Outdoor Guide · University of Wyoming
  • Texas A&M EES ICS-400 Advanced Incident Command
  • Team Rubicon ICS-300 Intermediate Incident Command
  • FEMA IS-42 Social Media in Emergency Management
  • FEMA IS-800.b National Response Framework
  • FEMA IS-700.a National Incident Management System

 

  • FEMA IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources
  • FEMA IS-100.b Incident Command System
  • Department of Homeland Security IS-317
  • US Air Force Reserve Flight Security Clearance
  • PADI Specialty: Wreck, Night, Enriched Air, Equipment, Search & Recovery
  • PADI Advanced Open Water
  • PADI Adventure Certification
  • NAUI Open Water (SCUBA)
  • NASAR Search and Rescue Tech III
press & speaking

press

Innovation in Philanthropy 2026: Once Films St. Louis Business Journal · 2026 Interview with Local Documentary Filmmaker Chris Ryan PBS · Living St. Louis St. Louis Character: Driven by Curiosity and Service St. Louis Business Journal · 2022 Rebrand St. Louis? Residents Tell How St. Louis Business Journal · 2024 A Conversation With Chris Ryan About His Award-Winning Film Company The St. Louisan STL.org Film Spotlights the People Who Elevate the Region COCA 100 St. Louisans You Should Know Small Business Monthly Chris Ryan of Once Films Workbook · 2020 Workbook in Motion: Chris Ryan of Once Films Workbook · 2019 Building 2020 Awards: Renovation under $5 Million St. Louis Business Journal · 2020 Downtown Catalysts: Four Projects Transforming St. Louis St. Louis Business Journal · 2019 Once Films Draws National Recognition St. Louis Business Journal · 2014

speaking

Stories You Don't Just Read: The Future of Immersive Content STL TechWeek · 2026 Conversations + Creativity: Moderator St. Louis Design Week · 2019 Designing Creative Spaces: Moderator St. Louis Design Week · 2019 Is Failure the Path to Success? St. Louis Design Week · 2017 Creative Brain Trust: What is the Catalyst to Growth and Success of St. Louis? St. Louis Design Week · 2017 Closing Keynote: The Importance of Video in Today's Social Media World Social Media Club STL Summit · 2017
chris@chrisryan.org

Not on social media often —
this is the best place to find me.

be curious.