Carol Sumkin

Connector, Global soul, Parent

I have devoted my 35-year career to the nonprofit field, primarily focusing upon the health and well-being of the most vulnerable. I specialize in developing and implementing multi-million dollar strategic campaigns that raise diversified resources for nonprofit organizations, including Children’s Health Fund, Montefiore Medical Center and for the past 11 years, Pure Earth. Being the VP of Development for Pure Earth, has been the culmination of my career, as we now can scale up our work to protect a half billion children from lead poisoning made possible by funding through The Audacious Project. I am also the Board Co-Chair of a NYC arts non-profit, Human Connections Arts, which produces art events that build community, trust, acceptance and a more hopeful future.

Stopping lead pollution which impacts 1 billion kids as well as building community and nurturing creativity during these divisive times.

Global lead poisoning is a silent public health crisis impacting 1 billion children, causing 3.5 million cardiovascular deaths every year (more than wars, HIV, TB, and malaria combined), at a cost of $6 billion to the global GDP. Low- and middle-income countries bare more than 90% of the burden, and the sources of exposure are diverse: cookware, spices, paint, cosmetics and informal battery recycling. The good news is that it's completely preventable. Pure Earth has developed an evidence-based model over the past 25 years, and now with catalytic funding from The Audacious Project, we will be able to expand into more than 20 countries and protect over 500 million children.

Story-telling, shadow dancing and ping pong