the founders story
In 2006, Internet entrepreneurs Ryan & Kristin FitzGerald developed a social networking site for students with dyslexia to blog and network comfortably online. Members felt it unique and refreshing to have a place to come where their disability was viewed as normal and they could express themselves honestly and without judgment.
Since then, Ryan & Kristin have worked to develop safe, convenient, easy-to-navigate tribes focused on bringing together communities of individuals suffering from various mental health illnesses, addictions and diseases.
With the belief that communicating, sharing, and connecting with others in your community will have a positive affect on your healing and your life; WebTribes communities fosters an air of acceptance not found on other social networking sites. Each tribe represent a place where people suffering with similar challenges can connect in a non-threatening way.
Today, WebTribes Inc. has become the largest network of support community websites designed to bring people in need of support together from around the world. Find your tribe »
the team
Ryan FitzGerald | Co-Founder
Working in the Internet space for over a decade, Ryan specializes in Internet Marketing and Tech Development. He has helped several companies grow into Internet success stories including web-hosting giant, Interland, and streaming media company, VitalStream. Using Internet technology in a non-traditional and socially conscience way has always been a passion for Ryan. Shortly before starting WebTribes Inc. he pioneered an Internet streaming service that allowed students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities to listen to their homework online. At WebTribes Ryan is able to combine his entreprenurial spirit with Internet innovations to create a truly helpful resource for those in need. Ryan is a graduate of Lafayette College, PA.
Kristin FitzGerald | Co-Founder
A specialist in consumer behavior, Kristin is particularly effective in providing services that truly make a difference in peoples lives. While at UCLA, Kristin helped to define and develop ways the Internet could be used to aid academic learning and community. She helped to create a number of UCLA’s first online curricula. Since her degree in Communications from UCLA, Kristin has applied her skills to business planning and market research for several fortune 500 companies including Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Microsoft. Since then she has focused her career on emerging technologies in the wireless industry providing product strategy and campaign planning for Kyocera Wireless, Samsung and Amp’d Mobile. Now at WebTribes, Kristin is able to combine her passion for technology with true consumer benefits and improved quality of life.
Heather Frahm | Advisory Board
Heather is currently President & COO of Catalyst online - a WPP Company. As co-founder of Catalyst online, Heather was an early proponent of Internet marketing; recognizing the need for experts who understood how to harness the Internet's potential. Today, Catalyst provides market leaders such as P&G, Novartis and Microsoft with integrated search engine marketing services. Prior, Heather served as an Assistant VP in the Financial Institutions Group at BankBoston and as a contributing member of their Internet Team. Heather received her B.A. in Economics from Hartwick College and her M.B.A. at the Boston College Carroll School of Management. Heather is an active speaker at Search Engine Strategies, CBI emarketing and IRR emarketing conferences. She is also a board member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), WebTribes Inc., BioDigital and Westminster School.
Rachel Tyree | Advisory Board
Rachel is the Director of tobacco cessation initiatives at the LA County Department of Public Health. She also oversees the peer-to-peer support and training initiatives at the CDC; working with 50 nationwide communities to implement tobacco cessation programs and smoke-free policies at social service agencies including HIV treatment, substance abuse, and mental health treatment centers. Previously, Rachel served as the public information officer for the LA Department of Public Health. She spent 10 years working in public affairs and media relations with Golin/Harris International, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group. Rachel received her masters in public health from Emory University and her degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Policy Studies from UCLA.
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