About
Ryan is responsible for business development and general management for The Ruskin Group, a 126-year- old family packaging company founded by his great grandfather. The Ruskin Group is recognized as a world leader in sustainability and e-commerce packaging, and consists of three business units that supply a wide range of products, specializing in paperboard folding cartons, corrugated packaging, and stock shipping supplies. Previously, Ryan was a management consultant with A.T. Kearney, where his practice focused on supply chain and manufacturing strategies with many Fortune 100 companies. He was also an early employee and executive with The Princeton Review where he helped develop their curriculum for most of their graduate school programs and launch many new franchises. At the beginning of 2015, Ryan assumed the role of non-executive chairman of MyEco, a sustainability education business he helped found that uses technology and innovative products to help consumers break disposable habits through education, positive reinforcement, social engagement and financial incentives; and by creating a collaborative relationship between consumers, businesses and retailers to benefit the environment.
Ryan is the immediate past president of the Princeton Club of Chicago, where he received the Arnold M. Berlin Award for Service to Princeton in 2015, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Council of Princeton University and on the Committee to Nominate Alumni Trustees. He is also the chairman of President’s Leadership Council and a trustee of the Field Museum of Natural History. Ryan is an active member of the boards of: Chicago Botanic Garden, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Humanities Festival, Heartland Alliance, and Shady Side Academy Board of Visitors. He is also the Chicago regional co- chair for the Order of Saint John. Previous leadership roles include: board chair of Vital Bridges (2010 Food for Life Award recipient), founding board member of the Chicago Symphony Associates, founding member of the Chicago 2016 Alliance, advisory board member of the Coro Center for Civic Leadership, Economic Club of Chicago membership co-chair.
Ryan earned a B.A. in History and American Studies from Princeton University, an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and an M.E.M. from its McCormick School of Engineering. He was chosen by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs as a member of the 2010-2012 Emerging Leaders Program. He is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Chief Executives Organization. He is also a member of the 2013 Class of Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute. Ryan was a member of the speechwriting team for the 1988 Republican National Convention and continues to be active in local and national politics, most recently serving as a Transition Co-Chair for Illinois Governor-elect Bruce Rauner. In 2015, Ryan was appointed and confirmed as a member of the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission.
Videos (1)
Innovation within a Family Business
