Ryan Lavarnway

Ryan Lavarnway is a former Major League Baseball catcher, currently working as a catching coach for the Chicago Cubs and leadership consultant with Spark Brilliance. Over his fifteen-year career, Ryan represented eight different teams in the Major Leagues, including the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. He also proudly represented Israel internationally in both the World Baseball Classic and the Olympics, which earned him recognition in the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

Ryan began his journey to the majors as a standout at Yale University. In 2007, he became the NCAA batting champion by hitting an impressive .467 and set a new Ivy League record with a 25-game hitting streak. He also holds the Ivy League all-time career home run record with 34.

Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2008, Ryan quickly established himself as a powerful hitter, being named to multiple minor league All-Star teams and earning Minor League Offensive Player of the Year twice.

After his big-league debut in 2011, Ryan continued to excel on the field, setting multiple MLB and franchise records. Internationally, he earned MVP recognition for his play in the World Baseball Classic and was named to be the first ever captain of Team Israel ahead of the 2023 European Championships.

Ryan is a dynamic and entertaining speaker with a wealth of experience to draw upon. He brings a unique perspective to his public speaking engagements, combining his passion for baseball with his personal journey and experiences.

Sample Keynote Speech:

In his empowering and engaging keynote presentation, Ryan will show you practical ways to use positive psychology to improve your mindset and performance. You’ll be challenged to look at your own perceived limitations and see how they are holding you back. More importantly, you’ll learn the secret to unlocking potential. Are you ready to question what’s possible?