Janne Ryan

Change agent, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Investor, Philanthropist, Producer, Startup

Ideas curator [design and architecture], angel investor [in tech start-ups], philanthropist [in cultural projects]. As Founder, Arrow Collective, [formerly Creative Music Fund], we are pioneering in Australia a new model of philanthropy, giving everyone power to participate in philanthropic enterprises and in doing so become cultural decision makers and producers. Together we are stronger than we are apart. I live between Sydney and Dungog, a small rural town three hours drive north of Sydney. Here we farm grass-fed, organic cattle and tend to the soil and grasses. A lot to learn - always. Arrow is currently in development, with a refinement of our vision and purpose, and the practical elements - website design, typeface, aesthetic - are in the draft phase. As well as funding projects, we are looking now to ways of growing the brand, so that those without money can be part of cultural curation and vision. To get to here, as a cultural entrepreneur, I have had leadership roles at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation [Executive Producer positions], and TEDxSydney [Founding Executive Producer and Curator], and columnist profiling leaders in business and culture for the Australian Financial Review Magazine. In 2018 my focus is on developing Arrow Collective, pursuing more investment opportunities in start ups [currently invested in two start-ups], and growing my management skills in transforming our cattle property in the Hunter Valley, Australia.

Having smart individuals get together - combining their energy, vision and resources - to shape culture. Together we can make dreams come true. We are stronger together than we are apart, Passion, ideas, and strategic commitment will get us there. I have been selected as a TED2018 Jeffersonian host: Re-inventing countryside, after we all move to the city As the world's population moves to the cities, what happens to the land, infrastructure and people left behind? The need for affordable housing, smart communities and new ways of creating enterprise require shifting mindsets and the definition of agriculture and trade. Dinner's on us, simply come ready for purposeful conversation hosted by Janne Ryan.

Together we can make dreams come true. Getting together groups of people to create new models of philanthropy and ways in which culture is created. In the past art collections, music, plays, poetry, architecture etc were curated and funded by public funding or the very wealthy. Now groups of people can shape the world. TEDx is a great example, but a single vision or idea itself can be more targetted, more specific, more integrated and strategic. I have been working on this model with a wide range of individuals, acting as a group of cultural commissioners. We are reaching new audiences across Australia, and globally. We are currently Foundation Partner, Dance Rites, Sydney Opera House, work nationally on an indigenous culture project. We collaborate with major organisations to commission work and ideas. This model works. Try it!

architecture, culture, design, farming, ideas curation, media, philanthropy

My TED story goes way back to watching TEDTalks in the early days, then becoming Founding Executive Producer, TEDxSydney, an experience that changed my world. We started out as one of the first TEDx events way back on 2010, with a small team of talented people, and have grown to being one of the leading global events. It has been a journey running parallel to the rise of the ideas culture globally, and the pivotal role played by TED. I have attended a number of events, including TEDWomen, TEDGLobal, and TEDLongbeach, TEDVancouver. I am currently working for TED.com in Australia TED@Westpac.

Running our family farm - currently undergoing a big shift across generations. We are committed to organic, healthy soils and cattle, the care of the land reflects in the health of the cattle.