From Capitol Hill to the National Stage: A Conversation with Speaker Paul Ryan

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Join the Institute of Politics and the Center for Public Leadership for a lunchtime conversation with Paul Ryan, the 54th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. During his tenure as Speaker, Ryan led the House at a pivotal moment in American politics, chairing both the Ways and Means and Budget Committees. In this candid discussion, he will reflect on his years in congressional leadership, sharing advice for students seeking to make an impact through careers in government and public service.

The conversation will be moderated by Beth Myers, Interim Co-Director of the Institute of Politics and a veteran campaign strategist who managed VP selection for Mitt Romney when Paul Ryan was selected as VP in the 2012 Presidential campaign. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from one of the most consequential congressional leaders of the 21st century.

*Lunch will be served

About Speaker Paul Ryan (2026 Hauser Leader, Center for Public Leadership)

Paul Ryan was the 54th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. In office from October 2015 to January 2019, he was the youngest speaker in nearly 150 years. Prior to becoming Speaker of the House, Paul served as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He also served as Chairman of the House Budget Committee from 2011-2015. In 2012, he was selected to serve as Governor Mitt Romney’s Vice-Presidential nominee. Paul was first elected to Congress at age 28 and represented Wisconsin’s First District for two decades. In 2019, he launched the American Idea Foundation, a non-profit organization that works with local organizations and academics to advance evidence-based public policies to alleviate poverty.

In 2021, Paul was named as a Partner at Solamere Capital. In 2022, he was named Vice Chairman of Teneo, a global CEO advisory firm.

Paul is a member of the Board of Directors of the Fox Corporation, of SHINE Medical Technologies LLC, and of Xactus. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Robert Bosch GmbH.

Paul serves as a Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame and is a distinguished visiting fellow in the practice of public policy at the American Enterprise Institute. He is on the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and on the Board of Directors for the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Paul and his wife Janna have three children: Liza, Charlie, and Sam. He holds a degree in economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio and was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University.

About Beth Myers, IOP Interim Co-Director

Beth Myers is an attorney and campaign advisor with over three decades’ experience in American government and politics.

Beth has been an influential figure in Mitt Romney’s political career. As one of his closest political advisors, she served as Chief of Staff during his governorship in Massachusetts, and in senior leadership positions in his campaigns for president in 2008 and 2012.

Beth is currently a principle of Buckminster Strategies, and is active in civic and educational activities. She serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and the Advisory Board for the Profiles in Courage Award at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. She has been a Resident Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. She graduated with a BA from Tufts University and a JD from Southern Methodist University Law School.