Torchbearer: A Conversation with Ryan Wilson

In this episode, we speak with Kym Renner—career public servant and sister of actor Jeremy Renner—about her journey from a small-town childhood in Modesto to a life devoted to child welfare and social impact. Kym shares stories of growing up with Jeremy, witnessing his rise to global fame, and living through the trauma of his near-fatal snowplow accident—an experience that reshaped their family and strengthened their commitment to foster youth. She shares how they co-founded the RennerVation Foundation in Nevada and built the “Pave Your Way” program to support young people aging out of foster care with housing, life skills, and a real path to adulthood. And she reflects candidly on the pressures of visibility, the limits of celebrity philanthropy, and why lasting change depends on sustained, community-driven support long after the headlines fade.

Ryan Wilson is the founder and CEO of Team Trust Productions, one of the few disability-led video production companies in the United States. Through documentaries and fundraising films created with nonprofit organizations across the country, Ryan and his team work to place people with disabilities at the center of their own stories—as creators, leaders, and narrators rather than subjects of sympathy. Ryan himself lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, and his work is helping reshape how disability is represented in nonprofit storytelling and media. In this episode, we trace Ryan’s journey from growing up with a disability that shaped his perspective on the world to building a company dedicated to telling stories with authenticity, dignity, and trust.

With more than twenty-five years in nonprofit technology, Tracy Kronzak has worked across the ecosystem: from server racks and on-premise systems to cloud architecture, enterprise partnerships, and AI strategy. They’ve served in leadership roles at Salesforce.org, Microsoft’s Tech for Social Impact initiative, Bonterra, and multiple nonprofit tech consultancies, while advising mission-driven organizations on data governance, equity, and long-term sustainability. In this episode, we trace Tracy’s journey from the strawberry fields of New Hampshire to witnessing a murder in Moscow and finally to becoming a recognized voice at the intersection of technology and justice. 

Trey Devey is President of Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he leads one of the world’s most influential institutions for the education and development of young artists. Since assuming the presidency in 2017, he has guided Interlochen through a period of transformation—completing a decades-long campus plan, launching new global and online programs, and navigating the profound disruptions of the pandemic while strengthening the institution’s mission and long-term sustainability. Prior to Interlochen, Trey served as President of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and Cincinnati May Festival, where he led a financial turnaround, restored artistic capacity, and helped raise more than $225 million to secure the organization’s future. In this episode, we trace Trey’s journey from trombone student to consultant, orchestra executive, and president of a global arts institution—exploring the decisions that shaped him, the realities of leading through uncertainty, and his vision for educating not just exceptional artists, but citizen artists prepared to shape the future.

Tim Wilson is the founder and host of People in Fundraising, the podcast spotlighting the people who fuel the nonprofit sector. With more than two decades in prospect development across higher education and healthcare—including leadership roles at Harvard Business School, Intermountain Healthcare, and now Weber State University—Tim brings deep expertise in data, research, and donor strategy. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Apra International, reflecting a long-standing commitment to advancing the profession. In this episode, we trace Tim’s journey from growing up in New England to building a new life and career in Utah, explore what drives his passion for elevating the voices behind philanthropy, and discover which Star Wars character best captures who he is today.

Recognized as one of the Top Five CNN Heroes of 2025, Hillary Cohen is the co-founder of Every Day Action, a nonprofit tackling food waste and hunger by redirecting unused gourmet meals from Hollywood sets to people in need across Southern California. After years working as an assistant director and witnessing staggering amounts of food thrown away daily, Hillary and her co-founder, Sam Luu, set out to challenge the status quo and prove that feeding people shouldn’t be “too complicated.” What began during the pandemic has grown into a movement that partners with studios and fills plates instead of dumpsters. In this episode, Hillary shares how small shifts behind the scenes can lead to big change on the streets.

Recognized as one of the Top Five CNN Heroes of 2025, Tim Woodward is the Executive Director and a founding force behind Animal Rescue Corps, the national nonprofit created in 2010 to confront large-scale animal cruelty wherever it occurs. What began with a small team determined to fill a devastating gap in animal protection has grown into a nationwide rescue effort working hand in hand with law enforcement to save animals from neglect, abuse, and disaster. In this episode, he shares what it takes to lead life-saving operations, build powerful partnerships, and ensure that every animal has the chance to know safety, dignity, and care.

Recognized as one of the Top Five CNN Heroes of 2025, Heidi Carman is the founder and Executive Director of First Responder Therapy Dogs, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the emotional well-being of first responders. What began with Heidi and her own dog visiting local fire stations in California has grown into a national effort reaching firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and law enforcement officers across forty-six states. By bringing calm and connection into high-stress environments, Heidi is helping first responders navigate the daily toll of their work—one wagging tail at a time.

Recognized as one of the Top Five CNN Heroes of 2025, Debra Des Vignes is the founder and Executive Director of the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop (IPWW), a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals through the power of creative writing. Launched in 2018 after her decade-long career as a crime reporter, IPWW began as a single 12-week class inside one Indiana prison and has since expanded across eight correctional facilities in multiple states. Through writing, reflection, and community, Debra is giving people behind bars a chance to reclaim their voices—and their futures—one story at a time.

Julie Yurko is President & CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank, where she leads a neighbor-centric transformation of the charitable food system to deliver dignified, equitable access across 13 counties. A respected nonprofit leader and past president of Apra International, she serves on the boards of the Global FoodBanking Network, Better Business Bureau of Chicago, Feeding Illinois, and the Thrivent Member Network. In this episode, we trace Julie’s path from cello student and Chicago Symphony Orchestra fundraiser to crisis-tested food bank chief—exploring how faith, lived experience, and innovative community partnerships shape her vision to end hunger.