Melissa Ryan
Building movements. Fighting extremism. Writing it down.
Melissa Ryan
Building movements. Fighting extremism. Writing it down.
Hi, I'm Melissa Ryan. I help people, policymakers, and institutions combat online toxicity and far-right extremism. (About me.)
I'm the CEO and founding partner of Inviolable, helping organizations build resilience against targeted attacks of hate, harassment, and harm. I also write Ctrl Alt-Right Delete, a weekly newsletter that reaches more than 18,000 readers.
Previously a digital strategist for Democratic campaigns and progressive causes — raising money, mobilizing activists, and shaping online narratives.
Want to hire me, or bring me in to consult, train, or speak? Let's talk.
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May 28, 2026
Speaking at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government
I was honored to speak at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government as part of their ongoing series on democracy,…
Read more →May 28, 2026
Ctrl Alt-Right Delete is moving to Action Network
After careful consideration, I’m moving Ctrl Alt-Right Delete from Substack to Action Network. This decision comes down to values —…
Read more →April 21, 2026
The Infrastructure of Influence: How Far-Right Networks Survive Platform Bans
Read issue →I speak at conferences, universities, progressive groups, and select corporate settings. I'm also available for trainings. Want to book me? Get in touch.
Keynote Panel with Congresswomen: Delia Ramirez, Summer Lee, and Ana Lilia Mejia
Netroots Nation, Philadelphia, June 2026
BOMA Media Fellow: Opportunity Collaboration
Faro, Portugal, November 2025
Why Democracy Requires Public Education
SXSW EDU, Austin Texas, March 7, 2023
Threats to Social Movements: the Rise of Digital Authoritarianism and Oligopolies
RightsCon, July 29, 2020
The Future of US Politics: Looking Ahead to 2020
University of Iowa, Public Policy Center, March 27, 2019
Crisis Scenario: You’re the target of disinformation. Now what?
MisInfoCon London, October 24, 2018
Culture and its Discontents: A Public Conversation
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, NY, April 6-7
Keynote Panel, American Constitution Society National Lawyer Convening
Milwaukee Wisconsin, October 21, 2017
“As more and more of our wealth gets concentrated, grassroots fundraising is one of the last barriers we have to create funding systems that are truly accountable to people,” says Ryan. “Whether we’re talking about these right-wing crowdfunding campaigns, whether we’re talking about scam PACs, it’s just depressing, because all it’s going to do is reduce trust for one of the few sources of revenue that doesn’t come from billionaires.”The American Prospect
Melissa Ryan serves as CEO and founding partner of Inviolable, helping organizations build resilience against targeted attacks of hate, harassment, and harm.
Melissa is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts on right-wing online extremism. She became fascinated with right-wing extremism and disinformation in 2016 when she saw fringe extremist networks platforming mainstream candidates and then elevated by political media.
She was among the first to recognize the rise of the far-right influencer ecosystem and regularly drives the conversation among policymakers, journalists, and citizens.
Melissa was selected to join the 2023 inaugural cohort of the Obama Foundation USA Leaders program and serves as Board Chair at Netroots Nation.
Ryan's career has spanned nearly two decades working on local and state politics. She raised more than $5 million online for Senator Russ Feingold's 2010 campaign and played a key role in mobilizing protesters during the #WIunion protests of 2011.
See Short Bio
