Ryan Davis
Ryan Davis is the Co-Founder and COO of People First, an influencer marketing agency specializing in politics, nonprofits, public health, B2B, and commercial sectors. With over two decades of experience in digital strategy, he has led social media teams at agencies and organizations. Currently, Ryan is a digital nomad, spending much of his time exploring South America. In his free time, he co-hosts Out of Office, a travel podcast.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up on the rural Eastern Shore of Maryland, in a small town called Salisbury. I was an early internet enthusiast, working tech support at an ISP and managing a cyber café in the mid-to-late 90s. Alongside my passion for technology, I loved theatre and film, believing I would eventually work professionally in either industry. My interests at the time spanned both entertainment and technology, shaping my ambition to build a creative, impactful career in one of these fields. Bill Gates and Quentin Tarantino were my role models in high school.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
In 2003, during the buildup to the Iraq War, I felt deeply drawn to the anti-war and anti-Bush movements. I became involved in early organizing efforts for Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, which led me to move from New York City to Burlington, VT, to work full-time on his web team. That experience was a turning point, teaching me invaluable lessons about digital and political strategy. It also introduced me to people who would become key collaborators throughout my career.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say “YES, go for it!”
My co-founder Curtis and I had experience working with influencers in the commercial space, but in 2019, we noticed a gap—no influencer agencies were focusing on politics and advocacy. That insight motivated us to launch People First, making us the first agency to engage creators in the political space. When the pandemic hit, we quickly pivoted and became experts in public health campaigns, advocating for vaccines and masks. The opportunity to bridge social influence with important causes was our “YES” moment, driving us to take the leap and create something entirely new.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
We are heavily involved in electing Democrats, including Kamala Harris, in this election cycle. As the largest and most experienced political influencer firm, we feel a responsibility to engage creators through initiatives like our “Creators and Influencers for Kamala” event—the largest gathering of pro-Kamala creators to date. Additionally, we’ve expanded into B2B and healthcare campaigns to ensure the business remains strong both during and between election cycles. Our goal is to drive meaningful engagement through influencers, shaping conversations that make a lasting impact across politics and beyond.
Everyone has their own set of challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. Still, the most essential part for others to learn is how you deal with those. Would you like to share with us your challenges and your coping mechanisms?
Our initial challenge was building a business that wouldn’t follow the boom-and-bust cycle of election seasons. From my time leading the social media team at Blue State Digital, I learned the importance of diversifying across verticals. That’s why we expanded our expertise beyond politics into public health, B2B, and commercial influencer work. This approach allows us to maintain a strong, consistent team year-round, ensuring stability and growth between election cycles. By broadening our scope, we’ve built a business model that thrives regardless of political timelines.
While the global pandemic of COVID-19 is associated primarily with adversities, it has also brought about a true boom in startups, with successful entrepreneurship in many countries. The pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Would you like to share your experience on a personal and professional level?
We closed our office in March 2020 and never looked back! Today, our large, diverse, and decentralized team works seamlessly using tools like Slack and Google Meet. The pandemic also gave us the opportunity to specialize in public health campaigns, promoting vaccines not only for COVID-19 but also for Mpox and the flu. As we look ahead to 2025, we plan to expand our healthcare practice into other rare diseases and conditions, partnering with companies and organizations to drive awareness and impact. The shift to remote work and healthcare advocacy has transformed both our business and team dynamics for the better.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
We’re proud to have won multiple consecutive Pollie Awards for Outstanding Political Influencer work. On the healthcare front, we’ve successfully advocated for insurance companies to cover life-saving treatments and tests, positively impacting patient access to essential care. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to driving meaningful change, both in politics and public health. We look forward to continuing this important work, expanding our influence, and creating more opportunities to make a difference in the future.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Women are a vital part of our organization—in fact, they lead all three of our main teams: creators, accounts, and business development. My advice to young women entrepreneurs is to find mentors who genuinely care about your growth and build a community of like-minded founders who are driven to make a difference. Support one another and collaborate whenever possible—no one can succeed alone. The change I’d love to see is a world where women have equal opportunities, feel empowered to lead, and know they can achieve great things through community and shared purpose.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to make and maintain friendships across all stages of life. Build a network of people who genuinely care about you, and nurture that support. Do favors when you can, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Be a team player—put in the work and don’t shift responsibilities just because it’s easier. Most importantly, strive to be someone your team enjoys working with. My personal motto is: Build meaningful connections, show up for others, and contribute to a positive, collaborative environment.
Women are a growing force in workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
Organizations that promote the best talent will naturally promote a lot of women—and we’ve done just that. It’s not only something I’m proud of, but it’s also a key driver of our company’s success. With half of your customers being women, failing to give talented women a seat at the table means missing out on valuable revenue. Beyond gender, it’s essential to embrace nonbinary and trans individuals and ensure diversity in all its forms. Inclusive organizations are stronger and more innovative. Diversity isn’t just a value—it’s a competitive advantage that helps companies thrive.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Grit and determination are essential for getting things done, but empathy, understanding, and kindness are equally crucial leadership traits. A good leader isn’t defined by grit alone or empathy alone—it’s about developing a holistic approach to leadership. Strive to be the kind of boss you’d want to work for, and you’ll inspire your team to go above and beyond. A positive, supportive work environment makes all the difference. Leadership isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about creating a workplace where people feel valued and motivated to grow.