MrBrent Ryan

Brent Ryan is a proud Mutti Mutti man with strong family connections to Balranald through the Gorringe and Bulman families. He is an experienced senior leader with a passion for fostering positive workplace cultures and building high-performing teams across the community services and education sectors.
 
Driven by a commitment to creating systemic change, Brent spent almost a decade teaching within the youth justice system before moving into capacity-building roles in the out-of-home care sector. These experiences highlighted the need for broader reform, as meaningful change was not occurring at the pace required to improve outcomes.
 
This commitment led Brent to play a key leadership role as Director of Engagement, Support and Communications at the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Australia's first truth-telling and reconciliation commission. In this role, he contributed to hearing stories, raising awareness, shaping recommendations and advocating for change in areas where Victoria’s First Peoples continue to be overrepresented, while also helping to share and celebrate the rich cultures, histories and strengths of First Peoples across the state.
 
Brent is recognised for his strong cultural integrity, exceptional interpersonal skills, and highly effective verbal and public communication abilities. These strengths enable him to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, streamline processes, and support organisations in achieving their strategic goals and objectives.

Prioir to joining Deakin, Brent had also studied here completing a Master of Teaching and also tutoring via NIKERI, before retuning in June 2026 where he is the Associate Dean, Indigenous Engagement for the Faculty of Health.