Connie Ryan

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is the leading voice across Iowa engaging people from diverse religious and nonreligious perspectives to work for the common good. Since 2002, Connie Ryan has served as Executive Director. She is a well-known voice in the public square speaking out to protect religious freedom while ensuring it is not misused as a tool to harm or discriminate; advancing civil rights and fairness for those who are marginalized; and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremist ideologies. Connie also serves as the organization’s lobbyist, effectively shaping public policy at the Statehouse. ‍ Connie believes the best work in any social justice movement is accomplished through collaborative efforts and coalition partnerships. She has spent many years building relationships with faith, civil rights, labor, education, and many other organizational partners and is grateful for their work and partnership to create a more just Iowa. ‍ In 2010, Connie was instrumental in establishing the coalition Justice Not Politics (JNP) to protect Iowa’s courts from politicization and attacks by special interest groups. Connie remains as president of JNP, which is the state’s leading coalition on judicial independence. Connie has served the progressive community and built relationships through her service on several non-profit boards including One Iowa, Iowa Safe Schools, Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN), Friends of Iowa Legal Aid, and Iowa Immigration Education Coalition. Connie was named a 2019 Woman of Influence by the Des Moines Business Record. The Business Record's Women of Influence awards celebrate the work of women who have made a difference, women who have devoted their lives to doing things most wouldn't, women who've spent countless hours on various boards and they've blazed a trail either personally or professionally for other women to follow. Connie holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa and a B.A. from Drake University.