Hannah Ryu
Co- Founder | Business Development & Operations

Hannah heard her entrepreneurial calling while in between jobs, when she realized that she had to claim her own territory to build a purposeful career.

Leading with a human-centered yet deeply analytical approach, Hannah’s strategic know-how shapes Oak Theory’s mission to transform diverse perspectives into robust digital designs. Growing Oak Theory as one of the 0.1% of agencies founded by women of color posed its own challenges, but in just 3 years Hannah, alongside Veronica, has built a team that delivers exceptional, inclusive, and human-centered design.

“Our cultural backgrounds and unique perspectives as a collective of diverse creatives help our clients show up in a more authentic, impactful, and purposeful way. It’s been a joy to enable that transformation for them.”

Hannah’s career trajectory has been anything but ordinary. Starting out in a nonprofit, she then took on the role of a magazine assistant (think “Devil Wears Prada”), and ultimately ascended to a product manager position in a tech company. Her journey has given her perspective and clarity, making her uniquely equipped her to shape a workspace that prioritizes psychological safety, and promotes a culture that combines open-ended curiosity with solution-driven thinking.

Beyond her professional achievements, Hannah’s entrepreneurial spirit extends to co-creating the Southpaw Stitches clothing brand. With a passion for Muay Thai and a thirst for adventure, she embodies a straightforward, New York-style approach. Currently, she’s mastering the art of juggling as a new mom while nurturing the growth of Oak Theory.

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Co-Founder | Creative Technology & Operations