At Philanthropy Advocates, we believe that every Texas student should be able to access high-quality education from cradle to career and that foundations and major donors have a role to play in advancing education policy.
We are a membership association made up of about 60 Texas foundations who care about public and higher education.
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Welcome Ryan Franklin!
October 10, 2024
Ryan Franklin joins Philanthropy Advocates as Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy
Veteran education advocate teams up with fellow Managing Director Becky Calahan
AUSTIN – Ryan Franklin has joined Philanthropy Advocates as Managing Director, Policy & Advocacy, in an exciting development for the nonprofit membership association. Working alongside Becky Calahan, the Managing Director, Strategy & Operations, this duo will co-lead the organization through the 2025 legislative session and beyond.
Ryan has been a pivotal figure at Educate Texas under the Communities Foundation of Texas, where he played a key role in advancing policies to support Texas students and teachers. Prior to his time at Educate Texas, Ryan was the associate commissioner for educator leadership and quality at the Texas Education Agency, overseeing educator preparation and licensure.
“With his extensive background in policy and advocacy, I am excited to partner with Ryan to achieve our vision for Texas students, teachers and communities,” said Becky Calahan. “He has deep respect from peers across many varying perspectives, making him an invaluable addition to our Philanthropy Advocates team.”
Philanthropy Advocates is a membership association of private, community and corporate foundations across Texas working to support and improve Texas education systems through amplifying and engaging the philanthropic sector in complex policy and advocacy efforts. This legislative session they will pursue policy changes to ensure every Texas student:
Has access to early childhood education settings that lead to foundational early reading and math success
Has effective educators who are prepared, supported and fairly compensated
Is equipped to pursue and complete postsecondary opportunities that lead to family-sustaining wages and economic mobility, and
Has access to equitably resourced, effective education systems (from early childhood through postsecondary).
Ryan’s previous roles include policy advisor to former commissioners of education Michael Williams and Robert Scott, as well as service on the Texas Senate Committee on Education staff. Starting his career as a classroom teacher in rural Texas, Ryan is a first-generation college graduate who understands firsthand the life-changing power of education.
“I’ve been a Philanthropy Advocates fan and collaborator for many years, and I’m grateful for this opportunity,” said Franklin. “I share the organization’s vision that all Texas students have access to effective education systems that enable them to pursue their dreams and equip them for economic mobility and lifelong success.”
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Managing Director, Strategy & Operations
Becky has led Philanthropy Advocates since 2021 with a strategic focus on advancing student success by supporting and improving education.
Through dynamic programming and advocacy initiatives that amplify the Texas philanthropic sector, Becky serves as a trusted partner to Texas philanthropies and state policymakers in uplifting timely data, research and community examples to achieve results for students and communities.
Becky previously worked in the Texas Legislature for a member of the Texas House Committee on Public Education and the Texas House Committee on Appropriations, Article III Subcommittee. She is a former graduate fellow at the Greater Texas Foundation, and worked for Philanthropy Advocates through many organizational evolutions from the Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium to the organization it is today.
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Managing Director, Policy & Advocacy
Ryan joined Philanthropy Advocates in 2024 after serving as a pivotal figure at Educate Texas under the Communities Foundation of Texas, where he played a key role in advancing policies to support Texas students and teachers. Prior to his time at Educate Texas, Ryan was the associate commissioner for educator leadership and quality at the Texas Education Agency, overseeing educator preparation and licensure.
Ryan’s previous roles include policy advisor to former commissioners of education Michael Williams and Robert Scott, as well as service on the Texas Senate Committee on Education staff. Starting his career as a classroom teacher in rural Texas, Ryan is a first-generation college graduate who understands firsthand the life-changing power of education.