Ryan joined Ceres in the summer of 2015 and our policy work was forever changed. Fresh off Capitol Hill, Ryan was fluent in the legislative process and had a deep understanding of the climate and clean energy policy landscape. As the beloved senior director of our federal policy team, Ryan’s political acumen and analytical skills combined with his gracious demeanor won him allies on both sides of the aisle.
In 2019, Ryan spearheaded the first-ever Lawmaker Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) on Carbon Pricing, which was at the time the largest ever corporate call for climate action on Capitol Hill, with more than 75 companies participating in-person. Today, LEAD on a Clean Economy mobilizes hundreds of businesses and investors and remains the largest annual gathering of financial leaders committed to robust climate legislation. Ryan also developed and published our carbon pricing principles, clarifying the organization’s public position on the issue for the first time. He led our bench of business leader advocates to support a range of other initiatives, from phasing down hydrofluorocarbons, to climate-smart agriculture, to mandatory climate risk disclosure. Ryan always sought to bring all sides together for maximum, strategic impact.
Ryan’s passion for climate action and sustainability stretched far beyond his work in the halls of Congress or the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies. An avid hiker and skier, he loved the outdoors and had a special connection to the coast of Maine. In the Ceres office, Ryan’s collaborative spirit, positive energy and dry sense of humor won him friends from all corners. His steadfast commitment and tireless work ethic were grounded in the goal of building a better world for his family, friends, colleagues, and generations to come. Above all, his children, Finn and Livvy, and his wife Katie, meant the world to him.
Ryan passed away on March 4, 2022, after a two-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. We are grateful for the funders who honor Ryan's career and contributions by supporting this Fellowship to keep moving Ryan's work forward. To support the fellowship, donate here or contact Barbara Seymour, Development Director, at [email protected].
How to apply
The Ryan Martel Fellowship is designed for a highly-motivated self-starter, who has some prior policy campaign experience but who is in the early stages of their policy career. Fellows have the opportunity to work closely with our policy experts and a range of cross-sector stakeholders including our investor and corporate network members, congressional lawmakers and staff, nonprofit partners, and other climate and sustainability advocates. We look for applicants who can tackle complex challenges that require creative problem-solving and work in partnership with a wide array of cross-sector stakeholders. The fellowship is based in Washington, D.C.
The next fellowship application will open in 2024.
For more information, contact us at [email protected].