Meet our Executive Director, Ryan Dowis

---

Ryan Dowis joined the FFTA team in June 2020 after being appointed the Association’s first Executive Director.

Prior to joining FFTA, Ryan was the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for FFTA member, Cornerstones of Care, where he provided executive leadership in the areas of organizational strategy, program operations, technology-to-practice, community engagement and other operations. Prior to joining Cornerstones, Ryan worked for the Missouri Division of Family Services & Youth Services International, Inc.

Ryan brings a wealth of FFTA experience to this position. Prior to joining FFTA as the Executive Director, he served on the FFTA Board of Directors for four years and chaired the FFTA Membership Committee. He also served the Association’s Executive, Public Policy and Conference Committees.

Ryan has served as a resource, contributor or member to a number of human service initiatives locally and nationally, including: the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities; National Child Welfare Workforce Institute’s Advisory Committee; Missouri’s Child and Family Service Review Advisory Committee; Missouri’s Task Force on the Recruitment, Training and Licensing of Foster/Adoptive Parents; and the Missouri Alliance for Children and Families.

Ryan holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he has also served as an Adjunct Instructor teaching Child Welfare courses. More information about Ryan’s professional experience can be found here.