Ryan Kroening

Founder & President | Pronouns: They/Them or He/His

From helping to plan fundraisers for their high-school music program to overseeing accessibility & hospitality for an LGBTQ Conference while in college, Ryan combined passion and talent to create a career in the mission-driven events world.

Ryan earned their Bachelor of Individualized Studies degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Focused on Cultural Anthropology, Design, and Family Social Science with a minor in GLBT Studies, the degree was created on the premise of event coordination – working with diverse people to plan stunning gatherings.

Ryan is currently serving on the board of directors for AMAZEworks, a nonprofit creating equity and belonging for students. He has also spent numerous hours volunteering and working with the Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance, The Aliveness Project, The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, PFund Foundation, Project 515, OutFront MN, TEDxMinneapolis, Telling Queer History, among others.

A life-long music enthusiast, Ryan has been studying the French Horn for more than 21 years and has played with the City of Lakes Community Band since 2008. Ryan is social but an introvert. Likes frosting but not cake. Loves nature and cabins but not actual camping. His favorite color is Sparkle.

Becky Saltzman

Accessibility & Events Manager| Pronouns: She/Her

Passion driven is clearly conveyed by Becky Saltzman’s over 15 years of event planning expertise. She gained her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Hamline University, focusing on how to further intercultural social justice within the constraints of traditional nonprofits and event planning - a lens that is rooted in her Jewish identity.

Becky is a professional people helper. Wherever she goes, whether personal or professional, Becky adapts her skillsets making her the chameleon of event planning. Becky loves being a part of the Events by Lady K team because she gets to work with so many amazing people and organizations across the nation. She also enjoys helping to create spaces in which all attendees of an event are more able to participate.

Over the years Becky has worked with OutFront Minnesota and PFund Foundation as well as spent time with many local and national organizations including the BECAUSE Conference (Bisexual Organizing Project), the National LGBTQ Task Force, and the Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance, and Calliope Women’s Chorus.

In 2010, Becky was honored as the recipient of a Breaking the Silence Award from the University of Minnesota GLBTA Programs Office and of a Lavender Community award in 2014 from Lavender Magazine.

Outside of work Becky is a Broadway loving Hufflepuff, who can be often found participating in karaoke. She loves a good theme party, 5K mud-runs, and will forever be a camp counselor at heart.