Mark Ryan undertook the initial study that resulted in the establishment of the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas and serves as its executive director. He is a former journalist and was senior political adviser to Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating. He played a key role in the establishment of the Lowy Institute and has served on its board since 2002. For 25 years he was a senior executive at Westfield Corporation. He is an Ambassador of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and a member of the National Selection Panel which assesses post graduate candidates for the Sir John Monash Scholarship awards. He consults to the Judith Neilson Family Office, the Lowy Family Group and major public companies.