Visit over 350 projects in over 45 developing countries, including water, renewable energy, sanitation, and more, all accomplished in partnership with local communities and non-governmental organizations, (NGOs).  Find out what sustainability means.  Understand Engineers without Borders-USA’s win-win philosophy and results.  How do they do so much with so little?

Hear Catherine (Cathy) A. Leslie, P.E., their Executive Director, Jenny Starkey, their Public Relations and Events Manager, and Kavita Rodgers, an Intern, speak about their mission, supporting community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders.

With the community’s input, EWB-USA designs and implements low-cost, small-scale, replicable and sustainable engineering solutions to problems identified by the community.  This includes water, sanitation, and renewable energy.  EWB-USA members train local community members and local non-governmental organizations, (NGO’s), to successfully monitor and maintain the projects.  A true partnership.

Our Guests:

Catherine (Cathy) A. Leslie, P.E., Executive Director, Engineers without Borders-USA, www.ewb-usa.org.

Serving as the Executive Director of EWB-USA since 2004, Cathy A. Leslie is responsible for the consistent achievement of our mission, i.e., supporting community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders.  This includes overseeing the operations and finances of the organization.  With both dedication and vision, Cathy develops and administers the diverse programs of EWB-USA.  With a passionate and dedicated Board of Directors, staff team, and membership base, Cathy is leading EWB-USA to the next level of organizational achievement.

Cathy began her work in developing countries as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Nepal, where she developed and implemented solutions that addressed drinking water and sanitation issues facing the community.  In addition to her work in the international sustainable development field, Cathy has over 20 years experience overseeing both domestic and international corporate engineering projects.  As the Executive Director of EWB-USA, Cathy bridges her skills and experience as a Professional Engineer with her commitment to the creation of sustainable and participatory solutions to rural community development projects.

Ms. Leslie belongs to the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Water Environment Federation.  She is a member of the Presidential Council of Alumnae for Michigan Technological University, where she holds her degree in civil engineering

To contact Engineers without Borders-USA, click on http://www.ewb-usa.org.

Jenny Starkey, Public Relations and Events Manager, Engineers without Borders-USA, www.ewb-usa.org.

Jenny is responsible for EWB-USA’s media relations, marketing, public relations, branding and communications.  As the editor of the monthly member e-blast and semi-annual Cornerstone newsletter, she also oversees the annual EWB-USA International Conference.  Jenny has worked in both the private and nonprofit sectors, including the academic world, as a communications professional.  She holds an M.A. in Public Relations and International Communication, from The University of Denver and a B.S. in Speech Communication, from Northern Arizona University.

To contact Engineers without Borders-USA, click on http://www.ewb-usa.org

Kavita Rodgers, Intern at Engineers without Borders-USA, www.ewb-usa.org.

Kavita Rodgers, a senior in Economics at Iowa State University, (ISU), has been involved with Engineers without Borders-USA for the past three years, as a member of EWB-USA ISU and as an intern at The EWB-USA headquarters in Boulder, CO.

As an international student, Kavita has a lot of experience living and studying abroad.  She began her work in international development with EWB-USA ISU, when she travelled to Belize with the chapter to assess the needs of a local community.  Since then she has worked on design and implementation of a Solar Fruit Dehydrator project for the community’s primary school.  Although she was unable to travel with the team to evaluate the success of the project, she hopes to continue working in the field of international development after completing her Master’s degree in International Development and Communications.

To contact Engineers without Borders-USA, click on www.ewb-usa.org.