Matthew Ryan

Matthew Ryan joined the boards of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals in January 2020. He is a member of the Finance Committee and the Quality and Health Improvement Committee.

Ryan has extensive senior-level experience in the areas of customer digital experience, innovation, product development, and brand management, and he is currently the chief executive officer of Soli Organic Inc. Soli Organic is the market leader in organic controlled-environment agriculture, providing fresh herbs and leafy greens to consumers nationwide.

Ryan formerly served as chief marketing officer for Starbucks. In that role, he led the marketing, brand, and product functions. Ryan’s specific responsibilities included the development and execution of marketing plans, and management of the food and beverage portfolio including new product development, digital customer experience innovation, creative and brand management, data analytics, and consumer insights.

Prior to serving as CMO, Ryan served as Starbucks’ chief strategy officer, with responsibilities for the enterprise’s long-term strategic planning process, identifying new avenues for growth, and sharpening customer relationship management, loyalty, and digital capabilities.

Before joining Starbucks in May 2013, Ryan was senior vice president of global brand, franchise, and customer relationship management for The Walt Disney Company. In that role, Ryan led the stewardship and development of Disney’s global brand equity across the company. He provided consumer input into the company’s long-term strategic planning, oversaw the development and cultivation of character franchises, and led development of enterprise customer relationship management programs, including the Disney Rewards Visa Card. Ryan has also held strategic planning roles with several national and international advertising agencies.

Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in history and literature, magna cum laude, from Harvard University.