Melanie Ryan

Melanie Ryan is Youth Cymru’s Joint Chief Executive Officer/Development Manager. This national youth work organisation has been delivering and supporting youth work in Wales for over 85 years. Melanie has worked with Youth Cymru for the past 13 years in various capacities, including as a Development Manager, and has been in her current role for five years. As the CEO, Melanie works with a team of experts to plan, support and facilitate projects, workshops, and activities for young people, youth workers, and youth organisations.

As CEO, Melanie works strategically to ensure that Youth Cymru’s strategy provides innovative youth work opportunities. She collaborates with young people, members, partners, and stakeholders to achieve the charity’s future goals to benefit young people across Wales. 

Melanie has been in the youth work and educational sector for 30 years, working in various environments, including statutory and voluntary youth work, training, information shops, and community-focused schools. Her goal has always been to provide opportunities for young people to thrive and feel empowered to achieve their goals and dreams.

Melanie has achieved her postgraduate diploma in youth work and has benefited from attending the Youth Work Leadership and Management Programme. She recently became an Associate of The National Academy for Educational Leadership (Leadership Academy). She looks forward to discovering more opportunities by working collaboratively with youth work colleagues and educational leaders to develop leadership, learning, and further youth work development opportunities in Wales.

In her personal life, Melanie enjoys spending time with friends and family. She loves to travel in her campervan and has discovered her passion for paddle boarding on rivers, lakes, and the sea in beautiful Oxwich Bay.