Ryan was born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. He is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick.

Ryan began his career with the Government of New Brunswick in 2002 and has held numerous positions in various departments before becoming the Deputy Minister of Education, including serving as Deputy Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform, and Deputy Minister of Environment.

Ryan is also Chair of Atlantic Education International (AEI), New Brunswick’s Crown agency responsible for exporting the provincial education curriculum internationally.