Ryan Henington
Ryan joined Astria Elevate in 2025, where he supports deal sourcing, investment diligence, and operational execution across portfolio companies. He brings a hands-on operator’s mindset and a track record of building and scaling ventures with speed and discipline.
Prior to Astria, Ryan founded and led Wildcat NIL, the official NIL collective of Kansas State Athletics. What began as a grassroots startup evolved into a nationally recognized organization, raising and deploying over $12M across a donor network spanning all 50 states. Under his leadership, the team built a 501(c)(3) platform, secured 100+ corporate sponsorships, and developed one of the most effective NIL operations in the Big 12 conference.
Ryan also brings direct experience in the services sector, having launched and scaled a restoration business from the ground up. He led the company through rapid growth, built a high-performing team, and delivered strong profitability before exiting the business to focus on new opportunities.
He holds an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance and a B.B.A. in Sales and Management from Kansas State University, where he was also a member of the football team and a multi-year Academic All-Big 12 honoree. Outside of work, Ryan is passionate about giving back – he helped launch community programs such as Shop With a Cat, which has raised over $20,000 to support children and families in need during the holidays.