Dear Friends, 

I am delighted to join Green Light as the new Executive Director. Since its conception in 2006, Andreas Hoffmann has nurtured the growth of a bright idea into a beautiful organization that serves our community members through both knowledge and empowerment. I am honored to lead Green Light New Orleans into a future in which we both strengthen and grow our existing services, and engage New Orleans residents in additional creative and pragmatic ways in which to live more sustainably. As we know, great ideas can grow into amazing realities with enduring support, thoughtful care, and a significant degree of determination. The Green Light New Orleans team has great ideas, cares deeply, and is not lacking in determination. We simply need support.

In the coming months, my primary focus will be to ensure that we can continue to do what we do exceptionally well. Our beautiful rain barrels are in high demand (a fact that we love!), but our ability to serve a waiting list of 500+ applicants in a timely manner is our biggest  challenge. Our small team makes remarkable things happen, but we want to do more. I’ll be looking for ways to deliver more rain barrels and decrease wait time by improving our processes and increasing our financial resources.

In addition to obtaining support to sustain (and grow!) our current programming, I’ll be focused on ideas for sensible expansion. Initial ideas include development of educational resources that empower New Orleans residents to live more sustainably, and that empower teachers to use Green Light New Orleans tools and materials that are aligned with their curriculum needs. Of course we are exploring funding sources for the continued development of the Green Light Garden program. The possibilities abound, but we want to be sure we are true to our mission and that we pursue those ideas that strengthen our organization and community. Insight and feedback are welcomed. 

I’ll be sharing Green Light New Orleans news, updates, and stories here regularly, and I’d love to hear back from you! Please don’t hesitate to email, call, or drop by to say hello, share some knowledge or an idea, or to help us get some barrels ready for homes! 

With so much appreciation, 
Dr. Christian Ryan