The Patterson Foundation has hired Brian Ries as a consultant for its Community Impact initiative. In his new role, he will work with Foundation staff members and consultants to explore the role of agriculture in our region and opportunities to strengthen its impact on future generations. Brian brings over 20 years of experience in media leadership to The Patterson Foundation, with a strategic focus on cultivating public awareness and understanding of critical community issues. As a key member of the executive team at the Herald-Tribune, he successfully expanded coverage of topics vital to our region by forging partnerships with community groups and philanthropic organizations, including The Patterson Foundation. The Patterson Foundation’s Community Impact initiative aims to increase mission impact by utilizing a portion of the organization’s investment portfolio in impact investing — investments designed to create a positive impact on our world.