A Conversation with Scott Harrison, Founder of Charity: Water

Engineering Influence was pleased to be joined by Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of Charity: Water—a non-profit organization that provides drinking water to people in developing nations.  Scott kicked off our Annual Convention on Sunday evening with a fantastic presentation that resonated with our audience of engineers.  The message was simple – in 2022 there is no reason why people still don’t have access to clean water.  That sounds like a problem fit for the mind of an engineer – a critical problem to solve for society.

Harrison began his journey as a former nightclub promoter in New York City.  Leaving that life behind, he became a volunteer on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, West Africa as a photojournalist.

Returning to New York City in 2006, he founded Charity:water and focused his full attention on the global water crisis and the world’s 663 million people without clean water to drink.

Since its inception, Charity:water has funded more than 91,000 water projects in 29 countries benefiting nearly 15 million people.

Scott has been recognized in Fortune magazine’s 40 under 40 list; Forbes magazine Impact 30 list and has also been recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.