Rich Thorsten joined Water.org in 2007 to oversee the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning aspects of Water.org’s water and sanitation initiatives. As Chief Program Officer, Rich has built, developed, and managed teams across multiple geographies; inspiring and driving results. Rich has overseen Water.org’s evolution and growth as a global organization which catalyzes financing to solve the global water and sanitation crisis. Under Rich’s leadership, Water.org has transformed over fifteen million lives and set an ambitious path to help millions more define their own future and move from poverty to opportunity in the next few years.
Rich has acquired twenty-five years of experience in non-profit operations, environmental and international development finance and management, advocacy, research, and evaluation. Prior to his current role at Water.org, he spent several years in program and executive positions at resource conservation organizations in the United States and served as a board member for non-profit groups specializing in international development. Rich has worked in advocacy, technical advisory, and research roles with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with several state and local government agencies. He has also collaborated with the World Bank in evaluating the sustainability of rural water systems in Peru and Ghana and researched public-private water and sanitation partnerships in multiple countries.
Rich holds a bachelor degree with a concentration in economics, and master’s and doctorate degrees in international planning.