24 months ago, a group of committed folks embarked upon the mission of creating a world-class community of climate tech entrepreneurs rooted in New Haven, CT. That community–aptly titled ClimateHaven–aimed to attract talented folks from around the city, state, and region. After joining this group 18 months ago, I’m pleased to report that ClimateHaven is thriving. Equally exciting, we’ve built an incredibly strong foundation for ClimateHaven’s future. We have a remarkable team, a dynamic community of 25 member startups, a robust network of partners, and a welcoming home in downtown New Haven.

With this foundation constructed, we can continue to build upon it–by improving and expanding the programming, resources, and network that our entrepreneurial community needs to scale their climate tech ventures. The presence of a strong foundation also offers an opportunity for transition. I joined ClimateHaven as a board member and founding CEO because I saw the enormous potential of the climate tech community in New Haven. With that potential unleashed and the ClimateHaven community now a wonderful, dynamic force, I take this moment to step back from my role as founding CEO and open the door for new leadership to build on our strong foundation.

As many of you know, I have been commuting from my home near Boston during my time at ClimateHaven. Recently, I received an offer to become the U.S. CEO of an international climate investment firm that is establishing its U.S. headquarters in Boston. It is a wonderful professional opportunity which comes with a valuable benefit: it will enable me to spend more time with my amazing family. As much as I love my role at ClimateHaven, this was an opportunity I simply could not turn down.

Luckily for me, I get to remain an active part of this community. I will remain on the ClimateHaven Board of Directors, continue to write the Startup Playbook, lead the /Climb workshops, and enthusiastically advise the ClimateHaven startup community.

Our board of directors has begun the search for our next CEO, and I encourage you to share the job description with stellar potential candidates.

In the meantime, Casey Pickett, Managing Director—Incubation, and Haley Lieberman, Director of Community & Marketing, will serve as interim co-leads for ClimateHaven. Casey and Haley will continue to work together with our thoughtful and dedicated staff in supporting our community of climate tech entrepreneurs. ClimateHaven is in excellent hands with this team. I won’t have the pleasure of holding the CEO title any longer, but I will take great joy in continuing to work with all of you, invest alongside you, and together support the great work the ClimateHaven community is doing for the love of the planet.

On behalf of the entire ClimateHaven team, we are so grateful for your continued support.

By no means a goodbye, just a see you later,
Ryan
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To the ClimateHaven community,
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If you’ve gotten to know Ryan over the past year and a half, then I’m sure you share my sadness that he is stepping down as CEO. Ryan has delivered what we had hoped for in a founding CEO, and more. His passion for tackling the climate crisis and supporting the entrepreneurs who are making that challenge their life’s work is contagious and inspiring. The leadership he provided building ClimateHaven from an idea to a thriving startup incubator was essential and sets us up for continued growth and impact.

When we hired Ryan knowing he was not going to move to New Haven, we knew that it would be difficult for him and his family. We knew his time with us was likely to be limited, but we believed he was the right leader to take us from 0 to 1.  He delivered, and we are very grateful.  We are also thrilled that he will continue to stay actively engaged in ClimateHaven, working with the entrepreneurs who he believes in so strongly.

The Board has already kicked off the search process for our next CEO and we encourage outstanding potential candidates to apply. The job description is posted here.

We know that ClimateHaven will not miss a beat in this interim period thanks to the leadership of our fantastic staff, led by Casey Pickett and Haley Lieberman, who will lead the organization together until we welcome a new CEO.

On behalf of the entire board of directors, we want to congratulate Ryan on his next big professional challenge and offer our deepest thanks for the essential contributions he made to the first chapter of ClimateHaven’s history.  We are more excited than ever about the future.
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Josh Geballe
Chairperson, ClimateHaven Board of Directors