Ideas with Impact
UNB Faculty of Management

Colin Ryan, Head and Managing Director of Technology and Innovation at CIBC Capital Markets, leads CIBC’s global investment banking activities within the technology and innovation sectors. His impressive career is rooted in his early days at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), where he earned his BBA degree in 2002. During his time at UNB, Colin completed the Student Investment Fund course, gaining hands-on investment experience and preparing for the CFA Level One exam.

With over 20 years of experience in investment banking and capital markets advisory in Canada, including approximately 12 years at CIBC, Ryan has made significant contributions to the industry. He has advised on numerous high-profile IPOs, M&A mandates, and debt and equity financings for clients such as Shopify, Lightspeed, Magnet Forensics, Q4 Inc., VerticalScope, and OMERS Ventures.

Ryan’s rise to a senior leadership role in the highly competitive field of investment banking is a testament to his dedication and drive. His involvement in landmark deals, such as Shopify’s IPO, highlights his impact on driving growth in Canada’s tech sector, which is crucial for maintaining the country’s global competitiveness.

Colin attributes his success in the competitive investment banking industry to his background growing up in Atlantic Canada, where people are friendly and social. He emphasizes that his role as managing director involves more than just numbers and evaluations; it requires strong personal and emotional IQ skills.

"Being able to work well with staff is important, and when it comes to clients, the relationship needs to be more than just transactional. You need to build relationships and trust," Colin explains. He believes that people from Atlantic Canada have a natural ability to build relationships, which has been a key factor in his career.

Attending a smaller school like UNB was valuable for Colin. "It was easier to get to know people and build friendships," he says. After leaving UNB, he became part of a strong, supportive alumni network that has been instrumental in his career growth.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ryan is deeply committed to giving back to the next generation of business students. “Each year, he provides mentorship to students in UNB’s Student Investment Fund, offering valuable insights, guidance, and connections,” says Dr. Joseph DeCoste, the instructor for the Student Investment Fund and Director of UNB’s Centre for Financial Studies.

Colin’s advice to current UNB students is to believe in their ability to be successful. "In this industry, most of your competitors will be from bigger schools, but don’t let that intimidate you. Seeing and believing you can compete with them is important," he advises. Colin himself was inspired by other SIF alumni who were successful, and he encourages students to draw inspiration from those who have gone before them.

This November, Ryan will visit the faculty of management as Executive-in-Residence, where he will meet with students in classes, share his experiences, and provide one-on-one mentorship.

In recognition of his contributions, UNB’s faculty of management will honour Ryan with the Alumni Certificate of Achievement at the 35th Annual Business Awards Dinner on November 28. Ryan’s story is a powerful example of the strength of the UNB alumni community and his dedication to empowering future business leaders.

Photo: Colin Ryan (BBA ’02), Head and Managing Director of Technology and Innovation at CIBC Capital Markets and Executive-in-Residence with UNB’s faculty of management ,has just been added the faculty’s Alumni Wall of Fame.

Learn more about UNB’s Faculty of Management and Student Investment Fund.

For more information, contact Liz Lemon-Mitchell.