40 Under 40: John Arnao ’17MBA

My greatest achievement has been raising millions of dollars for causes that are very important to me while also helping the donors and volunteers I’ve met along the way find passion and purpose in their giving, whether it be of their time, talent, or treasure. Their stories of survival and perseverance inspire and motivate me to make the most out of every dollar raised. Their stories of survival inspire me and motivate me to keep growing. I am always fulfilled when I can help a donor identify their passion for giving and connect it back to the organization’s mission in a meaningful way. Sometimes people don’t even realize what that is at first, so it’s my job to help uncover it. 

Lead with integrity, have goals, build a path for success, and learn from others who have found success before you. Also, enlist help from others to get to where you want to be, but don’t ever compromise yourself and your guiding values in the process. 

My most cherished memory at Arcadia was when my MBA cohort took a trip abroad to London. It was my first time in Europe, and I enjoyed every aspect of the experience. Traveling to new places, experiencing other cultures, and learning new things helped me to grow as a person and be opened up to life experiences that are different than my own.