Cullen Ryan has served homeless and special needs populations for 39 years. A formerly licensed clinician (LICSW) with a BA from the University of Vermont and an MA in Counseling and Psychological Services from St. Mary’s University (Minnesota), Cullen has provided case management, family therapy, and individual/group psychotherapy to homeless adults, families, and adolescents in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings in three states. Since April of 2026, Cullen has served as Chief Strategy Officer for 3Rivers, a nonprofit serving people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Maine and New Hampshire. Previously, he served for 22 years as Executive Director of Community Housing of Maine, the largest supportive housing provider for homeless and special needs populations in the state. Cullen has organized, united, and led diverse groups, helping Maine and other states speak with one voice to effect change and housing policies for vulnerable populations through local, state, and federal policy development. Cullen has been elected to numerous leadership roles focused on ending homelessness and improving the system of care for people with disabilities in Maine. He serves on the Board of Evernorth (former chair/co-chair), chairs the Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board, and chairs the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services. Cullen was a past chair of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition, the first president of the Maine Continuum of Care, and co-chaired and served for 20 years on Maine’s Statewide Homeless Council. Cullen’s advocacy has been recognized by receipt of the Maine Association of Community Service Providers Legislative Advocacy Award in 2013; the Joseph Brannigan Community Excellence Award in 2014; the Port Resources Shining Star Award in 2015; Spurwink’s 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Award; the MACSP Bonnie Jean Brooks Shining
Light Award in 2023, and the Portland Chamber of Commerce 2024 Collaborator Award.