Ryan Farias

About Ryan Farias

As far back as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about two things… travel and success. I’ve been fortunate enough to fill my life with both.My parents took me all around the United States, and gave me the freedom to start exploring the rest of the globe at 16. I was hooked. Just 4 years later, I circumnavigated it in 4 months. After pursuing an undergraduate degree in International Relations, I realized my passion didn’t lay in governing or saving the world, but exploring it. So I went on to complete a Masters in Tourism and Travel Management and have sought opportunities to live the cultural and natural marvels of the world, and facilitate others in doing the same.Success for me means not just passing, but excelling and leading in whatever I do. I’ve always been an achiever - top of my class, first chair musician, largest portfolio of revenue. From professional projects to Friday night board games with friends, I thrive on analyzing a situation, understanding all the factors at play, and crafting a plan to win. I don’t just sign accounts or manage them… I own them and make them my successes. As a result of my dedication to success, over the past 6 years, I’ve helped grow Plusgrade’s revenue by 6X through leading our portfolio diversification strategy and transforming low-performing ancillary revenue programs to industry-leading ones. Some highlights- Led initial company roll out of an economy-class seat-blocking ancillary feature with Air Berlin and Etihad Airways, which would eventually become our Dynamic Seat Blocker product today- Led the commercial entrance into the Cruise industry with Norwegian Cruise Line in 2016; we now power 45% of the global cruise market- Led the commercial entrance into the Rail industry with Amtrak, achieving their ROI within 4 months of launch and 4X our budgeted revenue expectation in the first year. And I’ve gotten to travel while doing it all, completing my second trip around the world in July 2018… though this time it only took me 8 days! If your business wants to shake up its ancillary revenue strategy and start giving guests the travel experiences they (and I) crave, reach out to me and let’s work together.

Experience

1. Head of Commercial Integration (Plusgrade Oaky)

   Plusgrade

   Oct 2025 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Leading the commercial integration of Plusgrade + Oaky to a unified, best in market hospitality upsell platform

Education

• New York University

  MS, Tourism and Travel Management

  2007 — 2009

• Cornell University

  Certificate in Advanced Hospitality Revenue Management

  2015 — 2015