Rod Bryden was born in New Brunswick. He received his education from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick; the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton; and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. From 1967 to 1969, Rod Bryden was Professor of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. In 1969, Rod Bryden moved to Ottawa and held various positions with the Government of Canada, including Assistant Deputy Minister of Regional Economic Expansion, prior to moving to independent business at the end of 1973.

In 1974, Rod Bryden founded Systemhouse Ltd., with seven senior information systems professionals. He was President or Chairman of Systemhouse until June of 1991, as Systemhouse became Canada's leading computer integration company with over 3,000 employees and $700 million of annual revenues.

In 1979, Rod Bryden founded Paperboard Industries Corporation (PIC) by acquiring Trent Valley Paperboard Mills, which had 166 employees and annual revenues of $12 million. Rod Bryden was Chairman of PIC until 1991, when PIC had become Canada's largest manufacturer of paper from recycled fibre, and the largest manufacturer of paperbox packaging. PIC revenues were $700 million, with 4,000 employees in 1990.

In January 1992, Rod Bryden became CEO of Terrace Corporation, the principal owner of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, and Vice Chairman and Alternate Governor of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club. On September 1, 1993, Rod Bryden became Chairman and Governor of the Club. In July 1994, construction of the Palladium was begun by Palladium Corporation. The Palladium, now known as the Corel Centre, opened in January 1996. Rod Bryden is the owner and Chairman of the Corporation.

In April 1996, Rod Bryden joined with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Dr. Tofy Mussivand and Dr. Michael Cowpland to form World Heart Corporation. Rod Bryden is President and Chief Executive Officer of World Heart Corporation.