About the Director

Ryan Smith is an entrepreneur and community leader whose career has been built on one simple principle — service first. As the founder of Pay It Forward, Ryan helps non-profits and small businesses thrive by providing credit-card processing solutions that give back a portion of every transaction to charitable causes. His business model empowers organizations to grow sustainably while strengthening the communities they serve.

A proud graduate of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, Ryan began his career working in both corporate and local business environments before moving into sales and business development for the sporting goods and outdoors industry. There, he honed his strengths in relationship building, client service, and results-driven growth, developing a reputation for integrity, reliability, and a deep commitment to customer success.

Through Pay It Forward, Ryan has turned his passion for service into tangible impact — helping nonprofits, churches, and community organizations fund their missions through everyday business transactions. His dedication to creating meaningful partnerships between commerce and compassion reflects his belief that doing good and doing business can, and should, go hand in hand.

As a member of the Wellness-4-Warriors Board of Directors, Ryan brings his entrepreneurial spirit and community-driven vision to help expand the organization’s reach and sustainability. His experience in business development and nonprofit partnership building plays a vital role in advancing W4W’s mission to bridge the gap in veteran healthcare — ensuring that every veteran and family receives the care, respect, and opportunities they’ve earned through their service.