The Great Lakes Protection Fund is pleased to welcome Ryan Smith, the newest member of our program staff, as Project Development Manager. Ryan will lead our project development efforts, spotting new opportunities and launching new approaches to improve the health of the Great Lakes.

Ryan, who joined the Fund in late 2019, understands the ins and outs of cultivating projects and partnerships, particularly around green infrastructure, agriculture, conservation finance, watershed prioritization, and environmental markets.

“We welcome Ryan as a key member of our team. He will be instrumental in exploring innovative ways to accomplish our mission. If you have a compelling idea for protecting the Great Lakes, Ryan is your best resource for turning that idea into action,” noted David Rankin, Executive Director.

Ryan was most recently a senior program lead at the Delta Institute and a natural resource program manager at the Butler Soil and Water Conservation District in Southwest Ohio. He holds a degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Wright State University and is a Certified Conservation Planner.