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Joan Ryan was elected to the Build-A-Bear Workshop board of directors in February 2006. Ms. Ryan retired in 2005 after 12 years with Walt Disney Theme Parks and Resorts where she held the position of senior vice president. In that position Ms. Ryan managed Disney’s retail businesses including merchandise food and beverage and photo imaging at Walt Disney World® resort. Prior to that position she was senior vice president of merchandise for the Walt Disney World® resort. Her areas of responsibility included Disneyland® Resort as well as Disney's international theme parks and resorts.
Prior to joining Disney Ryan spent over 30 years at various specialty retailers with responsibility for store operations and merchandising. From 1989 to1992 Ryan was executive vice president of merchandising at Ann Taylor Stores Corporation. Ryan also held positions at Lord & Taylor (a division of Federated Departments Stores Inc.) for nine years and Dayton Hudson Corporation (Target Corporation) for 13 years. Ryan earned her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. | 