Scott Harrison

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit organization focused on providing access to clean water in developing countries. Before entering the nonprofit sector, Harrison spent nearly a decade as a nightclub promoter in New York City, collaborating with brands such as MTV, VH1, and Elle. Seeking a more meaningful path, he volunteered aboard a hospital ship with a humanitarian mission to West Africa, where he witnessed the effects of extreme poverty and the global water crisis firsthand. This experience led Harrison to learn about the millions of people worldwide living without access to clean water.

Upon returning to New York City, Harrison established charity: water, known for its 100 percent donation model, storytelling approach, distinctive branding, and commitment to transparency. The organization has influenced the nonprofit sector by encouraging social entrepreneurship and engaging a global donor base. With support from more than one million donors, charity: water has raised over $850 million and funded nearly 138,000 water projects in 29 countries, aiming to provide clean, safe drinking water to more than 17.5 million people.

Harrison has received recognition in both business and humanitarian fields. He has appeared on Fortune magazine's 40 Under 40, Forbes Impact 30, and Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business. He is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Harrison is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir "Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World," which details his personal transformation and the founding of charity: water. All net proceeds from the sale of "Thirst" support charity: water projects globally.

Harrison has also developed immersive storytelling exhibits, such as the Experience Lab in Franklin, Tennessee, which uses virtual reality, holograms, and interactive videos to educate visitors about the global water crisis and the work of charity: water. The Experience Lab demonstrates new approaches to donor engagement by combining experiential marketing with empathy-driven storytelling. Harrison's career reflects a focus on purpose-driven leadership, nonprofit innovation, and global humanitarian impact.