Brown and Caldwell, an engineering consulting firm creating and delivering water and environmental solutions throughout North America and the Pacific, is proud to celebrate Earth Day every day by making a positive impact on the environment and communities with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and Water for People (WFP).
“We take clean water and sanitation for granted. We should be more focused on providing these necessities for life, so that all people on earth have this.”
Brown and Caldwell CEO and WFP Board Member Rich D’Amato
Nearly 20% of BC employees consistently donate every year to EWB and WFP through dedicated payroll support, and BC sponsors employee service trips to lead water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
Environmental Engineer Luke Carter (Chicago)
In addition, the firm supports Local Champions across its 60+ offices to create engagement activities that amplify BC’s culture of giving.
In honor of Earth Day, these service trips highlight how BCers are helping to build a better world through sustainable engineering.
Tanzania and Rwanda
Environmental Engineer Luke Carter’s (Chicago) EWB experience began as a freshman at Miami University. As project manager for the school’s chapter, he led design and implementation of water accessibility and distribution projects for five villages in Rwanda, as well as a school sanitation improvement project. Now, Luke mentors his former student chapter while supporting his local Chicagoland Professional Chapter, leading the design of a gravity-fed water distribution system that will supply clean drinking water to over 2,500 in Ndolwa, Tanzania.
“My favorite thing about volunteering with EWB is being around like-minded people who all take time out of their busy lives to pull on the same rope. I always leave meetings, events, or even simple chats feeling more inspired than I entered them. Additionally, I’ll always appreciate having had the chance to travel abroad and see for myself the difference our work makes.”
Guatemala and Kenya
Process Mechanical Engineer Emma Guertin (Raleigh)
Process Mechanical Engineer Emma Guertin (Raleigh) first got involved with EWB as a freshman at UMass Amherst. Her roles included serving as a project lead for the Kenya water supply team and as president of the Research Triangle Professional (RTP) Chapter. Currently, she is a technical mentor for the North Carolina State University Student Chapter and the hydraulics design lead for the RTP project. Her most recent projects are based in Guatemala, including water supply systems in Chipozo and Chiquiguital, as well as mentoring a latrine project in Las Victorias, benefiting a local school.
“As a freshman, I was drawn in by the idea of helping people at the intersection of public health and engineering. … Working with community leaders and members, NGOs, municipals, EWB technical leads, engineers — it is an important skill to make room for everyone and incorporate their ideas.”
Rwanda
As a Water For People board member, CEO Rich D’Amato (Denver) traveled to Rwanda as part of an Impact Exchange Trip to understand how the organization is working at both a local and national level to help solve water and sanitation needs globally. About 15 years ago, a small percentage of the population had access to clean, reliable water. Now, through WFP, the Rwandan government, and other likeminded groups, the country is in the final stages of achieving 100%, fulfilling WFP’s Everyone Forever mandate.
Growing impact
Unlocking the potential of water by building sustainable infrastructure that brings clean, reliable water and sanitation to communities across the world is core to BC’s culture of giving. To learn more, go to https://brownandcaldwell.com/careers/benefits/.
CEO Rich D’Amato (Denver)