Some Friendly Humans from San Diego, CA!

Founder, Creative Director

Ryan founded Friendly Futures out of a belief that life is better when you play with friends. His career spanning design, real estate, and community building has been spent studying how people form and sustain friendships - from the spaces we design to the social norms that shape connection. That path taught him something most people miss: play isn't just for kids, and when adults stop playing together, entire communities lose their most natural tool for building friendship and social wellness. Ryan helps developers, municipalities, and community builders bring it back - through strategic tweaks to spaces, programming, and social norms that create more opportunities for intergenerational play and friendship. Ryan holds a B.A. from Tufts University and a Master of Architecture from Woodbury University. Most importantly, he enjoys beating his 75-year-old neighbor in backgammon, his 65-year-old dad in gymnastic competitions, and his 5-year-old nephew in tackle football (he figures he has at least 2-3 more years before he will be forced to update this to flag football).

Creative Partner

Yoshi is a board-certified (and celebrity) pediatrician and Ryan’s childhood neighbor. He brings a clinical eye to Friendly Futures, ensuring our work is inclusive, intergenerational, and rooted in real human wellness. He holds a B.A. from Pomona College, an M.S. in Nutrition from Tufts University, an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Yoshi also serves as President of the Board for Uplift, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through movement, mindfulness, and friendship. His favorite childhood game was capture the flag, and he still loves playing it today.

Creative Partner

Ethan is a filmmaker and entrepreneur with a focus on urban design and Ryan’s childhood best friend. He brings a storytelling perspective to Friendly Futures, helping make our work both memorable and marketable. Ethan also founded and leads Property Showcase Group, a boutique real estate video and marketing company, where he helps developers showcase communities with creativity and impact. He holds a B.A. from NYU, is a lifelong fan of the NY Giants, and enjoys playing basketball on 8-foot hoops so that he can dunk.