Austin Founder Lions Club

Build Wells, Change Lives

  • 14 May 2020
  • 12:25 PM - 1:15 PM
  • via Zoom

Build Wells, Change Lives

DATE: May 14, 2020  12:30 pm via Zoom


 Madison Magiera
Introduced by Lion Ann Ward

Water to Thrive transforms lives in rural Africa by working with partners and beneficiaries to bring clean, safe water by connecting communities in need with supporters who have the heart and spirit to make a difference. The nonprofit organization began in 2008 by funding 12 wells in Ethiopia. After a number of projects in Sierra Leone, the work expanded to Uganda and Tanzania. Water projects are located largely in rural, agrarian communities, located centrally to area farms, providing clean, safe water to hundreds of people in a region. In 10 years, the organization funded more than 1,000 water projects in four countries, bringing clean, safe water to more than half a million people. Learn more this week.

About our speakers:

Madison Magiera | Events, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Water to Thrive

Madison studied English and Sociology at Valparaiso University for three years and earned her B.A. in English this past May. She earned a spot in the University’s C.A.P.S. (Calling and Purpose in Society) Fellowship program for the summer after her graduation. During her fellowship, Madison interned at Water to Thrive, traveled to Ethiopia for three weeks, and fell in love with the organization and the people they serve. On her trip, she saw first-hand the need for clean water and decided she would work to bring awareness to the global water crisis. After her fellowship, Water to Thrive offered Madison a full-time position and she relocated to Austin from Indiana. In her new role, she manages email marketing and communications, social media, the Water to Thrive Ambassador program and pursues outreach opportunities. She loves Austin (and all the great food here), traveling, yoga, reading and having a chance to talk about Water to Thrive.

Susanne Wilson | Executive Director, Water to Thrive

Susanne Wilson was hired in May of 2015 as Water to Thrive’s first Executive Director. She has over 20 years in nonprofit executive management. She started her career as a high school social studies teacher. After leaving education, she worked as a consultant on an educational project in southwest Indiana covering 9 counties developing ­a start-up nonprofit. More recently, she was the Executive Director and Chief Institutional Advancement Officer at Henderson Community College which is part of a state-wide system in Kentucky. Prior to moving to Austin, she was a Rotary member serving on the Board of Directors and on their international water committee conducting water projects in El Salvador. She has a BA and MA in education and an MBA from Auburn University. She enjoys travel, reading, dancing, working out, eating (it’s why she works out) and attending wine events and being with her little dog, Sophie. She is passionate about doing work that makes an impact and promoting justice in the world.

How to Attend this meeting via Zoom using your computer:

On your emailed invitation to this meeting, click the link to automatically join the meeting. (If you haven't used Zoom before, it will download and install the necessary software.)
Click the button "Open Zoom Meeting"
Follow the prompts to join the meeting (you do not need a camera to attend)

How to Attend this meeting via Zoom using your smartphone:

If you haven't already, using your smartphone, go to the Apple AppStore or Google Play and download the Zoom app.
On your emailed invitation to this meeting, click the link to automatically join the meeting.
Follow the prompts to join the meeting (you do not need to connect the camera to attend)
If it asks, tap on Call using Internet Audio.


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