Steve Werner

Steve Werner "served until recently as Executive Director for Water For People, an international nonprofit organization based in Denver, Colorado, whose mission is to assist people in developing nations gain access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. Water For People was started by the American Water Works Association in 1991 and is the charity of choice for the North American water industry. As Executive Director, Werner led an organization that conducts programs in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

"Werner also has worked for three of the largest and most successful nonprofit organizations in the United States. He rose rapidly to senior management positions with the American Cancer Society, CARE, and Habitat for Humanity International. He is knowledgeable in all aspects of nonprofit management, administration and fundraising.

"Previous to working for Water For People, Werner consulted for national and international organizations in the areas of fund raising, and marketing. He also has expertise in the areas of board development and training, planning, advocacy, staff leadership training, and management systems. He developed a team of consultants with strategic planning, major gift fund raising, marketing, and board development expertise and he has served local, national and international clients.

"As Senior Vice President of Programs for Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) in Americus, Georgia, Werner was responsible for all house building, volunteer support, and ancillary programs that were carried out by 1,400 affiliate organizations in the U.S. and in 56 countries around the world. Before HFHI, Werner was Regional Director for CARE, the international relief and development organization. He was based in Denver, Colorado, where he supervised the major gifts and public relations program for 10 states in the Midwest, Southwest, and Rocky Mountain regions.

"Prior to CARE, Werner served as Area Director of the American Cancer Society (ACS) in San Antonio, Texas. He managed more than 30 staff, who in turn managed a volunteer- based program which annually served over 2,000 cancer patients, educated over 500,000 people about cancer risks and prevention, and raised $2 million for cancer research and cancer control programs.

"Werner is a Fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan, and of the Salzburg Seminar in Salzburg, Austria. He is a past chairman of the National Peace Corps Association, the Peace Corps alumni organization. He has also served in leadership positions locally with Rotary clubs, international festival organizations, and other community associations.

"He and his wife Patti served together as Peace Corps volunteers in South Korea. They have three grown children in the Denver area. "

• Director, Water Advocates
• Director, Coalition for American Leadership Abroad