Interview with Evan Slusher (Charity: Water)
Posted: June 15th, 2009 | Author: Cory Levy | Filed under: Interview | CommentsOne billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us. charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects.
Here’s a quick interview I did with Evan Slusher:
When did you become involved with Charity: Water? What made you want to do so?
I have been interested in non-profit work for a long time. I was going into medicine, and after deciding it wasn’t for me I tried many jobs after college. I have a friend who worked with charity: water and was swamped with the upcoming charity ball. I talked to him about visiting and seeing the organization, and he offered me an internship. I accepted and have been here ever since.
How did y’all come up with the idea of Charity: Water?
Our founder, Scott Harrison, was a night club promoter here in NYC. He had a revelation one day about how selfishly he was living his life, and left it. He gave everything away, hopped a mercy ship off the coast of Africa, and started taking pictures. The story hit him hard, and when he came back he used the photos to put on an exhibition, and realized the power of the images. He also realized that one of the largest problems plaguing these nations was a lack of clean water. He used his 32nd birthday to raise money, giving up all the gifts, only asking for a $32 donation. That was the “Born in September” campaign, and the beginning of charity: water.
How often are you out building wells?
I’ve only worked here seven months, and haven’t been in the field yet. All staff members are on at least one trip a year, while Scott and Becky Straw (our water projects manager) are in the field quite a bit more.
Where do you see Charity: Water a year from now? What about five years from now?
Charity: water is growing in leaps and bounds. Even with the tough economy new and exciting things are coming in every day. We have some large plans in the five year scale, but you’re just going to have to wait and see what they are 
Please describe your favorite Charity: Water success story.
There are too many to count. I thought this last years charity ball was a huge success. The biggest success has to be seeing the wells go up in the field, and knowing that what we are doing has a good end result.
What are your top three favorite books?
I have a lot… I’ll just list three good ones I’ve read lately.
“Hippocrates’ Shadows: Secrets from the House of Medicine” – Davidy Newman
“Dead Aid” – Dambisa Moyo
“Backgammon for Blood!” – Bruce Becker (currently reading… The guys in our office have a friendly addiction to backgammon, and I’m trying to get better so I can compete)
Who are some of your mentors today? Do you have a favorite entrepreneur?
My mentors continue to be some of my teachers, family, and friends I’ve grown up with for years. I value their opinions more then anyone. As far as entrepreneurs go, I have to say I’m impressed with the people who have started charities, like the ones we work with, out of nothing more then a story. I know how hard it is to turn a small grassroots organization into a much bigger movement, and the people that pull it off are amazing.
What is Evan Slusher’s definition of success?
Rolex…. Just kidding…. Just being happy with your life. It doesn’t matter what you do, where or how you do it. If you go home at the end of the day and you’re happy, then that’s the key.
