Ryan Ahari is the Deputy Director of State Policy for MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. He joins the team with more than 10 years of experience in public service and legislative advocacy.
Prior to MAZON, Ryan served as Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman’s Senior Field Deputy for Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys where he improved the quality of life for thousands of Angelenos. He also worked as State Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian’s Field Representative for Sherman Oaks, Valley Village, and North Hollywood and assisted more than 1,000 households on issues related to unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, rental assistance, and more.
As a United States Peace Corps Volunteer, Ryan served our nation in Armenia by teaching English language and professional skills, improving the local tourism business, and exchanging American culture and values. He also helped flip the House of Representatives as Field Organizer on the Josh Harder for Congress campaign in California’s 10th Congressional District. Ryan previously joined and contributed to the offices of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congressman Conor Lamb on Capitol Hill. As Policy Analyst for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, he spearheaded the successful passage of hate crimes resolution H.Res.257 and S.Res.118 and directed the organization’s partnership and coalition building efforts.
While earning his B.A. in Political Science at UCLA, Ryan worked in various student government offices and UCLA Federal Relations. He also contributed as field staff to Sharon Quirk Silva’s 2014 State Assembly campaign and a 2015 LAUSD race. He was elected as a school board member not only for the Rancho Santiago Community College District but also as a Senator for California’s statewide community college student body where he championed universal higher education and successfully prevented draconian budget cuts.