Ryan has lived in six different states but has lived in Arizona for the last twenty-two years. She lives with her two teenagers (Her daughter will be attending Arizona State University in the Fall, Forks Up!) and two pups. Ryan studied Sociology at Northern Arizona University at the Phoenix satellite campus.

Some of her past professional experiences include working in the Office of Student Life and Leadership at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) for 16 years and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona (BBBS). At PVCC, Ryan was a Student Life Program and Leadership Specialist, where she coordinated the clubs & organizations, events, activities, and leadership development and served as an advisor and regional coordinator of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. While at BBBS, a non-profit organization, she managed and coordinated high school college-readiness programs that prepared students for their post-secondary journey.

Now at Be A Leader Foundation, Ryan is the Manager of the College Access Programs team (CAT). She is excited to be in this position and to work with students to help them on their leadership and post-secondary journeys.