Born and raised in New England, Ryan graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Philosophy. After graduating from college, she worked at MTV in the special effects department. Her acting career began in commercial appearances, while studying acting and improvisation in New York City. Additional acting credits include My Sister's Wedding, Remembering Sex, and Exceed. She also appeared in the Broken Lizard film Super Troopers and Kevin Smith's Big Helium Dog. Her next project will be another Broken Lizard film, Beerfest.