Amazon's Sustainability Chief to Chair Water.org in Strategic Move

KANSAS CITY, MO – January 09, 2026 – Water.org, the global nonprofit co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, has elected Kara Hurst, Amazon's Chief Sustainability Officer, as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. The appointment signals a strategic move to infuse high-level corporate expertise in scaling complex systems into the organization's mission to end the global water crisis.

Hurst, who has been at the helm of Amazon's worldwide sustainability and social responsibility initiatives since 2014, will now guide the strategic direction of an organization that has already brought safe water and sanitation to more than 85 million people. Her election comes as Water.org seeks to expand its innovative, market-based financial solutions to reach millions more.

"Kara understands what it takes to move complex systems toward long-term change," said Gary White, CEO and co-founder of Water.org. "Her experience scaling solutions and integrating sustainability into core business strategy will strengthen the board's role as Water.org continues to grow in scale and impact, removing financial and structural barriers to safe water and sanitation for families around the world."

A New Era of Leadership

Kara Hurst brings a formidable track record from one of the world's largest and most complex corporations. At Amazon, she has been a central figure in shaping and executing some of the most ambitious corporate sustainability goals to date. She was instrumental in the creation of The Climate Pledge, a commitment co-founded by Amazon to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement. This initiative has since grown to include over 500 signatory companies.

Under her leadership, Amazon became the world's largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy, on track to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. Her influence extends to logistics, where she has overseen the deployment of tens of thousands of electric delivery vehicles, and to packaging, where her teams have driven significant reductions in plastic waste. Described as a "builder, not a bystander," Hurst is known for a data-driven, systems-thinking approach to problem-solving, a style honed through a diverse career that includes leading The Sustainability Consortium and co-founding the Responsible Business Alliance.

This background in making systemic change within a massive commercial enterprise is precisely what Water.org leaders believe is needed for its next phase of growth. The challenge of the global water crisis—affecting billions of people—is a problem of immense scale, requiring solutions that can be replicated efficiently and sustainably across 15 countries and beyond.

Scaling Market-Driven Solutions

Water.org has long distinguished itself from traditional charities by pioneering market-driven solutions rather than relying on direct aid. The organization's core philosophy is that people in poverty are not waiting for a handout, but for an opportunity to access the resources to help themselves. Its flagship "WaterCredit" initiative embodies this principle.

Instead of building wells or providing toilets directly, Water.org works with local financial institutions to develop and offer small, affordable loans for water and sanitation. These microloans empower families to purchase their own water tap or construct a toilet, solutions they choose and own. With a remarkable 99% repayment rate, the capital is then recycled to help more families, creating a sustainable and ever-expanding cycle of impact. According to the organization, every dollar donated helps unlock an estimated $20 in capital for these solutions.

To date, this model has mobilized capital for 14.5 million loans, reaching 62 million people. By focusing on financial inclusion, the nonprofit addresses the root barrier that prevents families from accessing safe water: the lack of affordable financing. Hurst's experience at Amazon, particularly in aligning capital with impact and navigating trade-offs across diverse markets, is seen as a direct and powerful asset in expanding this proven model.

The Synergy of Scale and Sustainability

The partnership between a top Amazon executive and a leading water nonprofit creates powerful synergies but also invites scrutiny. The most obvious synergy lies in scale. Hurst's daily work involves making sustainability efforts viable across Amazon's vast global footprint, a skill set directly transferable to Water.org's ambition to reach 200 million people by 2030. Amazon is already a significant partner, having committed $10 million to help Water.org provide water access to 1 million people.

Furthermore, Amazon's own corporate water stewardship goals align with Water.org's mission. Under Hurst, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has committed to being "water positive" by 2030, meaning it will return more water to communities than it uses in its direct operations. This shared focus on water issues provides a strong foundation for collaboration.

However, the association is not without its complexities. Amazon, despite its sustainability efforts, faces criticism for its growing environmental footprint. The company's absolute carbon emissions have continued to rise with its business growth, and its massive data centers are significant consumers of water for cooling. This presents a potential perception challenge for Hurst, who will advocate for global water access while representing a corporation with a substantial water footprint of its own. Navigating this dynamic will require transparent governance to ensure that Water.org's humanitarian mission remains independent and paramount.

A Solvable Crisis

Central to the new appointment is a shared, optimistic vision. "I fundamentally believe the global water crisis is solvable, and that progress depends on directing capital in ways that meet people where they are," Hurst stated. Her belief echoes the core ethos of Water.org, which has spent over 30 years proving that financial empowerment is a key to unlocking lasting change.

This vision is backed by a foundation of operational and financial excellence. Water.org consistently earns top marks from charity evaluators, holding a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. This demonstrates a high degree of accountability and efficiency, ensuring that donor funds and strategic efforts are effectively translated into impact.

As Board Chair, Hurst will work closely with Water.org's leadership to guide strategic planning and oversee key decisions. Her role will be to ensure the board operates with the accountability and focus required to scale its solutions and accelerate progress toward a world where everyone has access to the essential resources they need to survive and thrive.