Our Team

In October of 2023, Skyler became a HubSpot Onboarding Specialist for the Lake One team. Having earned a B.S. in Communications, Skyler relocated from Carrollton, GA, to Denver, CO. Before joining Lake One, he served as a Business Development Manager at Freshworks, where he gained insights into the impactful use of diverse business tools and their role in enhancing sales and marketing operations.

In his free time, Skyler enjoys biking, skiing, reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with his girlfriend and dog.

Zoë is coming to us from Denver, Colorado, though she will always be a Minnesotan at heart. She is an excellent addition to the Lake One team as our AI Content Optimization Strategist.

After graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in environmental studies and a minor in business, Zoë discovered that her true passion was for creative marketing. Social media and content creations are her bread and butter. She is enthusiastic about continuing to develop her skillset in digital marketing and growing with Lake One.

Outside work, you can catch her at yoga, trying the latest aesthetic coffee shop, skiing the Colorado slopes, and occasionally roaming around Europe.

Chance joined Lake One in January 2021 as an intern and came on as a full-time employee in March of 2022. Chance attended Truman State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. After graduation, Chance had a growing interest in digital marketing. She was initially attracted to SEO, but after further exploration, grew to love paid media and analytics. Now, Chance is using her sharp attention to detail in Lake One’s insights and reporting. 

Outside of work you can find Chance walking her dog, Boomer, killing it at the local recreation soccer league, or embarking on her latest abroad exploration.

Ryan Ruud is the Founder and CEO of Lake One, a tech consultancy dedicated to steering businesses through the complexities of growth in the digital age. Ryan’s career began in the dynamic world of radio broadcasting. His noteworthy coverage of the Red River Valley flooding earned him recognition from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Transitioning into digital, Ryan led several newsrooms through significant digital transformations before diving into the SaaS sector. He built formidable digital marketing teams at high-growth companies like W3i and Four51, both of which were acquired. His strategic acumen was further recognized when he was named a Notable LGBTQ Business Executive by Twin Cities Business Magazine.

The inception of Lake One was inspired during a reflective trip to (OG) Lake One in the boundary waters, where Ryan saw the parallels between navigating the wild and guiding companies through today’s Digital wilderness. As CEO, Ryan is deeply involved in shaping client strategies, driving sales, spearheading product development, and forging impactful partnerships.

Under his leadership, the company has seen remarkable achievements, including being named a B2B Power Partner by Inc. Magazine in 2023 and earning HubSpot Diamond Status in 2021. Ryan’s industry expertise spans technology, healthcare, and financial services, making him a trusted partner to mid-market and enterprise clients seeking sustainable growth.

Outside the office, Ryan is committed to giving back to the community, serving as a mentor to startups with StartOUT and Gener8tor, and supporting children with cancer as a past board member of the Pinky Swear Foundation. His personal life is filled with adventures in Minnesota’s outdoors, rewilding his yard, and spending quality time with his two large canines, Marge and Cork. Ryan lives by the mantra, “progress over perfection,” a philosophy that guides both his personal endeavors and his leadership at Lake One.

Contributor

You’ll find Ryan’s contributions on business, marketing, and life in a variety of Publications including CMS Wire, Business 2 Community, Social Media Examiner and more. 

Kyle Meehan is the Design Director at Lake One, where he harnesses his extensive background in business strategy and design thinking to foster innovative solutions and drive company growth. A graduate of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, Kyle’s unique career journey from investment banking to design illustrates his multifaceted expertise and dynamic approach to business and creativity.

Kyle began his professional journey at Pocket Hercules as a Digital Strategist, quickly proving his ability to blend strategic vision with practical implementation. He then served as the Managing Director at PH Digital Labs, where he spearheaded digital innovation and team leadership from 2012 to 2016. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Andless in 2016, a company devoted to simplifying design in complex environments, reflecting his belief that “simple always wins.” Before joining Lake One, Kyle enriched his design leadership as the VP of Design at Schedulicity.

His design philosophy—rooted in Fearless Exploration, Endless Curiosity, and a straightforward, uncomplicated approach—guides his work across various industries including SaaS, e-commerce, health and wellness, education, professional services, FinTech, and technology sectors.

Outside of his professional life, Kyle is a member of the Leadership Design Forum, where he contributes to shaping future design standards and practices. His commitment to community and industry advancement is evident through his active participation in various volunteer activities and board memberships.

In his free time, Kyle indulges in his passions outside of work, continuously fueling his creativity and maintaining his drive for innovation. Whether he's exploring new ideas, engaging in creative endeavors, or contributing to his community, Kyle lives by the mantra that inspires both his personal and professional life: progress through simplicity and creativity.

Ross Rafferty is the Chief Technology Officer at Lake One, where his passion for technology and data-driven solutions shapes the future of how businesses leverage information. A graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor's in Management Information Systems, Ross combines deep technical expertise with strategic foresight.

Ross has spent his career focusing on developing robust data and technology capabilities, holding significant positions such as VP of Data Analytics & Reporting at Icario (formerly NovuHealth), where he led initiatives to democratize data and empower businesses with actionable insights. As Director of Infrastructure at Four51, and later at WAND Corporation as the Manager of DevOps Ross designed and implemented cloud-based infrastructures that are not only scalable but also pivotal in enhancing business operations across various sectors.

At Lake One, Ross was drawn by the team's diversity and the impactful projects the company undertakes. His role involves leading the data and technology vision of the company, focusing on delivering tailor-made solutions that drive value for clients in the healthcare and B2B sectors. His work emphasizes streamlining operations for healthcare, manufacturing and financial services.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Ross is an avid fan of nature and the outdoors, recharging and finding peace while fishing, hiking, or camping. His love for reading complements his time outdoors, and you’ll often find him with a good book in one hand and a great cup of coffee in the other.  Ross also enjoys golf and mountain biking. 

Ross strongly believes in the philosophy that technology should serve to simplify complexities, enabling clearer decisions and more effective outcomes in both business and our personal lives.

Casey Goodrich is a HubSpot Onboarding Specialist with a passion for helping businesses seamlessly integrate tools and strategies that drive growth. A graduate of Montana State University with a background in Commercial Real Estate technology, Casey brings both technical expertise and a friendly, collaborative approach to every project, ensuring clients feel confident and supported throughout the onboarding process.

Outside of work, Casey enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, biking, skiing, and camping. This love for adventure mirrors his approach to work—embracing challenges with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a focus on continuous growth.