Welcome, Ryan! We are thrilled to announce Ryan Laemel as Protect Our Winters's Chief Operating Officer. Ryan joins us from Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a globally recognized nonprofit focused on market-based solutions to the energy transition, as well as Third Derivative, an RMI-launched accelerator for climate-tech startups with nearly 200 companies in its portfolio.
"We're excited to welcome Ryan Laemel as POW's first Chief Operating Officer," shared Erin Sprague, CEO at Protect Our Winters. "Ryan's entrepreneurial experience, decarbonization expertise, and human-centered leadership will be mission critical in growing POW's outdoor movement for climate impact."
Ryan's journey to POW is not just professional, but personal. After a decade in climate and energy, he is thrilled to join the POW team. His passion for the outdoors as a climber, trail runner and skier, combined with his professional experience, makes him uniquely positioned to lead in this COO role. "While we're making strides on economics in the climate race, we must continue to progress on people, places, and politics," says Ryan. "POW is committed to rallying the outdoor community to support elected leaders who are climate champions, pass policies, and share stories to protect our planet."
POW is the outdoor movement for climate impact, led by the world's most inspirational athletes, scientists, creatives, and brands through training, advocacy, and narrative. We help the Outdoor State, the 168 million Americans who recreate outside, turn into advocates to protect the places and experiences they love from climate change.
As our new COO, Ryan will be pivotal in overseeing operations, financial planning, trainings, events, Athlete and Science Alliances, and Team POW, POW's member program. His leadership will be instrumental in driving our mission forward. Based in Basalt, CO, Ryan is a passionate outdoor advocate who embodies the spirit of our organization. Join us in welcoming Ryan!