After finding a new CEO in Erin Sprague in January, the Colorado-based climate advocacy organization Protect Our Winters (POW) has now announced that it has hired its very first Chief Operating Officer. In his role as COO, Ryan Laemel will be responsible for both POW and the Protect Our Winter Action Fund (POW AF).
Laemel brings strong operational and leadership skills and expertise in decarbonization, which will be important for expanding POW’s work in climate defense. He then spent over seven years at RMI, a globally recognized non-profit organization focused on market-based solutions for the energy transition, and Third Derivative, a climate technology startup accelerator launched by RMI with nearly 200 companies in its portfolio. At RMI, Ryan served as Chief of Staff to co-founder Amory Lovins, founded and led the India program, and led research, policy and innovation work in the transportation, electricity and industrial sectors.
At POW, Laemel will lead operations, financial planning, training, events, athlete and science alliances, and Team POW, POW’s membership program.
“We’re excited to welcome Ryan Laemel as POW’s first Chief Operating Officer,” shared Sprague. “Ryan’s entrepreneurial experience, decarbonization expertise, and human-centered leadership will be mission critical in growing POW’s outdoor movement for climate impact.”
POW was founded in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones. It is the outdoor movement for climate action through training, advocacy and storytelling, led by the world’s most inspiring athletes, scientists, creatives and brands. The organization is transforming the “Outdoor State” into passionate advocates to protect communities and experiences from climate change.
