The Level Field Foundation - Our Roster

Ryan Farnan

Ryan Farnan is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Level Field Foundation.  A native of East Greenbush, New York, Ryan has worked with many charitable organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the East Greenbush Miracle League.  In 2008, he wanted to take his efforts to a new level, spawning the creation of The Level Field Foundation.   

Having worked for many years with disabled children’s athletics at the Miracle League, Ryan saw first-hand the value of sports and camaraderie to these often underestimated kids.  Four years as Men’s Basketball Manager at Boston College introduced him to many players and coaches who grew-up with few privileges, but had built opportunities and self-esteem around their love of basketball.  The blend of these experiences became the onus for the foundation’s mission.

Ryan graduated magna cum laude from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management Honors Program in 2006.  Along with his aforementioned participation on the basketball team, Ryan was a producer, actor, and director of marketing for The BC, an internet comedy series that promoted the university and received extensive media coverage.

Ryan is currently a Product Specialist at Forrester Research, a global technology research and consulting firm, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Ryan can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jean-Paul Sanday

 Jean-Paul is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Level Field Foundation.  Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jean-Paul has been part of several community-building efforts including Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and Citizen Schools.

Growing up playing baseball alongside underprivileged kids in a local league in Argentina for ten years, Jean-Paul witnessed first-hand the positive impact of sports around the world.  Sports served as an outlet to the social and economic issues that surrounded them on a daily basis, giving them renewed confidence and motivation to better themselves.  They introduced discipline, integrity and the concept of a “team” into their lives.  The Level Field Foundation was formed to give youths across the country the opportunity to experience these lessons and values.

Jean-Paul graduated summa cum laude from the Carroll School of Management Honors Program at Boston College in 2006.  He spent three years as an Associate at Summit Partners, a venture capital and private equity firm in Boston.  He is now enrolled in his first year at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in Palo Alto, CA.

 Jean-Paul can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fr. Richard McGowan, S.J.

Father McGowan is a Director of The Level Field Foundation.  A long-time member of Boston College's Jesuit community, he has done extensive service across the globe, including numerous teaching visits to El Salvador.  He is also one of the most prominent professors at BC, where he teaches Statistics, Forecasting, and Ethics, and is involved in many initiatives.  Father McGowan recently celebrated his 25th year as a priest, and the foundation is the latest way in which he is living the Jesuit ideal of being a "man for others."  He brings a wealth of business knowledge and service experience to the foundation, and will serve as a trusted advisor.

Father McGowan can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .