D. L. Pos Ryant is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization (APOYO), a nonprofit that focuses on reducing mental health stigma and increasing life skills through wellness. In this leadership role, Pos is charged with strategy, positive youth development and building community while creating innovative ways to address mental health stigma and the intersectionality of youth violence. One way he does this is through Tai Chi, infusing the practice and APOYO’s philosophy into a fully integrated lifestyle movement that combines wellness, health and fitness with a common sense of social responsibility for APOYO’s students. He has an extensive background in working with youth in sports and social emotional learning from coaching basketball to teaching wellness and positive mental attitude strategies. Pos is proud to work in the arena of mental health stigma awareness and reduction working with youth locally, nationally, and abroad.

Prior to founding APOYO, Pos worked in mutual funds and real estate. Pos has deep business experience with a dual MBA in Finance/Accounting and Strategic Management from Regis University.

Originally from South Carolina, Pos has lived in six different states and worked with individuals from countries all over the world which has given him a profound and transformative cross-cultural understanding.

He is goal-oriented and a high achiever with strong leadership capabilities. Pos is extremely passionate about strategy, wellness, positive youth development, and building community.