Meet our team
Arnold Ventures is a group of more than 100 passionate people from all walks of life who feel a deep urgency to help people in need. Laura and John established the Laura and John Arnold Foundation in 2010 with a straightforward mission: to improve lives through evidence-based solutions. As co-founders, Laura and John actively engage in the organization’s overall direction and daily execution. Laura is an attorney and a former oil company executive. John is an investor. They have three children and reside in Houston, Texas.
Filter by Team
![Headshot of Crystal Banks](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/326575/230301-Crystal-Banks-AV-HOUSTON-726_ED_v3.webp)
Crystal Banks
Executive Assistant
![Headshot of Clare McCann](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/324530/230227-Clare-McCann-AV-DC-0677_ED_v3.webp)
Clare McCann
Director of Higher Education
![Headshot of Kelly McManus](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/19692/Kelly_McManus_691.webp)
Kelly McManus
Vice President of Higher Education
![Headshot of Alex Payne](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/381921/240312-ARNOLD-VENTURES-DC-0230-Alex-Payne-WR.webp)
Alex Payne
Director of Advocacy
![Headshot of Emmie Proctor](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/247192/Emmie-Proctor-ARNOLD-VENTURES-EXECUTIVE-PORTRAITS-0036_R_2022-05-13-164533_aseo_2022-05-13-170358_kaot.webp)
Emmie Proctor
Legal Counsel
![Headshot of Kirby Smith](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/9531/Kirby-Smith-190919-EXECUTIVE-PORTRAITS-2019-HOU-3-0160_R.webp)
Kirby Smith
Executive Vice President of Strategy and Programs
![Headshot of Jessica Taketa](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/325191/230227-Jessica-Taketa-AV-DC-0519_ED_v3.webp)
Jessica Taketa
Higher Education Manager
![Headshot of Quang Vu](https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/_900x1200_crop_bottom-center_none/382156/240327-ARNOLD-VENTURES-HOU-0283-Quang-Vu-R2-WEB-RES.webp)
Quang Vu
Grants Manager (he/him)