2026 Award Recipient

Ivey Business School is proud to announce Ryan Grant Little, MBA ’06, and Principal of RGL Strategic, as the 2026 recipient of the Ivey Alumni Achievement Award (IAAA). A military chaplain and dedicated humanitarian, Little has demonstrated extraordinary integrity and courage throughout the Russia-Ukraine war, making a profound difference in the lives of those most affected by the conflict. 

Little’s commitment to meaningful impact began early. At 18, after selling an e‑commerce company, he donated all proceeds to co‑found the public foundation CanadaHelps at just 19. The platform has since enabled more than $4 billion in charitable donations to over 44,000 Canadian organizations. 

After completing his MBA at Ivey in 2006, Little co‑founded StormFisher Biogas, one of North America’s earliest renewable energy firms. He later moved to Europe, lending his expertise across multiple sectors – including global social finance initiatives at the BMW Foundation in Berlin and business development with Impact Hub Network. That experience ultimately led him to SmileBack, where, as Managing Director, he guided the company through rapid growth and its acquisition by ConnectWise. 

Since 2021, Little has invested in and mentored more than 25 ventures across Europe and Africa as an angel investor and venture partner with firms including Tilia Impact Ventures, Satgana, and Vireo Ventures. In 2023, he launched Another ClimateTech Podcast, amplifying the voices shaping global climate innovation. 

Humanitarian Leadership in Ukraine 

It was in Ukraine, however, that Little’s most profound impact emerged. Based in Kyiv as Managing Director of the Roxolani Trust – his humanitarian foundation – he has personally delivered aid to artillery positions in Kherson, shipped more than $6 million in humanitarian and military aid for wounded‑veteran rehabilitation centres, and supplied defenders with anti‑drone nets and thermal gear through his “Warm Through the Winter” campaign. He coaches special‑forces soldiers on entrepreneurship, advises international visitors, and has even participated in a closed‑door roundtable with President Zelensky, while continuing to live, unpaid, in an active conflict zone. 

Guided by a deep belief in inclusivity, Little responded to the 2022 refugee crisis by supporting marginalized groups facing discrimination at border crossings, including People of Colour and LGBTQ+. He personally transported individuals unable to travel by bus and helped establish dedicated refugee centres. Through co‑founding Invest in Bravery, he has connected more than 220 Ukrainian startups with nearly 100 global investors, championing diverse teams and equitable innovation. 

Reflecting on the award, Little shared: 

“I realize the work I’m doing falls a bit outside the purview of typical MBA stuff,” he said. “But every day in this war, I’ve put lessons from the MBA to work: operations and logistics, making critical decisions under pressure, project planning, and execution. An Ivey degree is a multi‑purpose tool, and I’ve been using it to fulfill the pledge I took upon receiving my degree – namely, to create impact in the environment in which I operate.” 

A proud Ivey graduate with an MBA from Ivey and a BA from Queen’s University, Little has previously received Ivey’s 2015 Emerging Leader in Global Impact Award and EY Entrepreneur of the Year. His career exemplifies how Ivey alumni don’t just lead – they advance humanity’s most urgent challenges. 

The Ivey Alumni Achievement Award recognizes outstanding alumni who have made a significant impact in their industries and communities while embodying the leadership, excellence, and commitment to service that define Ivey graduates. Little's remarkable achievements in business and his dedication to giving back exemplify these values. 

As Ivey celebrates Little’s accomplishments, his story serves as an inspiration to the next generation of business leaders, demonstrating the power of integrity, humility, and a commitment to making a difference. 

About the Ivey Alumni Achievement Award 

The selected Ivey Alumni Achievement Award recipient has contributed significantly to their companies and communities throughout their career, while upholding the highest standards set forth by the Ivey Pledge. Simply put, they represent the best of our alumni community. An inspiring leader whose accomplishments and influence outpace their tenure, this individual truly brings to life Ivey’s mission. They are thought leaders and catalysts for change whose efforts are creating significant business and social impact.