After five-plus years as a program officer at the Walton Family Foundation, Ryan Hale has left to start his own consulting company.
Hale played defensive line for Arkansas from 1994-98 then played two years in the NFL with the New York Giants. At the foundation, Hale dealt primarily with the region’s bicycle lanes and walking trails.
On Jan. 1, Hale started LaneShift, his consulting firm that will work with cities, developers and philanthropies to develop “people-friendly” trail and bicycle infrastructure in northwest Arkansas.
During his time at the Walton Family Foundation, Hale worked as the lead person on a “significant amount” of grants the foundation provided for trails. Hale said he will use the experience and connections he developed at the Walton Family Foundation as a consultant.
“It was a real blessing to work there,” Hale said. “The Walton Family Foundation treated me really well.”
Hale said he had always wanted to start his own business and decided about four to five months ago to do it. He let the foundation know his plans to better prepare the transition.
“It has been a dream of mine,” Hale said. “It’s something I’ve toyed with for several years. The timing was right. This wasn’t willy-nilly on the back of a napkin.”
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