With deep gratitude for all his remarkable contributions, My Green Lab bids farewell to Ryan Arnold as our Vice President of Investments and Partnerships and Health Sector Lead for the High-Level Climate Champions. Throughout his time with My Green Lab, Ryan has been a true advocate for climate action, driving impactful change and inspiring our community to advance sustainable practices while playing a crucial role in launching our subsidiary, Impact Laboratories.
As Ryan embarks on his next chapter as Regional Business Manager for the Spokane Region at Avista Corporation, we take this opportunity to reflect on his journey, achievements, and vision. Below, Ryan shares insights and experiences that have shaped his impactful career at My Green Lab. 1. What stands out about your time with My Green Lab, and what are you most proud of contributing? One of the things that stands out most to me is the incredible group of leaders at My Green Lab. This team’s passion for sustainability was what first drew me in and why I joined. From the very beginning, I saw a commitment to making a global impact, and that vision has only grown stronger as we’ve expanded the team with more amazing individuals. As VP of Investments and Partnerships, I had the privilege of fostering diverse relationships that brought together people from different sectors, and I’m proud of helping drive these relationships. A highlight was securing funding and building resources for Impact Laboratories—a leadership experience that has been deeply rewarding. As I step away, I feel confident that I’ve helped set the organization up for continued success. 2. What key learnings will you take with you from your time at My Green Lab that will guide you in future roles? My Green Lab gave me the opportunity to broaden my skillset in building partnerships and managing relationships on a global scale. While I’ve always worked on initiatives in this space, this role took those efforts to an international level. I learned how global organizations collaborate, how supply chains function worldwide, and how to initiate a global movement through relationship building. That’s key for me. These lessons are invaluable and highly transferable to any work I do moving forward. The skills and networks I’ve developed during this time will continue to guide me in creating meaningful change. 3. What are some of your favorite memories with the team, and how did those experiences shape your time here? My favorite memories revolve around the team retreats. Meeting in person with colleagues I’d worked with virtually allowed us to connect on a personal level. My Green Lab has always been intentional about creating opportunities for the team to bond beyond just work conversations. These moments—getting to know my teammates as individuals—have been so meaningful. It’s those personal connections that enrich day-to-day collaboration and make this work truly special. 4. What advice would you give someone stepping into a similar role looking to make an impact on sustainability? For anyone taking on a global initiative in sustainability, my biggest advice is twofold: First, focus on building a network of passionate individuals who can carry the message forward. Relationships are the foundation of meaningful change. Second, look for key leverage points that can create ripple effects. It’s not just about spreading the word—it’s about identifying and addressing the structural opportunities that shift entire markets. For example, the Million Advocates for Sustainable Science campaign aims to fundamentally change how scientific funding is delivered, creating systematic change. It takes time, relationships, and finding passionate people to build up the momentum that can become a key leverage point. These two things together, I think, are what My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories have been doing really well. For someone in a similar role, these are the critical approaches you have to connect to make an impact. 5. As you transition to your new role, how do you plan to stay connected to the community to support My Green Lab in the future? My new role is deeply community- and business-focused, which allows me to engage with a diverse range of organizations and stakeholders across the region. My goal is to be an advocate and to make sure that, while I’m out there in the world, I’m telling everyone about the great things I see, hear, and I have worked on in the past. I’ve always done this in the past with startups and organizations I’ve worked with, and I think it’s the role of being a key connector or partnership facilitator. I’ll remain a connector and champion for My Green Lab, sharing its successes and fostering partnerships wherever I can. Even though I’m departing, I’m still passionate about what we’ve done at My Green Lab, and I’m excited to watch this team grow and achieve even more in the years ahead. I’ll be telling the world what My Green Lab is up to because they’re doing great things. While Ryan transitions to his new role, he will remain an advisor to and continue to support My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories’ growth in Spokane and beyond. Please join us in wishing Ryan success in his new role as Regional Business Manager at Avista! We know he’ll continue to make a difference and lead with passion. Comments are closed.
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