Benita Ryan joins the staff of The Professional Advantage as administrator, production coordinator and “mentor.”  She brings a varied wealth of experience to her duties from her background in fundraising, project management, arts administration, concert production and tour coordination.  Ms. Ryan served from 1996 – 2002 as Executive Director of The Riverside Symphonia, one of New Jersey’s premier arts organizations based in Lambertville, and she previously served as Board President for seven years.  She has spearheaded fundraising and development projects for organizations such as International Hotels Group, Russell Byers Charter School, James Michener Art Museum, Trinity Episcopal Church Princeton, the “Miles of Mules” public art project in Bucks County, and many others.  Ms. Ryan managed the United States tour of the Wroclaw Philharmonic in 2005, coordinating all logistics and on-site management.  Her Renaissance-woman talents also encompass the management of a 110-acre agricultural farm (Jericho Mountain Orchards, New Hope, PA) whose gardens are often featured on tours and photo shoots, and where she still resides.  An experienced pianist and church organist, Ms. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Wheaton College, a Master of Arts in education from Bucknell University and Music Therapy certification from Montclair State University.