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#120: Entrepreneurship and Affordable Housing ft. Ryan Benz
In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Ryan Benz, Founder and CEO of Redev CNY, a Syracuse-based real estate development firm transforming affordable homeownership across Central New York.
A Syracuse University Whitman School of Management graduate, Ryan has built a career around creating real pathways to ownership for moderate-income households and ensuring long-term residents share in their neighborhoods' economic growth.
As Chair of the Syracuse Housing Authority and Vice Chair of the United Way of Central New York, Ryan's impact extends far beyond development. His team made history as the first in New York State to utilize HCR's Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Program—innovation that earned him the 2026 Crystal Ball Award. When he's not reshaping housing policy, you might find him at Oh My Darling or The Fitz, the downtown Syracuse restaurants he owns with his wife Leigh Ann.
💬 Topics we cover:
- Redefining affordable homeownership and equitable development
- Leading the Syracuse Housing Authority and addressing CNY's poverty crisis
- Being first in NYS to use the Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Program
- The creative, entrepreneurial spirit behind community revitalization
- Balancing development, board service, and restaurant ownership
- Why now is the time to take the entrepreneurial leap
Learn more about Redev CNY
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn
Learn more about our sponsors:
Cannon Advisory Group
Empower FCU
Apply to be a guest on Cultivate CNY
Ready to gain access to exclusive discounts on some of our favorite women-owned products and services in Central New York? Introducing the 2025-2026 CNYWN Member's Card! SHOP & SAVE AT 30+ women-owned businesses ACROSS CENTRAL NEW YORK
Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate CNY on her website, LinkedIn & Instagram
Follow Cultivate CNY on Instagram
Support this podcast here
Follow the CNY Women's Network on Instagram
Follow the CNY Women's Network on TikTok: / cnywomensnetwork
This episode is brought to you by the CNY Women’s Network. CNY Women’s Network is a Syracuse-based media company that prioritizes community and collaboration between woman-owned businesses. We connect, promote, and celebrate businesses in Central New York.
Email [email protected] to learn more about how CNY Women's Network can amplify your brand.
Join The Collective by CNY Women’s Network, a membership community for growth-minded women.Use the code: CULTIVATE10 for 10% off your first month or your first year with The Collective.
This episode is brought to you by Diam Media Group
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By CNY Women's Network
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In this episode of Cultivate CNY, host Alex Canavan sits down with Ryan Benz, Founder and CEO of Redev CNY, a Syracuse-based real estate development firm transforming affordable homeownership across Central New York.
A Syracuse University Whitman School of Management graduate, Ryan has built a career around creating real pathways to ownership for moderate-income households and ensuring long-term residents share in their neighborhoods' economic growth.
As Chair of the Syracuse Housing Authority and Vice Chair of the United Way of Central New York, Ryan's impact extends far beyond development. His team made history as the first in New York State to utilize HCR's Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Program—innovation that earned him the 2026 Crystal Ball Award. When he's not reshaping housing policy, you might find him at Oh My Darling or The Fitz, the downtown Syracuse restaurants he owns with his wife Leigh Ann.
💬 Topics we cover:
- Redefining affordable homeownership and equitable development
- Leading the Syracuse Housing Authority and addressing CNY's poverty crisis
- Being first in NYS to use the Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Program
- The creative, entrepreneurial spirit behind community revitalization
- Balancing development, board service, and restaurant ownership
- Why now is the time to take the entrepreneurial leap
Learn more about Redev CNY
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn
Learn more about our sponsors:
Cannon Advisory Group
Empower FCU
Apply to be a guest on Cultivate CNY
Ready to gain access to exclusive discounts on some of our favorite women-owned products and services in Central New York? Introducing the 2025-2026 CNYWN Member's Card! SHOP & SAVE AT 30+ women-owned businesses ACROSS CENTRAL NEW YORK
Connect with Alex Canavan, the host of Cultivate CNY on her website, LinkedIn & Instagram
Follow Cultivate CNY on Instagram
Support this podcast here
Follow the CNY Women's Network on Instagram
Follow the CNY Women's Network on TikTok: / cnywomensnetwork
This episode is brought to you by the CNY Women’s Network. CNY Women’s Network is a Syracuse-based media company that prioritizes community and collaboration between woman-owned businesses. We connect, promote, and celebrate businesses in Central New York.
Email [email protected] to learn more about how CNY Women's Network can amplify your brand.
Join The Collective by CNY Women’s Network, a membership community for growth-minded women.Use the code: CULTIVATE10 for 10% off your first month or your first year with The Collective.
This episode is brought to you by Diam Media Group