During the summer of 2000, Ryan Treanor moved from eastern Ontario to St. Catharines. There he studied Business Communications at Brock University. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, he continued his studies at Niagara College, attaining his Post Graduate Certificate in Public Relations. While at Niagara College he also played collegiate volleyball for the Niagara Knights.
After traveling Europe for several months after his Post Graduate program, he looked for employment with a company where upward mobility was attainable. After 6 years and three promotions later with Pepsi Co., it was time to move on and spend less time on the road.
In the summer of 2012, under the guidance of current St. Catharines Mayor, Mr. Walter Sendzik, he joined the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce as an Account Manager. This opportunity provided partnerships with the strong entrepreneurial minds of Niagara. He was also given the opportunity to work with many of the largest and most respected businesses in Niagara.
Over the last 7 years, the GNCC has become the second-largest chamber in the province where and he is now the Director of Member Services.
In the winter of 2015, Ryan welcomed his first child, Mila Treanor into the world and just twenty months later, twins Sophia and Christopher were born. And his life has never been the same since. Following the birth of his twins, combined with the increase of caffeine, he developed and built Niagara’s first mobile cold brew and specialty coffee business, Trains Coffee Co. During the Spring, Summer & Fall months, you can find Ryan pouring coffee at some of Niagara’s finest outdoor festivals and events. By day a Director, and by night a barista.
In Ryan’s limited free time, he spends it with his wife and his three children. His interests also include playing beach volleyball, swimming and tennis with friends. He also enjoys strategy meetings with NEXTNiagara where he is the GNCC Staff Liaison. And in the Spring of 2018, he became a director with the Brock University Alumni Association. Every day he wakes up fortunate to call Niagara home, as it is a great place to live, work and grow.
In your view, what’s the most important attribute of a leader?
A vision. One can not lead if you don’t know where you’ re going.
How do you define civic leadership?
Utilizing your skills and taking the necessary action to improve the lives of those in your community.
Why are you personally motivated to explore civic leadership?
To grow and see how my personality and role through the chamber can make Niagara a better place for all its residents.
What, in your view, is the most significant issue/opportunity facing our community? Why?
Niagara not collectively working towards a shared goal.