R. Ryan Smith, commonly known as Ryan Smith, is an American billionaire entrepreneur and sports executive. Born on September 13, 1979, he co-founded Qualtrics in 2002 while attending Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, alongside his father, Scott M. Smith, a marketing professor, and his brothers. Initially developed as a tool for academic survey research, Qualtrics evolved into a comprehensive experience management platform under Smith's leadership as CEO. The company achieved unicorn status in 2012, went public on the Nasdaq in 2018, and was acquired by SAP in 2020 for $8 billion, catapulting Smith into billionaire status with a net worth estimated at over $1 billion. Smith's early career was shaped by his family's entrepreneurial background, and he briefly worked in sales before focusing on Qualtrics full-time. After stepping down as CEO of Qualtrics in 2020 to become executive chairman, Smith shifted his focus to sports ownership and community investment. In 2022, he and his wife Ashley acquired Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer) and the Utah Royals FC (National Women's Soccer League) from the Miller family for approximately $500 million, becoming the primary owners. This purchase marked a significant expansion of his influence in Utah's sports landscape. Smith maintains financial ties with investors like David J. Blitzer, who co-owns stakes in various sports franchises. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Smith is actively involved in philanthropy through the Smith Family Foundation, supporting education, entrepreneurship, and youth programs in Utah. He resides in the Salt Lake City area with his wife and their four children, embodying a blend of business innovation and regional civic leadership.