About
Ryan Smedes
20+ years inside nonprofits. I know what it's like when resources are tight, teams are stretched, and every decision has real stakes.
The Work Behind the Work
I've spent two decades inside the kind of organizations you lead—navigating limited resources, complex change, and the weight of doing work that matters.
I've lived in Latin America for a decade, supported dozens of program sectors, worked across 30+ countries, designed 100+ Theories of Change, and held senior roles at Compassion International and Food for the Hungry.
I know what it's like when every decision has real stakes. I know what it's like when teams are stretched thin and "doing more with less" isn't a cliché—it's Tuesday. I know what it's like to lead when the old way of doing things doesn't work anymore and you need to figure out what's next.
Now I work with nonprofits through focused consulting engagements, strategic support, and team coaching. I founded Orange Sky Initiatives in 2024, and today I lead the practice with support from Senior Consultant Leena Hill on select engagements. Together, we help leaders cut through overwhelm, clarify impact, and build teams that can lead without burning out.
20+
Years Experience
30+
Countries
100+
Theories of Change
Education
MPA in International Development, Policy & Management
University of Washington
Ryan Smedes
Principal Consultant
Orange Sky Initiatives, LLC
20+ Years · 5 Continents · Countless Organizations
Aligning Teams Across the World
I've been helping nonprofits find clarity for over two decades.
The Team
Senior Consultant
Leena Hill
Leena brings 20 years of experience in global humanitarian response and international operations. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Global Services at Bethany Christian Services, directing global operations and strategic planning across country offices and international partners. At Food for the Hungry, she led International Operations for a team of 3,300+ global staff and spent years engaging institutional donors including USAID and the State Department, securing significant funding for humanitarian response across Africa and beyond.
Leena partners with Orange Sky on select engagements, bringing additional depth and capacity to our work with nonprofit leaders. She holds an M.A. in International Development from American University and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa.