At its core, GWC is a force multiplier – connecting donor investments with implementation expertise, aligning private-sector resources with public development goals, and building the institutional scaffolding needed to make water security durable.
We are grateful to our funders and partners, which include leading foundations, brands, corporations, philanthropists, and public agencies – a mix of support that helps to make our delivery of high-impact platforms possible.
At its core, GWC is a force multiplier – connecting donor investments with implementation expertise, aligning private-sector resources with public development goals, and building the institutional scaffolding needed to make water security durable.
We are grateful to our funders and partners, which include leading foundations, brands, corporations, philanthropists, and public agencies – a mix of support that helps to make our delivery of high-impact platforms possible.
GWC’s program expenses represent 90% of total expenses – with just 10% allocated for management.
That means 90 cents of every U.S. dollar goes directly to our impact platforms.
GWC’s secretariat, Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF), another 501(c)(3) organization with Charity Navigator’s 100% financial health rating, provides turnkey operational management.
These shared resources make both organizations more efficient – ensuring that program funding is optimized. To achieve this efficiency, GETF and GWC employ management principles based on private sector best practices to minimize overhead while maximizing funding to invest in our Mission.
GWC’s program expenses represent 90% of total expenses – with just 10% allocated for management.
That means 90 cents of every U.S. dollar goes directly to our impact platforms.
GWC’s secretariat, Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF), another 501(c)(3) organization with Charity Navigator’s 100% financial health rating, provides turnkey operational management.
These shared resources make both organizations more efficient – ensuring that program funding is optimized. To achieve this efficiency, GETF and GWC employ management principles based on private sector best practices to minimize overhead while maximizing funding to invest in our Mission.
GWC’s expert, agile team brings multi-disciplinary skills to design, manage, and scale water security and WASH partnerships.
From corporate advisory and program development to implementing partner management, technical insight, policy, and strategic communication, we work across diverse geographies and operating environments.
GWC’s expert, agile team brings multi-disciplinary skills to design, manage, and scale water security and WASH partnerships.
From corporate advisory and program development to implementing partner management, technical insight, policy, and strategic communication, we work across diverse geographies and operating environments.
Our dedicated and accomplished board of directors brings a wealth of knowledge and networks to enable our mission to advance water security and access for all.
William K. Reilly
Founding Partner
Aqua International Partners
Monica Ellis
Chief Executive Officer
Global Water Challenge
GWC’s core team contributes both specialized expertise and global program management to develop and oversee our growing partnership project portfolio.
Monica Ellis
Chief Executive Officer
Scott Denlinger
Chief Financial Officer
Malick Keita
Senior Water Stewardship Director and Lead,
Africa Water Stewardship Initiative
Mauricio Chavarria
Corporate Engagement Lead, Latin America
Leah Waters
Senior Director, Water Stewardship and Resilience
Joseph Tirpak
Technical Advisor, Corporate Water Replenishment and Stewardship
Ian Doley
Project Manager,
Water Risks and Data Insights
Helen McCarthy
Project Manager
Sebastian Rodriguez
Program Manager, Latin America
Jenny Bennett
Director of Operations and Project Manager
Ornella Guzzo
Program Manager, Latin America
Cindy-Ann Hersom
Senior Advisor, Strategy and Communications
Kiersten DeHaven
Africa Water Stewardship Initiative (AWSI) Program Manager and Next Mile Ventures Liaison
Our dedicated and accomplished board of directors brings a wealth of knowledge and networks to enable our mission to advance water security and access for all.
William K. Reilly
Founding Partner
Aqua International Partners
Monica Ellis
Chief Executive Officer
Global Water Challenge
GWC’s core team contributes both specialized expertise and global program management to develop and oversee our growing partnership project portfolio.
Monica Ellis
Chief Executive Officer
Scott Denlinger
Chief Financial Officer
Malick Keita
Senior Water Stewardship Director and Lead,
Africa Water Stewardship Initiative
Mauricio Chavarria
Corporate Engagement Lead, Latin America
Leah Waters
Senior Director, Water Stewardship and Resilience
Joseph Tirpak
Technical Advisor, Corporate Water Replenishment and Stewardship
Ian Doley
Project Manager,
Water Risks and Data Insights
Helen McCarthy
Project Manager
Sebastian Rodriguez
Program Manager, Latin America
Jenny Bennett
Director of Operations and Project Manager
Ornella Guzzo
Program Manager, Latin America
Cindy-Ann Hersom
Senior Advisor, Strategy and Communications
Kiersten DeHaven
Africa Water Stewardship Initiative (AWSI) Program Manager and Next Mile Ventures Liaison
For 20+ years, GWC’s work across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East has addressed some of the world’s most complex and water-scarce environments.
Working with leading corporate and government partners, GWC-led platforms deliver integrated water stewardship programs that improve WASH access, restore watersheds, and promote sustainable agriculture in 17 countries in the region.
FAO sub-basins with improved water security
People reached with WASH programs
Liters of water replenished (2025)
Water utilities with improved capacity
Women empowered
Hectares restored or under improved management
Trees planted
Farmers trained in sustainable agriculture
GWC’s Asia Pacific portfolio addresses water security across South Asia’s most vulnerable regions.
Across Asia, our programs with leading partners, including Gap Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, the United Nations, and other premier brands, support integrated watershed management, water access in schools and communities, agricultural water efficiency, and community and women’s empowerment.
In India and Pakistan, GWC mobilizes positive impact in stressed basins, bringing together local and international partners to build long-term water resilience.
FAO sub-basins with improved water security
People reached with WASH programs
Liters of water replenished (2025)
Water utilities with improved capacity
Women empowered
Hectares restored or under improved management
Trees planted
Farmers trained in sustainable agriculture
For 20+ years, GWC has provided deep and pioneering water stewardship expertise across Latin America and the Caribbean through partnerships with communities, local NGOs, and multinational companies.
Today, GWC’s best practices mobilize water access and improve water security region wide.
With leading partners, including Coca-Cola Latin America and its bottlers, Cargill, and Grundfos, GWC advances integrated watershed restoration, urban utility strengthening, sustainable agriculture, and WASH solutions, targeting the region’s most stressed basins with a goal to benefit 2.3 MM+ people by 2030.
FAO sub-basins with improved water security
People reached with WASH programs
Liters of water replenished (2025)
Water utilities with improved capacity
Women empowered
Hectares restored or under improved management
Trees planted
Farmers trained
in sustainable agriculture
For 20+ years, GWC has advanced water access and security across Africa through pioneering collective action platforms, including the pathbreaking Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) and the Water and Development Alliance (WADA), improving water access and security for thousands of communities and millions of people.
Today, the Africa Water Stewardship Initiative (AWSI) platform, with The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling system, and our Cargill Currents platform tackle Africa’s complex water security challenges across 41 countries through watershed restoration, water access, sustainable agriculture, systems strengthening, and community-led governance.
FAO sub-basins with improved water security
People reached with WASH programs
Liters of water replenished (2025)
Water utilities with improved capacity
Women empowered
Hectares restored or under improved management
Trees planted
Farmers trained in sustainable agriculture
For decades, GWC has actively mobilized solutions for water access, improved water quality and watershed resilience across the United States. GWC partnerships improve “last mile” water access, watershed restoration, nature-based solutions, and utility strengthening.
Our programming with the Kohler Trust for Clean Water supports underserved communities and improves access to water services, while GWC’s women for water platform delivers holistic water programming for women and their communities. Across numerous states, our Cargill Currents platform drives positive outcomes for watershed resilience, wetland restoration, and ecosystem health.
FAO sub-basins with improved water security
People reached with WASH programs
Liters of water replenished (2025)
Water utilities with improved capacity
Hectares restored or under improved management
Trees planted
