Ryan is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Urban Studies in the City, Culture, and Community Program at Tulane University. Previously, he was metropolitan opportunity program officer at the Greater New Orleans Foundation where his work revolved around three major areas of focus: access to quality affordable housing; innovation in metropolitan land-use and access to economic opportunity, including transportation. As a funder Ryan managed a portfolio of grant funds from the Ford Foundation and invested more than $5 million in the Greater New Orleans region. Ryan has more than ten years of city and community planning experience ranging from his time as a coordinator for economic development for a nonprofit to his position as planner with the City of Houston. Before coming to New Orleans Ryan was a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fellow and an Island Institute Community Development Fellow. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and public policy and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, both from Michigan State University.