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Danny Wright – Executive Director, Founder
In 2011, while traveling through Central America, Danny Wright came up with an idea on how to create an affordable, sustainable, long-lasting, and energy-free way to provide clean and safe access to drinking water; it combined rainwater catchment, storage, and gravity-powered filtration, which could be used in any country that received significant rainfall and had basic access to standard materials. After completing his studies in 2014, he decided to embark on a path less taken and began traveling to gain a better understanding of the Global Water Crisis and people’s relationship with water throughout different cultures. This led him to Nepal, where he turned his concept into reality, creating the Nation’s first energy-independent water filtration and storage system. In turn, Gravity Water was formed, creating the space for passionate individuals to get involved in creating a long-term solution to the Global Water Crisis for thousands of communities in need. Danny Wright has been developing his skill-set and experience in working with developing communities, water health, and non-profit management throughout the last ten years. He initially received his Environmental Studies, B.A., from the University of Santa Barbara, California, where he concentrated on climate change, ecology, and community-based conservation. Following his studies in Santa Barbara, Danny completed his Coastal and Watershed Science and Policy M.Sc. at the California State University, Monterey Bay, where he focused on watershed science, water quality, and international water management, attending supplemental courses at Monterey Institute of International Studies. Danny gained his experience outside the education sector through extensive travel in developing nations, helping develop an environmental education non-profit (SproutUp) in Santa Cruz, and creating and managing the largest and most extensive community-based coastal water quality monitoring program within the U.S., through his work with the non-profit organization, Surfrider Foundation. |
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Duyen (Jane) Nguyen – National Director, Vietnam
Jane was born in the countryside, south of Hanoi, Vietnam. Growing up, Jane worked with her mom on their family farm, growing rice, vegetables, and livestock. As Jane got older, she believed the best way to create a better life for her and her family was to study, where she attended the University of Hanoi and studied Business, English, and Chinese. After her studies, Jane began her work in ecotourism, allowing her to travel around Vietnam, which showed Jane that many places and communities in her country were in great need of help. This inspired Jane to join the Gravity Water team in 2018, serving as the National Director for the country, helping organize projects and maintain communication with all the schools that Gravity Water works with. Jane believes as a Vietnamese woman, she can work hard, support her family, teach children, and inspire all Vietnamese women to know they can make a difference in their country. |
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Samundra Giri – National Director, Nepal
Samundra was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. When the earthquakes of 2015 hit Nepal, Samundra immediately started dedicating his time to building temporary houses and providing food to the earthquake victims in Shindhupalchok, Nepal. Additionally, he worked with local NGO’s helping build schools in the impacted areas of Nuwakot and Shindhupalchok. He’s inspired by work that helps communities and their environment. After meeting Danny in Nepal in 2017, Samundra enthusiastically partnered up with him to help him build the Gravity Water project in multiple locations and proved to be a dedicated, passionate, and very reliable aid. Sharing the vision of Gravity Water, Samundra is inspired to help the Organization develop within his Country, with the goal of providing clean water to thousands of people in need over the coming years |
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Connie Sitanggang – National Director, Indonesia
Growing up in Indonesia and spending time in rural locations of the country, Connie has seen the challenges communities face in regards to clean drinking water access first hand. Driven to improve clean water access for people in Indonesia, especially those in remote locations, pulled Connie to Gravity Water. With the experience of working in an NGO and retail, Connie is adept in finding the balance between community empowerment and program sustainability. In her spare time, she is a passionate entrepreneur and animal lover. |
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Tyler Hubbell – Assistant Director
Tyler is an outdoor enthusiast and avid waterman. He developed his love for fresh water at a young age while backpacking in the alpine Sierras, drinking from high mountain springs and snowmelt. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a double major in marine biology and environmental studies among several extra curriculars. While living in Santa Cruz he founded and directed the regional chapter of Sprout Up, a non-profit dedicated to teaching environmental science and sustainability to elementary school students and also helped found Oceanseed Project, an organization that brings experiential marine based curriculum to incarcerated youth in Santa Cruz County. More recently, he worked as a marine naturalist for Pacific Whale Foundation in Maui. Tyler is excited to focus his time, energy and expertise to Gravity Water’s mission of enhancing access to clean water infrastructure in communities throughout the world. |
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Mark Harrington – Director of Operations, Asia
Mark developed an appreciation for water at an early age, having been raised in and around the ocean surfing in Southern California. Later, travel throughout Central America and Asia gave him first hand exposure to the importance of fresh water resources and sanitation infrastructure. Further, the opportunity to interface directly with local communities inspired his sense of environmental and humanitarian stewardship. He combined this with an interest in technical problem solving to pursue a career building solutions to solve global water challenges. After earning his BS in Chemical Engineering from UCLA, he managed the field operations of a water technology startup based in California. This experience enhanced his appreciation for elegant and simple engineered projects. Mark believes that Gravity Water’s robust and community owned solutions will play an important role in solving global water issues. He is excited to work with Gravity Water and apply his experiences to grow operations and maximize impact in Asia. |
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Kai Johnson – Director of Design & Brand Management
As the marketing and design director for Gravity Water, Kai loves pushing creative boundaries and occasionally right justifying. In her role, she works with the team to develop Gravity Water’s multimedia and brand image, while also assisting in directing marketing approaches. Kai earned her B.S. from Cal Poly, SLO, in Urban Design, with a minor in Sustainable Development. Traveling throughout Nepal and Vietnam, she has witnessed first-hand the impacts of clean water scarcity. Having a young child run up to the team in Nepal to ask for water was a pivotal moment in Kai’s career, leading her to this role where she blends her passion for sustainable development and human rights with her love for design. Based in San Luis Obispo, Ca, when she’s not working in Adobe suite, you’ll find her surfing, traveling, shooting film, and occasionally coding. Kai is excited to utilize her passion and skills in marketing and graphic design to grow Gravity Water’s impact, or in her words, she’s stoked. |
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Brad Martin – Campaigns and Marketing Director
Raised on the beaches of Southern California, Brad has spent the majority of his life in and around the water. His appreciation for the element was fostered at a young age surfing, fishing, hiking in the High Sierras, and exploring the dusty crags of Baja. Brad attended UCSB where he received his B.A in Cultural-Anthropology with honors emphasis for his thesis project on Chumash plank canoes. While attending UCSB Brad was involved in SB Surfrider Foundation as a marketing and media coordinator. Since his graduation in 2014, Brad has taken on strategic marketing and sales roles in cutting edge start-ups, as well as larger corporations. The culmination of his life experiences, education, and personal interests all drive Brads passion to work on Gravity Water’s solution to the global water crisis. Brad happily resides on the south facing shores of Santa Barbara, CA. |
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Emily Bruni – Director of Donor Relations
Emily seeks human connection, adventure, and insight everywhere she goes. She is originally from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and spent several years in Vermont earning her B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish. Emily has worn many hats, from canvassing environmental issues door to door in Vermont to studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina to volunteering as a hostel ambassador in Barcelona, Spain. Her diverse experiences revealed a unifying language that cuts across societal constructs—compassion. Emily had the opportunity to volunteer with a nonprofit installing biowater filters in Trojes, Honduras. This experience reinforced her ideas that kindness and empathy can transcend cultural barriers. It also renewed her sense of how vital it is to know about the quality of local resources and to find sustainable solutions for public health. Emily has now landed in Santa Cruz, CA, where she is thrilled to fit her unique puzzle piece into Gravity Water’s mission, digging down to the roots of human rights and engaging communities in the value of their natural resources. |
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Sam Blakesley – Chapter Director
Born in a drought susceptible area of Southern California, Sam was raised to appreciate the delicate intricacies of earth’s hydrologic cycle as the center of a web of interconnectivity by which all life on earth adheres. From early on, a decision to dedicate his life to the purpose of water was an easy one. Sam graduated as an environmental studies major from UC Santa Cruz with a focus in freshwater and marine ecology, and later received his master’s degree in international environmental policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. To complement his studies, Sam ran and coordinated a water quality monitoring and education program through the local chapter of Surfrider Foundation, and later chaired the chapter. More recently, Sam deepened his experience through a Sea Grant Fellowship at the State of California, where he helped to implement crucial climate change legislation by building the State’s understanding of community level needs and nuances. These experiences have all served to strengthen Sam’s love for clean water and he is honored to have the opportunity to channel that passion towards growing Gravity Water’s chapter programs. |
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Steffi Herrmann - Director of Media and Communications
Steffi is an outdoor and ocean enthusiast, who seeks adventure and cultural experience in everything she does. While having German roots, she has lived in four different countries so far and recently moved to Costa Rica where she pursues her passions for surfing and diving. Steffi completed her Master's Degree in Creative Communication and Brand Management at Pforzheim Business School in 2015, and has since then gained extensive multi-cultural experience working across Europe, South America and Central America. She has both assumed regional marketing positions for multinational companies, as well as volunteered with various NGOs.Dedicating several months to an educational project with young children in impoverished areas of Cape Town, and experiencing first hand the big deficits in basic human rights, lack of safe drinking water and insufficient food supply, enhanced her drive to be the catalyst for change and make a positive impact on the most vulnerable members of society: children. As the Media and Communications Director, Steffi is excited to focus her creativity, energy and expertise on sharing Gravity Water's mission with the world, with the purpose of reaching more and more children in developing nations with safe drinking water that is essential for their future. |
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Ryland King – Treasurer, Board Chair
Ryland is a Forbes top 12 do-good entrepreneur under 25. His work, founding the nonprofit Sprout Up, has been recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative, VH1’s Do Something Awards and Chase American Giving Awards. Since Gravity Water’s inception in 2016, Ryland has assisted in the professional growth, strategic planning, and long-term vision of Gravity Water, helping the Organization provide over 10,000 children with safe drinking water around the world within the first three years of operations. |
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Joanne Hale
Joanne Hale has more than 50 years of experience in international development assistance programs, including more than 30 years of full-time residency in Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific. This has included work for the Peace Corps, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Context Network, and Chemonics. The focus of her work included agriculture, water resource management, health, literacy, business development, education, conflict mitigation, and natural resource management. Currently, Joanne Hale is teaching at Santa Clara University in the Leavey School of Business and serving on the Board of Directors for Context Global Development. |
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Khunapong Khunaraksa
Khunapong Khunaraksa is a Water Leader, Asia Pacific Expert, and International Storyteller. Khunapong is currently leading consultant helping global water startups expand across Southeast Asia. His water journey started over a decade ago when he completed his Master’s Degree in Water Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Australia. Previously, Khunapong was the Southeast Asia Portfolio Manager for Water.org leading the development of Water.org’s first-ever water utility program. Over 150k Cambodians, Indonesians, and Filipinos have been empowered with access to clean water through this program in just two years. Prior to Water.org, Khunapong worked for TEAM GROUP, a Thai engineering and management consulting outfit. He helped to spearhead the company’s successful expansion into Myanmar. His passion for the Asia Pacific region stems from his childhood upbringing in Sydney and Bangkok. Khunapong loves sharing his professional and personal stories on stages around the world. |
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Pallavi Bharadwaj
Pallavi has over 15 years of experience in research, capacity building, organizational development, prospects’ and grants’ research and management, project and program advancement, relationship building, and policy advocacy for mainstreaming environmental, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and sustainability initiatives in urban, peri-urban and rural areas in India, Indian subcontinent and Global South. She has worked with reputed national and international universities, governments, multi and bi-lateral agencies, nonprofit organizations, grant-makers and consultancies worldwide. She is a regular contributor to Engineering for Change’s blog, USAID GlobalWater’s Water Current blog, and actively manages UNICEF HQ’s envirogrants blog (pro-bono) that she create and launched in 2011. |
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David T. Ives
David is a 2016 Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Emmy Award winner, who has spent the majority of his professional career working in the field of leadership, health, and humanitarian aid, including involvement in the Peace Corps, Rotary International, and multiple organizations that focus on the betterment of life for individuals around the world. Currently Mr. Ives serves as the Executive Director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute, Quinnipiac University, which is dedicated to the promotion of the values and ideas of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer on an international basis. After seeing the impact that lack of access to clean water has first hand through his work in Latin America, David is passionate and inspired to help Gravity Water grow its unique approach and impact to clean drinking water around the world. |
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Ulrike Glatz
Ulrike is an Impact Advisor with a mission to drive more sustainable investments and a passion to support entrepreneurs with their impact projects and businesses. She has spent 7 years in India as Director of a Market Entry Consultancy for European SMEs, served several years as Management Consultant in Europe with Accenture and is now fully dedicating her professional life to projects in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She is the Founder of the Global Impact Alliance and advocates for a more conscious economic system at the annual World Economic Forum. As a former competitive swimmer, Ulrike loves water and is excited to support Gravity Water on its global expansion and impact path. |
San Luis Obispo Chapter
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo, California
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Ansley Rushing - Community Engagement Coordinator
Ansley grew up in Georgia and moved to the west coast in 2017. She is currently double majoring in Human Development and Health Entrepreneurship and innovation with a minor in sustainability. She enjoys the outdoors and loves to go kayaking. Being on the water is her favorite place to be and she strives to preserve the environment. While living in Georgia she was a part of the green youth advisory council and pushed for schools to become more aware of the impacts they have on the environment. She realized her love of the environment while participating in the green youth advisory council. She is sociable and energetic and is looking forward to using these skills to engage the community and help spread awareness of Gravity Water's mission. |
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Olivia Irelan - Community Engagement Coordinator
Olivia is a student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo studying Environmental Protection and Management. Since she was a kid, she has loved the outdoors and being able to experience nature through many means, like surfing, rock climbing and camping. This led her to develop an inner desire to be a part of the solutions to environmental issues worldwide. She has been involved in various clubs on her campus focusing on sustainable lifestyles and protecting our natural spaces and oceans. Since growing up in San Diego and spending time at the beach almost every day, she grew a great appreciation for water. She has felt privileged to have water sources she could play in as well as always having clean drinking water. She understands the importance of bringing clean water to communities all around the world, as clean water should be a right, not a privilege. She is excited to start her work with Gravity Water to develop impactful changes with the organization. Once she graduates college, she hopes to join the Peace Corps to use her environmental management skills for communities in need. |
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Sarah Attala - Youth Initiative Coordinator
Sarah Attala is an undergraduate at California Polytechnic State University studying Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Management. She attended San Luis Obispo High School, where she partook in Gravity Water campaigns as an ASB student. Her involvement in these campaigns made her realize how important Gravity Water’s mission is and how many people benefit from what Gravity Water does. After becoming an intern at Gravity Water in college, Sarah has learned even more about sustainability and the level of impact Gravity Water has around the world. As a marketing student, Sarah is able to apply marketing techniques she has learned at Cal Poly in order to better engage schools and emphasize the importance of Gravity Water. Sarah has always loved the outdoors and nature, so being able to develop those passions through Gravity Water has been very beneficial and special to her. |
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Jayde Westphal - Youth Initiative Coordinator
Jayde Westphal is an undergraduate at Cuesta College studying psychology. She worked as a Student Water Ambassador in high school as an ASB student, which encouraged her to pursue continued involvement in Gravity Water through her college years as a Gravity Water Youth Initiative Coordinator. Jayde has a passion to become a global citizen and travel the world. This passion has taken her all around the world during a semester abroad and furthered her learning through sustainable eco-tourism classes in Costa Rica, water sampling in Ghana, and many other eye opening experiences. Her involvement in Gravity Water has made her more knowledgeable about the World Water Crisis and sparked a deeper interest in travel, climate change, and sustainable living. |
Berkeley Chapter
Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
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Shane Russett - Youth Initiative Coordinator
Shane Russett is an undergraduate at UC Berkeley studying Atmospheric Science. He worked as a Student Water Ambassador for Gravity Water as a high school ASB student; after he saw how profound the effects of his work in high school could be across the world, he decided to pursue an internship with Gravity Water in college. As an Atmospheric Science major, the global water crisis is extremely applicable to Shane's studies, and Gravity Water has allowed him to supplement his physics classes with real-world humanitarianism. In addition to his internship with Gravity Water, Shane researches climate change mitigation in UC Berkeley's Silver Lab and is a recipient of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Hollings Scholarship. |
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Emily Bacon - Youth Initiative Coordinator
Emily Bacon is an undergraduate at UC Berkeley studying Cognitive Science, minoring in Chinese and Data Science. Emily found a passion for the global water crisis when living abroad in China during middle school. After seeing first hand the widespread lack of access to basic human necessities in poorer countries, she was inspired to find work to resolve this fundamental issue after graduating from high school. Emily knew Gravity Water was the perfect opportunity to do just that, while also gaining footing in the nonprofit sector and working with the local community to raise money and awareness. Emily is very enthusiastic about sustainability and environmental efforts and is excited for the opportunity to channel her passion into Gravity Water. |
Santa Cruz Chapter
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
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McKenna Jensen - Community Engagement Coordinator
McKenna Jensen is currently an Environmental Studies/Earth and Planetary Sciences major at UCSC. McKenna has always had a passion for the environment and throughout her college career became very interested in water conservation. McKenna believe having access to food, shelter, and water is a basic human right that all should have access to, regardless of socioeconomic class. After participating in a research program that focused on drought tolerance, she became motivated to find an opportunity to combine my passion for water and the accessibility to it. She's feels like Gravity Water has provided her this exact opportunity and is excited to grow her role in the Organization. |
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José Johnson - Youth Initiative Coordinator
Jose Johnson is an undergraduate at UC Santa Cruz in the Environmental Studies program focusing on Global Environmental Justice. José's passion for Environmental Justice began while volunteering in Guatemala and El Salvador where Jose learned about the struggles of local communities and the lack of access to resources such as clean drinking water and sanitation. José’s experience working with an international nonprofit and dedication to Environmental Justice led him to an internship with Gravity Water. José is inspired by Gravity Water’s mission to provide clean drinking water and believes that his internship with Gravity Water will provide him with the tools and skills necessary to make a larger impact in communities around the world. |