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board of directors

Shawn Seipler

Board Chair

Shawn founded The WASH Foundation, an evolution of Clean the World Foundation in 2009. Today he is CEO of our partner organization Clean the World Ventures, the first certified benefit corporation (B-Corp) in Florida. He previously was Vice President of Sales & Marketing for an e-commerce technology firm. His frequent travel inspired the concepts that ultimately started Clean the World.

Manohar Shenoy

Executive Director

Manohar is The WASH Foundation's Executive Director where he oversees broader strategy, programs, and operations. He joins the team with over 30 years of leadership and management experience in International Development, having led programs in several countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa and supported programs in the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean. He brings considerable experience in WASH, Public Health, Nutrition, Agriculture, Water, Integrated Adaptive Water Resources Management, Microfinance and Gender, Climate Change Adaptation, Complex Emergencies, Refugees and Urbanization.

Dr. Lakshmi Balaji

Worked with the UN system for over 30 years pursuing national, regional and global results for children sustainably in both humanitarian and country contexts. In recent years, was the go-to person in UNICEF for high level advocacy in fora such as G20, G7, SDG-GAP and high-level global health issues. Passionate about mentoring young talent, mentored and nurtured University talent through the UNICEF internship program in collaboration with several universities and have delivered guest lectures on a regular basis to students of Global Health and Public Policy at eminent Universities in US, UK and India. Global Health Leader and expert on Primary Health Care and Health Systems Strengthening with demonstrated results in global health, maternal and child health and multi-sectoral program outcomes at country, regional and global levels.Co-developed with WHO/GPA for Govt. of India the first-ever HIV/AIDS program for World Bank funding (1991-92); author of several training manuals for youth and school children on HIV/AIDS education; Supported development of training for doctors and health workers, the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood program and developed with the School of Health Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University the one-year Diploma program in Maternal and Child Health program for medical professionals.

michele de bourbon

SVP and General Manager of Gilchrist & Soames

Michele de Bourbon is a highly respected leader with more than 20 years of brand building experience in the global luxury fashion and beauty industries. Currently, Michele is the SVP and General Manager of Gilchrist & Soames, a Guest Worldwide company. and brings proficiency in the areas of marketing, product development, business and brand development strategies, global perspective, and manufacturing. She is a proven entrepreneurial-oriented innovator with a record of developing brands into profitable businesses by leveraging digital, social media, and traditional media. She has built global brand recognition through the facilitation of positive alliances and collaborative teamwork with all key stakeholders.

Catherine Linskey

Director of Community Impact at Hilton

In her role, she leads efforts of Hilton’s corporate foundation, the Hilton Global Foundation. Additionally, Catherine also leads several other community impact programs at Hilton including, Hilton’s disaster relief program, Team Member Assistance Fund, and volunteerism. Catherine joined Hilton in October 2021. Prior to her role at Hilton, Catherine worked for a nonprofit consulting organization, Global Impact, where she advised corporate clients on their grantmaking, disaster relief, and philanthropic programs. Prior to this role, Catherine worked for Tyco and launched their first ever corporate Foundation, the Tyco Cares Foundation. Following Tyco’s merger with Johnson Controls, Catherine was responsible for the merger of the Tyco Cares Foundation with the Johnson Controls Foundation. Catherine has also served on a variety of nonprofit boards both in her career and in her personal life. She is currently the President of The Potomac School’s Alumni Association and recently finished a term serving as secretary on the St. Paul’s Episcopal Preschool Board. Catherine graduated with an B.A. in International Studies from Colby College in Waterville, ME. Catherine also has earned her M.B.A. from The George Washington University School of Business where she specialized in nonprofit management. Additionally, she holds a professional certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from the Institute of CSR, a Johns Hopkins Advanced Academic Program. Catherine lives with her husband, Mike, and golden retriever, Finnley, in Alexandria, VA.

RON REESE

Senior Vice President, Sands

Ron is the Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs for Sands Corp. He drives the overall corporate communications platform and directs corporate affairs initiatives that bring awareness to the company’s business and corporate citizenship achievements.

laura Schwartz

Former Director of White House Events, Clinton Administration

Named one of The 100 Most Influential People in the Global Event Industry by Eventex 2019-2022 and one of the top 7 speakers in the United States, Laura Schwartz has been a Professional Emcee and Keynote Speaker since 2001. Laura began her professional career in 1993 as the youngest female presidential appointee in history serving as the White House Director of Events for the Clinton Administration. After which, in addition to speaking, published her first book "Eat, Drink and Succeed” and currently appears on television as the American contributor on Australia’s #1 Today Show. Laura has been featured by and is a published writer in Fast Company, Elle Magazine, Marie Claire and other periodicals. In 2021, along with her cast from ITV News, was awarded the International Drum Award for Podcast of the Year.

Jeff Seavey

Enterprise Vice President of Facilities Operations, Caesars Entertainment

Jeff has spent 20 years with Caesars Entertainment and 30 years in the industry of Facilities and Engineering. Over the past two decades, Jeff has partnered with numerous groups focused on supporting various communities including rebuilding homes for America’s veterans, creating recreational parks for nursing homes and hospices, and installing educational garden planters for elementary schools. Jeff has partnered with Clean the World both as a local volunteer at their facility and as a corporate representee on an education and distribution trip in Guatemala to see their impact firsthand. Through the Caesars Entertainment HERO program, he is continuing to find ways to support and improve lives for individuals and communities alike.

David Simnick

CEO, Soapbox

David Simnick is the CEO and Co-Founder of Soapbox, a company with a mission to empower consumers to change the world through everyday, quality purchases. Soapbox sells a full range of personal care products each with a mission to provide soap to those in need with every purchase.

Sam Stephens

Chief Executive, AB InBev Foundation

Sam served as Executive Director of The WASH Foundation and our predecessor, Global Soap, for ten years before being tapped in 2021 as the new Chief Executive of the AB InBev Foundation, a global philanthropy devoted to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He is actively involved in UN and WHO initiatives and has spent time in more than 110 countries globally.

Christian Stuart

CEO, BetMakers Technology Group

Christian Stuart is the CEO of BetMakers Technology Group, the World's leading supplier of Racing Data, Analytics, and Trading Solutions. Formerly the Executive Vice President of Gaming and Interactive Entertainment for Caesar’s Entertainment, Christian was recently honored with VEGAS INC’s 40 Under 40 award. Stuart has been recognized as a thought leader in the Las Vegas community.

Linda Theisen

Vice President Americas for Hilton Corporation

Linda joined Hilton Supply Management in July 2018 and prior to this was Vice President for Mattel where she led the transformation of their Indirect Procurement Function. Linda has a long history in the automotive sector, she worked for Ford Motor company, the Global automotive supplier Metaldyne and Fisker Automotive an electric vehicle start up company. Linda was named as one of Automotive News Top 100 Women in Procurement and has tremendous experience in direct procurement as well as corporate categories, including marketing, facilities, logistics, IT, HR and professional services. Linda is originally from Michigan and has lived with her family in London, England, Southern California and most recently the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area. Linda and her husband Bob have three children and hobbies include hiking, indoor cycling and experiencing the wine country (wherever they live). Linda is a graduate of Michigan State University where she obtained her B.S. in Packaging Engineering and her Master’s in Labor and Industrial Relations.