Ryan is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Stoney Tribal Administration representing the three Stoney Nakoda Nations: Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley First Nations. Previously, Ryan was a member of Suncor’s Stakeholder & Aboriginal Relations group, where he worked with the Business Units and Functions, to assist them in meeting their “Social Goal” with respect to Aboriginal people in Energy Development. He was also the lead corporate support for Suncor’s Aboriginal Employee’s Network.

Prior to joining Suncor, Ryan was the Chief Executive Officer for Treaty 7 Management Corporation which represented the seven Southern Alberta Nations that comprise Treaty 7. Following his graduation from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario with a Bachelor of Economics degree, Ryan was hired by a Calgary company working in the oil and gas sector, to manage and grow their western division.

Ryan’s background and interests reflect his passion and ability for negotiating complex multi stakeholder agreements within the context of contemporarybusiness practices and his deep personal respect for traditional First Nations teachings and protocols. Ryan serves on several boards and advisory committees helping organisations to recognize and include aboriginal interests and contributions. He takes great pride in balancing respect with well-established business practices.

Some of these (both current and formerly) include: Energy Futures Lab, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta
& NWT, Alberta Strategic Tourism Council, Institute on Governance, and the Banff Centre –
Indigenous Program Council. In 2009, he was honoured with the Blackfoot name “Niinistakaa” by Chief Reg Crowshoe, Piikani Nation. Ninistakaa means “the one the Chiefs depend on/Chiefs’ Warrior”. In 2011, he was further honoured with a Headdress for his service to the Treaty 7 Nations