After earning his journalism degree from the University of St. Thomas, Ryan knew he wanted to tell powerful stories. He began in print media, as a stringer for UPI and later as a reporter for a community newspaper in Hermantown, Minn. In 1991, he joined KDLH-TV as an on-air general assignment reporter, but he also took turns as producer and fill-in news anchor. His favorite experience was featuring small communities in the newscast’s “On the Road in the Northland” segment. National news became his focus at Conus Communications, where he wrote broadcast copy and reported live for All News Channel, a 24-hour news program seen across the country.
Stepping out of the newsroom into the realm of public relations, Ryan joined a major agency in Minneapolis and then moved on to pitch healthcare stories for Fairview Health Services. While there, he developed key relationships with local, regional and national reporters; built and maintained the organization’s reputation by pitching stories that reflect its mission and values; addressed crisis situations; leveraged media to communicate critical messages; and advised all levels of staff. Later, at Boston Scientific, Ryan worked closely with diverse marketing teams to develop and execute dynamic campaigns highlighting key product launches, regulatory approvals, and data milestones in support of key business objectives.
After nearly 20 years of working in corporate-based public relations teams, plus another eight years of news and PR agency experience, Ryan launched DavenPR with the goal of providing strategic communications services that reflect both his global view and his deep understanding of public and media relations.
Client work examples
- Manage PR/media relations for a nonprofit health insurance trade association
- Supported four major healthcare systems with media relations and strategic communictions
- Delivered media coverage for cardiovascular and neurostimulation divisions of a major medical device firm
- Served as an external consultant and partner to four Minneapolis PR agencies
- Led PR/media relations for Minnesota’s largest law enforcement union
- Drove successful awareness campaigns for numerous nonprofit organizations
- Provided pro bono PR support for neighborhood associations, local fundraisers and other community events
- Managed all communications for several clients dealing with crises drawing statewide, national and worldwide media interest
- Wrote and produced compelling video content for a variety of clients
Prior work experiences and highlights
- Pitched and coordinated a story about lung transplants in the New York Times.
- Generated coverage in the Star Tribune about dedicated Boston Scientific engineers in Maple Grove, Minn., who are developing therapies to treat peripheral artery disease.
- Pitched and placed news coverage about a Fairview hospital that delivered 19 babies over one weekend — and they were all boys.
- Managed a National Public Radio story about Fairview’s care model innovation.
- Interviewed music legend Johnny Cash as a reporter at KDLH-TV (Duluth, Minn.). No, seriously. Watch this clip!
Greatest Achievements
- Happily married to Tara and a proud father of three amazing kids.
- (A distant 2nd place) Grew total media placements by 54 percent over nine years at Fairview Health Services, recording steady increases annually from 2003 through 2012, with placements in local, regional and national news outlets.
- Interviewed Johnny Cash one-on-one prior to his concert in Hinckley, Minn.–then drove 75 miles back to Duluth to get the story on the 10 p.m. news. (I know I mentioned this up above, but still!)
