Water For People announces new board of directors

Aug. 26, 2010
DENVER, CO, Aug. 26, 2010 -- Water For People announced the members of the newly structured Water For People Board of Directors, which will complement the strategic direction of the organization moving forward...

DENVER, CO, Aug. 26, 2010 -- Water For People (www.waterforpeople.org) announced today the individuals that will join the newly structured Water For People Board of Directors.

In line with Water For People's 2010-2014 Strategic Plan released in March, the new Board will complement the strategic direction of the organization moving forward. Moving away from the philanthropic norm of simply reporting annual beneficiaries, Water For People is committed to measuring the impact of its water and sanitation projects over 3, 6, and 10 years, through in-depth mapping, monitoring, and evaluation.

Water For People celebrates the contributions of its previous Board of Directors and the achievement of its 2011 goals two years earlier than anticipated, and in June the Board voted for visionary and far-reaching governance changes. Water For People is the designated nongovernmental organization (NGO) partner for the North American water and wastewater community. The organization was founded in 1991 by leaders of the American Water Works Association.

"Water For People owes its very existence, and its unique place in the water and sanitation sector, to the wisdom and foresight of leaders in the North American water and wastewater community," said Elisa Speranza, President of CH2M HILL's O&M Business Group and current chair of the Water For People Board of Directors. "The grassroots support we get from water and wastewater utilities, suppliers, consultants, and other partners forms the strong platform from which we operate. Now we are adding some new perspectives to our Board to complement the guidance and wisdom of Board members who have served in the past. This new governance model will enable the organization to continue pioneering solutions to end water and sanitation poverty in the developing world."

The new members joining Water For People's Board of Directors are: Paul Bowen, Water Technology Director and Director of Strategic Business Initiatives, The Coca-Cola Company; Erich Broksas, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Investments, The Case Foundation; Monica Ellis, Chief Executive Officer, Global Environment and Technology Foundation and Global Water Challenge; Mary Kay Kaufmann, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Sales -- Americas, Nalco Company; Pat McCann, President and Chief Executive Officer, Weston Solutions Inc.; Harold MacNeil, Engineering Information Engineer, Halifax Regional Water Commission; David Nastro, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley; Darwin Nelson, Senior Vice President, CDM; Connie Roesch, Superintendent, City of Cincinnati -- Greater Cincinnati Water Works; and James Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Peerless-Midwest Inc.

Continuing Board members include: Charles DiLaura, President, Neptune Technology Group; Mark Premo, General Manager, Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility; and Elisa Speranza, President, CH2M HILL's O&M Business Group.

"The past achievements of Water For People are a true testament to the invaluable drive, direction, and inspiration that the members of our previous Board of Directors have provided us," said Ned Breslin, Chief Executive Officer of Water For People. "As we move forward guided by our 2010-2014 Strategic Plan, the compilation of the new Board members in alignment with the direction set forth by the plan will allow Water For People to achieve maximum, lasting impact in the quest to end global water and sanitation poverty worldwide."

"Water For People's reconfiguration of their Board of Directors to more closely align with the objectives of their strategic plan is a great example of the focus and discipline they demonstrate across the entire organization," said Marjorie Schaffner, Principal, The Wellington Group. "Having worked with numerous not-for-profit organizations on Board structure and governance, I recognize the powerful impact this alignment will have on the organization's work and look forward to following Water For People's successes in the future."

Orientation of the Water For People Board of Directors will take place in September, and the first full Board meeting is scheduled for January 2011 in Honduras.

Board member bios are available on the Water For People website at www.waterforpeople.org/about/people/board-members/.

For more information about Water For People, contact Peter Mason, Director of Marketing and Communications at [email protected] or visit the website at www.waterforpeople.org.

About Water For People
Founded in 1991, Water For People is an international, nonprofit humanitarian organization that focuses on long-lasting, safe drinking water resources and improved sanitation facilities in the developing world. While Water For People is in its 20th year of work it focuses not on creating a dependency on charity in the 11 countries it works in, but rather creating the ability of the local community to plan, build, finance, maintain and operate their own systems. The organization works in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America to show that its successful programs are adaptable around the world and can be replicated anywhere. In 2009 it served over 325,000 beneficiaries. Water for People is a charity of choice of the American water and wastewater community. For more information, visit www.waterforpeople.org.

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