John D. Arnold is an American philanthropist and co-founder of Arnold Ventures LLC, previously known as the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. His career began at Enron Corporation in 1995, where he served as an oil analyst before advancing to assistant trader. At just 21 years old, John leveraged modern technologies like internet trading and algorithmic trading, quickly gaining recognition for his impressive profitability. His success led Enron to entrust him with trading natural gas derivatives, eventually promoting him to manager.
In 2007, Arnold made headlines as the youngest billionaire in the U.S., a testament to his acumen in the energy trading sector. He founded Centaurus Advisors, LLC, a Houston-based hedge fund that specialized in trading energy products. Under his leadership, the firm thrived until its closure in 2012, after which Arnold redirected his focus towards philanthropy and social impact initiatives.
Through Arnold Ventures LLC, John seeks to address pressing societal issues by funding evidence-based solutions in various fields, including education, health, and public policy. His philanthropic efforts aim to create measurable change and improve the quality of life for communities across the country.
In addition to his philanthropic work, Arnold serves on the board of Breakthrough Energy Ventures and, since February 2024, has been a member of the board of directors at Meta. His journey from a prominent energy trader to a dedicated philanthropist exemplifies his commitment to leveraging his success for the greater good.