Ryan Reyna

Ryan joined ESG in 2016 to lead efforts to build bridges between K-12 and higher education to promote seamless postsecondary transitions for students, especially those from traditionally underserved populations. He leads work at the district, state and national levels to scale career-aligned fast-track to associate degree programs, expand capacity among regional intermediary organizations, increase the use of high-quality college and career measures, and establish stronger navigational support systems for students.

Prior to joining ESG, Ryan served as Director of the Office of Accountability and Data Management at the Delaware Department of Education. In that role, he led the state’s efforts to develop a new multi-measure accountability system, centralize the data reporting and analysis functions within the Department, develop its ESEA Flexibility Waiver renewal application, and annually report on Pre-K through higher education outcomes.

Prior to his time in Delaware, Ryan served as a Program Director in the Education Division at the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center). At the NGA Center, Ryan led the division’s support of governors’ offices on numerous issues, including college and career ready standards, assessment, accountability, and transitions into postsecondary education and training. He also previously held Senior Policy Analyst and Policy Analyst positions at the NGA Center and worked as a Research Associate at the Data Quality Campaign.

Ryan earned a Masters of Public Affairs degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas and a Bachelor’s degree in American Politics from the University of Virginia.

Why are you in this work?

Education is the ticket to economic opportunity—a postsecondary certificate or degree can literally flip the script on economic mobility for millions of youth and adults. We have a moral and economic imperative to do right by our most vulnerable populations, and that means ensuring that all students have the opportunities and supports to succeed in college, careers, and life.

Why ESG?

We are doers, grounded in the reality of our experiences devising and implementing strategies for student success. And yet, we are never satisfied with the status quo, always learning from and advocating for new ways to support youth and adults on the path to more prosperous futures. While we take our work seriously, we never take ourselves seriously, recognizing that a healthy work environment (and home balance) makes us individually and collectively more successful.