Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu is the inaugural President and CEO of the National accessArts Centre (NaAC), after serving as CEO of the organization formerly known as the Indefinite Arts Centre since 2017. Under his leadership, the NaAC has grown to become Canada’s largest disability arts organization, almost doubling in size and actively showcasing Canadian artists with disabilities on the global stage. In Fall 2021, JS will be leading the organization into its new home, with a vision to create North America’s first multidisciplinary arts training and presentation venue for artists with disabilities.

Prior to his appointment at the NaAC, JS held several senior-level roles across a variety of sectors including: Director, External and Community Relations at the Banff Centre; Director, Public Affairs at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind; Senior Consultant with the Alberta Medical Association; and Principal Speechwriter to His Excellency Kaoru Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan.

In 2017, JS was named one of five fellows from Canada – one in 50 globally – to participate in the Salzburg Global Seminar’s Forum for Young Cultural Innovators. He was named one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine in 2019.

JS has served on board of numerous organizations, including Creative Calgary, the Health Coalition of Alberta, the Banff Heritage Corporation, the Korean Canadian Association of Ottawa, and the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation.