Meet Ryan
Committed & Experienced Leadership
Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Ryan brings extensive experience and a deep-rooted commitment to this community. He is a small business owner, teacher, former Mayor & County Supervisor, policy advisor, award-winning podcast host, author and community volunteer. He’s gotten results for Santa Cruz, led us through crises, and is a nationally-recognized, innovative local government leader. Ryan and his wife Emily Bernard Coonerty are proud parents of Daisy and Kellan.
Understanding Ryan's Impact
Proven Leadership Experience
Ryan served as Mayor of Santa Cruz and as a County Supervisor. In these roles, he created jobs, parks, housing and public safety programs, while balancing the budget and bringing a new generation of community members into civic life.
Innovative Economic Development
A co-founder of NextSpace Coworking, Ryan has fostered entrepreneurship and small businesses. He’s advised multigenerational family businesses like Bookshop Santa Cruz and Dell Williams Jewelers. As Mayor, he reduced barriers for live music, reinvested government funds from big banks in local financial institutions and attracted the Warriors to Santa Cruz.
Environmental Stewardship
Ryan co-authored the City’s Clean Oceans, Rivers, and Beaches initiative and led the effort to create the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument. He’s a strong advocate for community-owned green energy, safe bike routes, and has consistently worked for safe and clean parks.
Leadership During Crisis
During the CZU Lightning Complex fires, Ryan played a pivotal role in response and recovery efforts, including establishing the Office of Response, Recovery, and Resilience to better prepare for future disasters.
Effective Public Safety
It is essential that our neighborhoods, parks and downtown are safe and welcoming. As a Supervisor, Ryan championed the PACT program to create accountability and treatment for chronic offenders. Ryan is committed to expanding these efforts to make all of our neighborhoods safer.
Advocate for Affordable Housing
Ryan led initiatives to incentivize affordable housing development, create accessory dwelling units and promote policies to support local, working families in our housing. He also has been a leader in holding UC Santa Cruz accountable for providing more housing and reducing its impact on our community.
Commitment to Protecting Vulnerable Populations
Ryan has been a steadfast advocate of women's rights, LGBTQIA+ equality, choice, and immigrant families. In response to the Trump administration, he has fought to protect vulnerable communities from cruel policies.
Supporter of Kids and Families
Many of Ryan’s most impactful policy initiatives focused on helping ensure that Santa Cruz is a great place to raise families – from launching Thrive by 3 to making Parks and Recreation programs more affordable. He has been a volunteer coach with the Boys and Girls Club and was recognized for his work by the United Way, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Volunteer Center.
Engaged Educator
A long-time lecturer at UC Santa Cruz and the Panetta Institute, Ryan is invested in educating future leaders, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and public policy. He currently serves as Executive Director of Leadership Santa Cruz County, a non-profit dedicated to building the next generation of leaders for our community.
