Out in National Security and New America has released a list honoring the contributions of 40 LGBTQIA+ experts in U.S. national security and foreign policy that includes the work and achievements of Ryan Ubuntu Olson (’11).
The annual list features experts currently serving in government, the military, think tanks, academia, and non-governmental organizations.
Olson, a Technical Advisor on Gender and Human Rights for Palladium, has more than 15 years of global health and human rights-related experience working in coordination with numerous U.S. agencies and has worked in multiple-country contexts on issues of HIV, sexual reproductive health and rights, gender and sexual diversity, and diversity and inclusion.
Olson’s work under the Health Policy Projects includes the development of a global Gender and Sexual Diversity training for PEPFAR, implemented in 40 countries and more than 5,000 staff members. He developed a policy advocacy guide for LGBTI advocates throughout the continent of Africa, and a discrimination reporting system alongside the government of Ghana and local partners.
At Palladium, Olson has helped spearhead many of its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and to expand conceptions of inclusive development practices across Palladium projects.
Olson was recognized in 2017 by the Clinton Foundation for his outstanding commitment to advancing global LGBTI human rights at the annual Clinton Global Initiative University. In May of 2018, he joined a U.S. Congressional Delegation to Cuba as a gender and sexual diversity expert for the LGBTI-themed trip.
In 2020, Olson joined the Global Fund’s Technical Review Panel, which offers guidance to the Global Fund Secretariate. In 2021, Olson became a co-chair of the Society for International Development’s Inclusive Development working group.
In addition to his Master of Public Service, Olson earned his bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University.
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