Erin Ryan

About Erin Ryan

The Sherry Black Foundation (SBF) was founded in 2017 after the murder of Heidi Miller's mother, Sherry Black, revealed the profound challenges families face while waiting for justice. Through firsthand experience, the Foundation recognized that many investigators are committed to solving violent crimes but often lack access to the training, forensic resources, and specialized support needed to move complex cases forward.

Today, SBF partners with law enforcement agencies across the country to remove investigative barriers by providing advanced training, case consultation, forensic testing support, and collaborative resources. With more than 300,000 unsolved homicides, missing persons, and unidentified human remains cases nationwide, the Foundation is committed to ensuring every case has the opportunity to move from unsolved to solved—because every family deserves answers.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Erin Ryan, who has served with the Foundation since its inception, SBF has expanded its national partnerships, advanced investigator training, and championed policies that strengthen violent crime investigations. Ryan's career in prevention, victim advocacy, and criminal justice reform—including helping pass Utah's Sherry Black Law—reflects her commitment to supporting investigators, empowering communities, and ensuring families are not left waiting for answers.

At the Sherry Black Foundation, we believe training inspires action, action leads to justice, and every case matters.

We exist to work alongside law enforcement—removing barriers, advancing investigations, and bringing hope to families who have waited far too long for answers.