Water For People has announced the individuals who 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 three, six 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. 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," says 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: Paul Bowen, water technology director and director of strategic business initiatives, The Coca-Cola Co.; 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 Co.; 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,” says 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.”

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.

More information is available on the Water For People Web site at www.waterforpeople.org.