Ryan Fester

Ryan is the Local Economic Development Programme Lead at the Economic Development Partnership (EDP). With nine years of experience in NGOs and the donor funding space, he specialises in programme and project management, stakeholder engagement, financial management and risk mitigation.

He holds a master’s degree in city and Regional Planning from the University of Cape Town and is a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow, having completed a Public Management Qualification at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho.

In his role at the EDP, he develops and oversees the LED programme, manages project budgets and reporting, designs tailored partnering solutions, and fosters relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, donors, and civil society organizations. His expertise in stakeholder management enables him to navigate complex partnerships, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure alignment with funder commitments.

Passionate about driving sustainable economic development, Ryan is committed to fostering collaborative solutions that create meaningful impact across sectors.

Ryan can be contacted on +27 (0) 21 832 0200.