Ryan Reyna

Ryan joined ESG in 2016 to lead efforts to promote seamless transitions between K-12 and higher education for students. 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. Before his time in Delaware, Ryan served as a Program Director, Senior Policy Analyst, and Policy Analyst in the Education Division at the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center).

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. Ryan currently serves on the School Board for Alexandria City Public Schools.

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.