She worked for General Computer Corporation in the 1980s where she was the 9th employee and first woman video game programmer.

Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering and Applied Sciences from Harvard University.

She programmed the arcade video game Quantum in her basement.

[2] Her sister, Carol Ryan Thomas, was hired later as a game tester and debugger.

[3] Ryan has spoken about her work in game development for the American Classic Arcade Museum.