Ryan Arnold

Director of community engagement, Drake University

Age: 38

Wife: Kristyn Arnold 

Children: Jack and Ellie

Reasons he is a Forty: Ryan serves as a connector, bringing people and organizations together to address community identified needs. He serves on several community boards, including as vice president of Home Inc. He has played a leadership role in the $130 million of real estate development taking place in the Drake neighborhood. 

What are your goals in your role at your company? My professional goals are to cultivate and sustain robust, mutually beneficial community partnerships enabling Drake University to be an effective anchor institution, co-creating a thriving and equitable community in Central Iowa and throughout the state. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? I am fortunate to work alongside several community organizations, including Home Inc. and DMARC. In this work my goals are to leverage personal time and competencies to advance their mission and, when possible, to encourage collaboration across organizations so that together we can better address community needs. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? My passion is the generative work of love and justice, because if we affirm the humanity in others, we can dismantle systemic oppression and overcome the dominance of fear.

What is it that drives you? As a child and teenager, my faith community worked with neighbors experiencing homelessness. We provided food and a safe space for personal hygiene, and we listened to their stories, shared our own, and learned one another’s names. These formative experiences taught me the intrinsic joy of compassion, and this informs my definition of success and drives my pursuit thereof.

What are your future aspirations? I am working toward a Ph.D. in educational leadership, exploring institutional and community partnerships. I hope to be transformed into a better leader, thinker and human being by the educational process.

Three hobbies: Camping and hiking, fishing, and baseball. 

Fun fact: Ryan hates flying. His fear could be the result of the first time he went up in an airplane. He was 19 years old, and he jumped out. They called it skydiving.

One word to describe you: Tenacious.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? I wish for Central Iowa businesses to continue to invest in the youths of our community. They are bright and talented, and with support and opportunity, they will form Des Moines into a place where all can thrive.  

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? I am a youth baseball coach, ordained Christian minister, and met my wife in a honky-tonk.

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? To young professionals, I encourage you to engage. Find an organization whose mission aligns with your passion and do two things: volunteer and donate monthly. Budget engagement into your finances and your calendar.  

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? I would like Central Iowa leaders to partner with educators to cure the achievement gap. For far too long a student’s race, ethnicity, language at home or need for accessibility have dictated a student’s academic and professional success. Solving the achievement gap is key to creating an equitable, vibrant and prosperous community.