Ryan Hale

Ryan has proudly called Northwest Arkansas home for over 35 years, and his career has been marked by a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the communities he serves. Ryan's career began in community banking, where he gained valuable insights into the financial needs and dynamics of local companies and communities. He also brings a unique perspective to his work from his time as a student-athlete, having served as Team Captain of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks Football Team in 1998. Following his collegiate career, Ryan spent time with the New York Giants, contributing to the team’s journey to Super Bowl 35.

Ryan spent 5.5 years as a member of the Walton Family Foundation, where he served as a Program Officer in the Home Region. During his tenure, Ryan played an instrumental role in the development of Northwest Arkansas’ extensive bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Through collaborating with cities and key stakeholders and administering philanthropic investments, numerous transformative projects were brought to life, such as the Razorback Regional Greenway, the Back 40 mountain biking trail system, and the redevelopment of Lake Atalanta in Rogers, AR. These projects helped to connect communities and foster a culture of active living in the region.

In 2017, driven by a passion for creating connected and livable communities, Ryan founded Laneshift, an active transportation consulting firm with a mission of strengthening people and places through active transportation. Laneshift eventually became a division of Crafton Tull in 2025, combining the expertise of both companies to foster collaboration with cities, companies, developers, and advocacy organizations.