Meet Ryan Arnold, My Green Lab's Senior Director for Investments and Partnerships

We are pleased to introduce you to Ryan Arnold, My Green Lab's Senior Director for Investments and Partnerships. Ryan began his career in the green building industry and has always had a drive for creating positive social and environmental change. 

Learn more about Ryan, his interests, and his sustainability journey below!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself & your background.
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I’m originally from Dunedin, Florida but I had the pleasure of growing up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – where I still currently live with my wife of twelve years, our five-year-old son, and our new puppy Miko. I originally studied Business Management at the University of Idaho where I received my Bachelors, and then went on to get my M.B.A. in Sustainable Business from Bainbridge Graduate Institute in the Seattle area.

I’ve worked a lot of different industries and positions over the years including in green building, economic development, and education; but the main goal I’ve tried to have for myself is to have a positive social and/or environmental impact through my work – which has helped keep me true to my purpose and has helped me develop a really rewarding career – including my newest role here at My Green Lab. 

What is your role at My Green Lab?

I have the pleasure to be joining the My Green Lab team as Senior Director for Investments and Partnerships – a newly formed role to help My Green Lab meet its impact and growth goals as we continue to expand our global capacity and reach. For me, it’s an exciting role where I’ll be working with My Green Lab partners and supporters – challenging us all to think big about the opportunity we have in creating positive change in the scientific community. It’s a role that fits my belief that through partnerships and industry collaboration great things can be accomplished. I’m looking forward to engaging the My Green Lab community and growing our collective reach.

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

Working for environmental and social causes that are greater than myself is an infinite well of inspiration and creativity to draw from, and with passionate work you end up finding great people who share that same energy. There are so many problems in the world that need addressing, and the ability to use my education and skills to try and help solve them is what I find most exciting. In that sense, I’m not so much “inspired” by one cause – but how to find ways to make the greatest positive impact I can with the time I have in my life.

What are your personal sustainability goals?

My major goal was to get back into a field of work that held sustainability as a core tenant and make environmental issues something I support every day. I started my career in the green building industry and found it a rewarding space, and I really wanted to return to an environmentally focused career path. My Green Lab’s was a great opportunity to do that. One of the other things I’m looking to get more involved with is water quality issues in my region. The Northwest is blessed with abundant water resources – but due to past issues like mining waste, along with current issues such as population growth and climate change, water quality and access issues are critical issues both regionally and globally.

What are your hobbies outside of work? 

Speaking of water – my family and I end up spending a lot time at the lake during the summer – and then trade it for skiing in the winter. Music and travel (sometimes at the same time) are other big parts of my life, I’m always trying to add new countries, venues, and bands to my list – especially as the world opens more in 2022. Being a dad/husband is one of those great things that keeps me infinitely busy and entertained - life’s pretty good.

What are your favorite books / movies? 

There is nothing I enjoy more than browsing a library or bookstore and stumbling upon a random book that strikes my interest. I’m a non-fiction junky – finding that for me learning is the same as entertainment. My favorite readings lately have been specifically on regional history of where I live and places I’ve visited – adding some depth and context to the world around me. Lately that has included works on tribal communities in the Northwest and a book on the history of New Orleans after I visited for a conference. As far as movies, my son dominates the TV at home, so anything on Disney plus these days – I get what I get. ;)
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Where do you call home?

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – which is a lakeside community in the panhandle of Idaho. It’s well known as a destination place for recreation and the four seasons, but what keeps us here is a great set of friends and family to share it with.