Upon graduating from the Sauder School of Business in 2003, Ryan travelled through Asia and Australia. He ended up in New Zealand where he was offered a job at Massey University as a Graduate Research Assistant, a position which included a scholarship to complete his Masters’ degree in Finance. Finishing his degree in 2006, he accepted a position as a corporate financial analyst at a boutique investment bank. The firm specialized in small cap corporate advisory work and provided him with the opportunity to work on a number of merger and acquisition transactions, equity listings and valuations.

In 2007, Ryan and his wife Charlotte, who earned her veterinary degree in New Zealand, moved back to Canada. Originally from south eastern British Columbia, Ryan had heard that Calgary was “booming”, so they made the decision to pack up and move home.  So far, he’s enjoyed the transition but comments that the winters in Calgary are an adjustment after living “down under”.

Ryan is currently employed as an Associate Director at ATB Financial, a company that offers a number of debt products for public and private non-oil and gas companies. With his team, he analyzes these companies and assists with their financing requirements.

In his spare time, Ryan enjoys sports including skiing and marathon running. He also plays hockey and softball.

Ryan’s advice for new graduates: “Continue to work on your interpersonal and networking skills. The world is a lot smaller than you think and the contacts you make early in your career will often be who you do business with for the rest of your life.”