Ryan Janvion: 2016 Best and Brightest

Ryan Janvion Wake Forest

Ryan Janvion

Wake Forest University, School of Business

Hometown: Miami, Florida

High School: Miami Dade Christian School

Major: Business Enterprise Management

Minor: Economics

Favorite Business Courses: Dynamics in Organization, Managerial Accounting, Negotiations

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Football Team Captain, Santa’s Helpers Board member (community outreach, Athletes in Action Servant Team (Bible Study group for athletes), member of the Student athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC)

Where have you interned during your college career? 

Inmar – Winston-Salem, N.C.

I was a Supply chain and Remarketing intern, where I created and organized truckloads of goods for the sales team to sell to customers, as well as analyzed transactions to optimize production and selling efficiency.

Describe your dream job: My dream job would be coordinating and organizing NFL football games and major events such as the Super Bowl.

What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I enjoyed how real the classes were. We discussed current issues and events that were going on now in our world. I also loved learning about how major companies actually worked and how organizations were able to cultivate good environments for their employees to work in.

Where would you like to work after graduation? After I graduate, I plan to chase my dreams of playing in the NFL. After football, I would love to work for Nike or Adidas in Product management

What are your long-term professional goals? I want to be in high-level management for a very successful company. 

“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I started figuring out that I was good with people and enjoyed learning about how companies worked and carried out their daily operations.” 

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…an econ major. It’s the closest thing to business.”

What was the happiest moment of your life? Giving my life to Jesus Christ

Which academic or personal achievement are you most proud of? Being a 2-year Team captain and making the Dean’s list while in the business school.

What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand (and why)? A leopard because I am a unique individual with a rare combination of skills and approach to business.

Who would you most want to thank for your success (and why)? I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the opportunity to come to Wake and for the abilities that He has given me.

Fun fact about yourself: I play the tenor saxophone

Favorite book: The Count of Monte Cristo

Favorite movie: Hitch

Favorite musical performer: Usher

Favorite vacation spot: Colorado

What are your hobbies? I enjoy playing my sax, hiking, grilling, and playing ping pong. 

What made Ryan such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2016?

“When I hear the name Ryan Janvion, my immediate reaction is quiet excellence.

Ryan is known by many as a student who does things right.  It doesn’t seem to matter what those things might be — homework, team assignments, common daily courtesies, defensive stops on the gridiron. Regardless of what they are, large or small, academic or athletic, grade-required or entirely discretionary, he does them right.

Committed. Conscientious. Diligent. Hard working. Respectful.

How much time do you have?  I can fill the page with descriptors just as strong and positive as these.

I’m not the only one who sees these traits in Ryan.  Classmates, friends, teammates, faculty; ask any of them; ask them all.

So that’s the part about excellence.

What about quiet?

If I didn’t already know that Ryan’s a star football player, I would never learn it from him.

If I didn’t already know that Ryan’s a top student, I wouldn’t learn it from his words.

Ryan is one of those treasures in our lives who doesn’t boast, doesn’t brag, doesn’t make noise.

He just goes about his day, excelling in his quiet way.”

Cynthia Tessien
Reznick Group Faculty Fellow 
Professor of Practice
Wake Forest University, School of Business

“Ryan stands out as a young man who demonstrates humility and a true drive to perform at his best. Even when others are telling him that he is performing exceptionally well, he still seeks ways to improve, then sets goals, and pursues them fully. He has high standards for himself, but is creative and thoughtful in ensuring that he meets them. This emerged clearly in his summer internship. Ryan quickly assessed his work environment and his boss’s expectations, identified areas where he already had the tools to excel, and areas where he needed to develop his skills, and set his mind to doing both. He had a very successful summer, leading to great feedback from his supervisor, and newly acquired knowledge that will support his success going forward.”

Amy Wallis, Ph.D.
Professor of Practice 

Director of Global Initiatives
Bern Beatty Teaching Fellow