meet the staff

September 13, 2012
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Behind the scenes: September Campaign.

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Ever wonder what goes into the making of our September Campaign videos and stories? Besides unhealthy amounts of caffeine and all-nighters at the office, we have a little fun, too. And plenty of adventure.

Watch the video and scroll down for a rare peek behind the scenes at the making of this year’s September Campaign.

charity: water team in RwandaThe charity: water team enjoys a brief break between shoots on the June trip to Rwanda. From left to right: Jon Reisinger (Videographer), Paul Pryor (Videographer), Scott Harrison (Founder), Viktoria Harrison (Creative Director), Jamie Pent (Videographer/Editor), Melissa Burmester (Project Manager), and Matt Oliver (friend of charity: water). Not pictured: Natalie Ingle (Copywriter).
Vik, Jamie, Paul in Rwanda
The kids of Gitambi go crazy when Vik demonstrates her jump-roping skills. Jamie is surrounded by new friends in Remera-Mbogo, and Paul and Jon set up our so-called “Jerry cam” in Kigasa.
Vik and Melissa in Rwanda
With a tripod in place of a telescope, Vik surveys the Land of a Thousand Hills. Melissa reluctantly gets up close and personal with Bagina’s cow in Kiviri.
Scott, Jon and Jamie in Rwanda
Scott tries out the latest youth fashion in Kigasa–a forehead sticker. In Kiviri, Jon and Jamie try recruiting new videographers, but the equipment is nearly as big as they are.
Melissa, Jon, Scott in Rwanda
Melissa hitches a ride with a staffer from Water for People in Kiviri. On the way to a celebration in Kisaro, our truck starts spewing blue smoke. Once at the ceremony, Scott surveys the gathered crowd from on top of a water tank.
Paul and Jamie in Nairobi airport
Lack of sleep catches up to Paul and Jamie, goofing off in the Nairobi airport. No wonder they didn’t sleep–equipment nearly covers the beds in Paul’s and Jon’s hotel room in Kigali.
Scott and Natalie in Rwanda
Playing with kids is always one of the highlights of visiting new countries, and they can never get enough of Scott. Even Natalie’s hair is a source of fascination.
charity: water team gets the shot
Jon, Paul, and Scott all aim their lenses at a woman they passed on the road, while Matt holds a reflector. Paul gets down on the kids’ level.
charity: water team in Rwanda Latifa (translator), Jamie, Melissa, and Natalie strike a pose for their imaginary band in front of a sign for one of Rwanda’s most popular beers. Paul and Jon take aim at the town of Kigasa.

lunch in Rwanda
What would a set of travel photos be without a picture of food? This lunch is sweet potatoes, cooked green bananas, “Irish” potatoes, veggies, eggplant in nut sauce, and beans. And, of course, orange Fanta.


Want to know more about the people we met and the projects we’re working on in Rwanda? Watch the videos and check out the stories on our September Campaign site. Then join us.

September Campaign 2012 website

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August 30, 2012
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from the office: Town Hall and NYSE

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Tuesday night, in the midst of the September Campaign, charity: water’s staff paused to think big picture. For our semi-annual Town Hall meeting, we talked strategy to reach our organizational goal of giving clean water to 100 million people. We’ve served 2.5 million people already but that means we’re only 2.5% of the way there, so these updates are crucial to keep us on track.

Then we took a break from business to honor four hard-working colleagues–Jasdeep Gosal, Melissa Burmester, Bill Bell, and Stephanie Goetz, who, as MVP of MVPs, was awarded Jerry, the mustachioed bunny (named after our Jerry can logo).

charity: water staff at our Town Hall meeting

The very next afternoon, those MVPs got to join a few others of the charity: water team to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Over 100 million people from around the world watch this event every day – now that many more people know about us and our current September Campaign for Rwanda.

charity: water at New York Stock Exchange NYSE photos by Ben Hider

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August 16, 2012
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Meet the staff: Summer interns!

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Since we didn’t get to introduce our Summer interns when they began, we’re taking this opportunity to give them a great big THANK YOU. We’re pretty sure they’re the hardest working group of students and recent grads that any organization could ask for, and we’re sad to see them go. What’s next? Find out below.

Ashley Westrich

Ashley Westrich, charity: water intern

Intern Role: Design Intern
School: Pratt Institute (Dec 2012)
Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Career Goal:

I’d love to continue using my design skills to draw attention to and promote the message of good causes.

Best part about working at charity: water:

I love contributing to the charity: water mission – it’s so fulfilling to have my work be part of a bigger picture. The team is passionate about everything they do, so the spirit of this place is contagious. And, of course, sitting next to Greg each day is a dream.*
(*That last one was not strongly suggested AT ALL.)

What’s next?

I’m not leaving! I’ve gotten too attached to charity: water and will happily continuing to work here as I finish up my degree.

Grace Ko, charity: water intern

Grace Ko

Intern Role: Development Intern
School: Graduated – Boston University (2012)
Hometown: Queens, NY

Career Goal:

Love on donors. Motivate others to bring justice for those in need. Witness the end of the water crisis. I know, I’m a pretty ambitious chick.

Best part about working at charity: water:

Hands down, special acknowledgments. Throughout my internship, I came to realize that our donors are our heroes, and we’re their sidekicks! The efforts of our contributors never cease to amaze me and put hope into charity. I get to send out welcome packages and write thank you letters to these awesome people. And this goes without saying, but the dev team – best part.

What’s next?

To be determined. Stay tuned!

Judson Collier, charity: water intern

Judson Collier

Intern Role: Design Intern
School: University of Mobile (2014)
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Career Goal:

Type Designer (But seriously? Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Tester. C’mon, who wouldn’t?)

Best part about working at charity: water:

Anytime I get to talk to charity: water staff about what projects they are working on; there’s almost always something interesting going on, and it’s great to hear about what they are doing.

What’s next?

Headed back to school this semester!

Kacie Dragan, charity: water intern

Kacie Dragan

Intern Role: Production Intern
School: Barnard College, Uptown Manhattan (2014)
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Career Goal:

I care more about the mission and values of the organization I work for than my specific role there… but I’d love to be a liaison between a health-focused nonprofit and the population it works with.

Best part about working at charity: water:

I have loved the incredible conversations, because everyone always has really insightful input even when a conversation has nothing to do with an individual’s specific role. I think that all of the collective brainstorming is a huge part of why charity: water is so successful. I also love the collective charity: water sense of humor, even if it means hearing the occasional bad joke.

What’s next?

Graduate from Barnard with a degree in Sociology and Human Rights, possibly attend public health graduate school, and enjoy every bit of living in New York while I’m at it!

Kaitlyn Swist, charity: water intern

Kaitlyn Swist

Intern Role: Development Intern
School: Graduated – Bentley University (2012)
Hometown: Seaford, NY

Career Goal:

To be the CEO of my own nonprofit organization

Best part about working at charity: water:

The people! Not just the people in the office, though they are incredibly amazing, but also our donors and partners. Everyone that is a part of charity: water, even in the smallest ways, are what have made my experience at charity: water one of the best experiences of my life.

What’s next?

I’ll keep you guys posted…

Kelly Newburg, charity: water intern

Kelly Newburg

Intern Role: Corporate Partnerships and Communications Intern
School: Pennsylvania State University (2013)
Hometown: State College, PA

Career Goal:

Make a difference! I don’t 100% know how or where or when, but I know I want to make a difference in the lives of as many people as possible.

Best part about working at charity: water:

Being surrounded by the most passionate and dedicated people who all have the same goal: end the water crisis. Spending my days with our staff and interns has reinforced why I fell in love with charity: water and its mission in the first place. Well, that, and coming into a relaxed office, getting work done while sitting on a comfy (donated) couch every day hasn’t been too shabby either!

What’s next?

Attend my final year at Penn State while remaining crazy passionate about the water crisis by spreading awareness and raising funds for charity: water through the club I founded — appropriately known as charity: water Penn State!

Kevin Lai, charity: water intern

Kevin Lai

Intern Role: Supporter Experience Intern
School: Manhattan College (2015)
Hometown: Metuchen, NJ
Career Goal: Seeker/Dreamer/Builder

Best part about working at charity: water:

The environment in the office is amazing, and I’m so glad to be working with such cool people who are just FILLED with joy and integrity. I’ve learned so much about what the people on the inside of an organization have to do, believe, and stand for as individuals and as a team. Any kind of real change or growth works from the inside out.

What’s next?

Not exactly sure (though SO STOKED for whatever it is) — definitely finishing up school and definitely getting to know God and His dreams for my life.

Seeking an amazing internship experience? Check our postings here >

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June 4, 2012
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Meet the staff: the charity: water tech team

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At charity: water, we’re passionate about reinventing charity through innovative technology. Our team is busy every day building new products to delight our supporters and help our staff make an even bigger impact.

We’re growing fast and looking for some outstanding developers to join us. Watch this video to meet our tech team and then check out our jobs page — we’re hiring!

Brian

Brian Honohan

He’s been described by our staff as a genius — we think that’s probably why he’s our Director of Technology! He spends his days streamlining all of our technology, managing the tech team, and helping us do our jobs more effectively.

Who should apply to be part of the tech team?
“We’re a small, nimble team, and it’s not uncommon for team members to end up working on the full stack. There’s no one programming language that we’re bound to, and therefore we want developers who are able to apply an understanding of core concepts to implement maintainable solutions. Ultimately, we’re looking for smart people, who enjoy launching projects and overcoming challenges.”
Christina

Christina Lutters

She always dreamed of joining a non-profit and working in tech — now that’s exactly what she’s doing as our Front-End Developer! Christina is the only girl on our tech team and she’s a powerhouse when it comes to coding our website.

How did you end up at charity: water?
“I was inspired to join the charity: water team because I came across the organization website two years ago. It was gorgeous, and I basically developed a crush on the organization. It was kind of my dream to work with tech in a non-profit because there weren’t a lot of organizations doing it well — I thought charity: water was. When I saw that there was an opening, I totally jumped on it. I didn’t even think to look anywhere else.”
Jasdeep

Jasdeep Gosal

Jasdeep is a Software Developer on our tech team and he’s also recognized by the staff as the most fashionable employee. Lately, he’s using his brilliant coding skills to set up the maps that follow the drilling rig from the September Campaign.

Do you have a favorite aspect of working for the tech team?
It’s always very interesting. There’s not a lot of mundane work and all the work we do is for a good reason. I’m never doing busywork, and I really like that. I get to work on a really diverse range of projects, and so I even get to do some front-end stuff — most of my work is back-end.

What do you call the tech team’s office?
“I insist that it be referred to as the keep. People who don’t are not allowed in. So, if you ever need something — it’s not the dungeon, it’s not just an office… it’s the ‘Tech Keep.’ It’s labeled.”

Matt

Matt Tucker

He describes himself as the tallest member of the charity: water team and he sports Warby Parker glasses. Matt Tucker is our other Software Developer and has been really influential in the creation of WAZI, an internal product that will help us stay on track in all aspects of our mission.

What’s it like to work for the tech team?
“One thing that’s really cool about working here in such a small team… it’s almost like working for a small tech start-up. You get to kind of touch all levels of the technology stack, from the database to what’s happening in the middle tier — all the way up to doing some Javascript, HTML and CSS-type stuff. If you’re interested in kind of having your hand in a little bit of everything, it’s a great place to work.”

We’re looking to add more incredibly talented people to our tech team. Does Javascript make you giddy? Do you want to work as part of a team that creates technology forward programs that will change the lives of thousands of people? Come work for us! For more info, check out our jobs page here >

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April 20, 2012
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from the office: let them eat cake[pops]

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The staff here at charity: water works really hard to bring people clean water — but we also like to take breaks! We walked into the kitchen this morning to find this crowd devouring delicious peppermint cake pops made by one of our interns, Emma Kay Stevenson. Thanks, Emma!

cake pops

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