Ryan Paugh

Community builder and entrepreneur

Ryan Paugh is a prominent entrepreneur and community builder, currently serving as the President, COO, and Co-Founder of Community.co, a company focused on creating and managing professional communities for ambitious professionals and global brands. His career began with the co-founding of Brazen Careerist, a platform designed for high-achieving young professionals, where he led community development efforts. This venture was recognized as a significant social network for Generation Y entrepreneurs by Mashable.

In 2010, Paugh co-founded the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) alongside Scott Gerber, an exclusive organization for top entrepreneurs under 40. YEC has gained a reputation as one of the most elite networks of its kind, providing its members with vital resources and connections, contributing to the generation of billions in revenue and the creation of numerous jobs.

At Community.co, established in 2015, Paugh and his team aim to innovate the landscape of professional organizations by launching various vetted communities that enhance networking and business opportunities. His work has earned him recognition as a "cult legend" in the online community-building sphere, and he is dedicated to fostering strong membership experiences for executives and entrepreneurs across the country.

Paugh is also the author of Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter, which outlines strategies for effective networking in the digital age. He holds a degree in Journalism and Business from Penn State University.1 2

Highlights

Oct 24 · Customer Think

The Top Books on Customer Service - Customer Think

Jan 9 · Fast Company

The importance of human brands - Fast Company

Experience

President, COO, & Co-Founder at Community.co (January 2015 - Present, Greater Boston Area)

Co-Founder at Fast Company Executive Board (March 2021 - Present), Co-Founder at Rolling Stone Culture Council (September 2020 - Present), Co-Founder at Business Journals Leadership Trust (January 2019 - Present), Co-Founder at Forbes Councils (September 2015 - Present, Greater Boston Area), Co-Founder at YEC (2010 - Present, Greater Boston Area), Co-Founder at Brazen Technologies, Inc. (August 2007 - March 2011)