Ranny Riley ’65, the psychologist best known for her work helping professional women advance their careers into the highest echelons of corporate America, died on August 14 in her home in Belvedere, Calif. She was 68. 

Born Frances O’Brien Riley in 1943, in Detroit, Mich., Ranny grew up on the San Francisco Peninsula. She joined the first women’s class at the University of Santa Clara. After graduating, Ranny went on to receive her Master’s degree in Psychology from Boston College.

She returned home and began to help some of the Bay Area’s most iconic companies, including Apple and George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic, develop their leadership teams. She took her PhD from Fielding. 
These events coincided with a transition in her professional focus from corporate leadership in general to a more specific focus on issues facing women, both in and beyond their corporate lives. She turned to coaching professional women, from CEOs to those just beginning their careers. As she put it, Ranny helped the new professional woman see herself differently and help her establish her own success in some of America’s best companies. 

Ranny is survived by her husband Lou Lenzen of Belvedere, by her sister Anne Riley of Burlingame and by her five brothers, Reverend Miles Riley of Half Moon Bay, Dr William Riley of Redwood City, Patrick Riley of San Francisco, Ambassador Thomas Riley of Palo Alto and James Riley of Pasadena and by her eight nieces and nephews, Francie Devlin, Lisa Lenzo, Max Riley, Joanna Weidenmiller, Conor Riley, Ryan Riley, Julia Riley, and Aili Nahas.