The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded by the financial services industry to make a difference in communities across the country and around the world by amplifying the charitable work of financial advisors and their firms. To realize our goals, we recognize and reward philanthropy, inspire volunteerism, and inform the investing public about the positive impact made by advisors and their firms in their communities. Today, Invest in Others is the premier, industry wide non-profit dedicated to recognizing, encouraging, and supporting the charitable work of financial advisors and the advisory industry. For more information, visit www.investinothers.org.

Ryan Harman met a disabled Marine veteran out on the river while fly fishing one afternoon in 2007 and the rest, as they say, is history. The Marine reminded Ryan that fly fishing “helps you think about the good stuff,” and told him that organizations were promoting it as a way to help veterans heal. Even though this interaction with the Marine was short, it was memorable, and Ryan knew he wanted to be a part of something that gave veterans an opportunity to find something that they thought they lost – normal day-to-day life. Since then, Ryan has volunteered countless hours with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc., (PHWFF) a nonprofit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and other associated activities. The organization’s programs enable these individuals to establish bonds of support and camaraderie after experiencing the horrors of warfare.

Ryan’s initial efforts involved starting a PHWFF chapter in his Asheville, North Carolina community and creating a curriculum for programs geared towards homeless veterans. As a Regional Coordinator for North Carolina, Ryan helps run over 16 programs that serve 1,000 veterans annually. In 2012, he accepted a position on the organization’s National Board of Trustees, and is currently chair of its Development Committee. Additionally, Ryan created a planned giving program and established key partnerships to launch Camp Healing Waters, a multi-day camp for veterans that promotes life skills like personal finance and budgeting, stress management, and communication skills.

Join us in thanking the ‘Invest in Others Charitable Foundation’ for recognizing the important work of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and the great role Ryan Harman has played in bringing our unique form of therapy to countless injured and disabled veterans in-need of it.