Gary White

Connector, Engineer, Idea generator, Parent, Social entrepreneur, World traveler

Gary White is CEO of Water.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people in the developing world to gain access to safe water and sanitation. White and Matt Damon co-founded Water.org in 2009, after merging WaterPartners (co-founded by White in 1990) and H2O Africa (co-founded by Damon). White’s entrepreneurial vision has driven innovations in the way water and sanitation projects are delivered and financed, and these innovations now serve as a model in the sector. White is a leading advisor in the water and sanitation space, counseling organizations such as the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, MasterCard Foundation, PepsiCo Foundation, and Hewlett Foundation on responses to the global water crisis. White is an advisor to the Clinton Global Initiative and a founding board member of the Millennium Water Alliance and Water Advocates. In 2003, he was named a fellow of the British American Project. In 2008, he was inducted into the Philanthropy World Hall of Fame. In March 2009, WaterPartners received the Skoll Foundation’s Award for Social Entrepreneurship and White was inducted into the community of Skoll social entrepreneurs. In October 2009, White received the ONEXONE Difference Award. In 2011 he was named one of the TIME 100's World's Most Influencial People. White’s educational credentials include: M. S., Environmental Engineering with emphasis on water supply and sanitation in developing countries, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M. S., Civil Engineering, MO University of Science & Technology; and B. S., Civil Engineering, Minor in Communications, MO University of Science & Technology.

Catalyzing universal access to safe water and sanitation by unleashing the intrinsic power of the poor as citizens and customers to secure access to these services.

sanitation, Social Entrepreneurship, Water