Teams

DIRECTOR

Nick is the founder and Executive Director of Water Witness International- an organisation of 28 staff based across Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi and the UK.

He has worked for sustainable water management and social justice for 30 years as a scientist, government regulator, consultant, practitioner, and NGO leader. He advises governments, multi-national corporations, and International Finance Institutions on water security and is co-founder of the Alliance for Water Stewardship, whose standard is now used by Apple, Unilever, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Diageo and others to guide and recognise corporate best practice on water. Nick is an active Research Fellow with the University of East Anglia, and the University of Glasgow. He is also the author of the Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprints.

nickhepworth@waterwitness.org

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Dorcas, our Deputy Director, brings a broad range of experience across international development, programme management and organisational leadership to the team. With a background in natural resource management, she has worked for many years leading teams and successful development programmes around the world.

Dorcas leads programme and operational delivery across Water Witness, working with our teams across Scotland, Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania.

dorcaspratt@waterwitness.org

DIRECTOR OF CAMPAIGNS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Lexi leads the campaigns and communications strategy for Water Witness, mobilising public and political action on the global water crisis.

She has 20 years’ experience leading public engagement and advocacy campaigns for NGOs including WWF, SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) and SCIAF (Caritas Scotland) on climate change, tax justice, gender, and health inequalities.

Lexi has a masters in Gender, Rights and Development from the University of Glasgow, and has previously served on the boards of the Scottish International Development Alliance and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.

lexiparfitt@waterwitness.org

BUSINESS MANAGER

Helen leads the financial and administrative operations and people- related management for Water Witness International.

With over two decades of experience in the Scottish third sector, Helen moved from Yorkshire to Scotland in 1999 and has previously worked for national charities including Age Scotland and The Donaldson Trust. Passionate about helping out locally, she volunteers in her community and is a Trustee and treasurer on the board of The Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Association. Helen also sits on the board of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.

helengreene@waterwitness.org

BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICER

Jody works closely with Helen supporting the financial and administrative operations for Water Witness International.

He has worked in project management and business support roles in Scotland’s charity sector for over a decade, with organisations such as ACOSVO, Scotland’s Third Sector Governance Forum, Positive Realities and the Scottish Youth Parliament.

In his free time, you can probably find Jody at a local cinema or theatre, strumming away at a guitar, or playing Dungeons and Dragons.

jodyrae@waterwitness.org

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (SOCIAL, DIGITAL AND CONTENT)

Paz leads on developing social media and communications strategies, telling the stories of our work, boosting engagement, and supporting advocacy.

With 7+ years of experience and a background in Communications and Media (BA) and Film Directing (MA), she brings a strong understanding of storytelling and creative content development.

Her work spans Climate Change, Gender, Identity, and Human Rights initiatives. Paz has collaborated with IDB Lab, CARE International, and UN agencies like UNDP and UNICEF.

mariapazgonzales@waterwitness.org

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME OFFICER

Gina supports the Fair Water Footprints programme which aims to help companies, governments and financial institutions to deliver fair water usage in their supply chains.

She has worked on climate justice policy, including loss & damage and climate finance with the Scottish Government and international think tanks. Prior to that she supported the delivery of Scotland's Climate Assembly. Gina is on the boards for Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle and the Community Sponsorship Alliance.

ginabelk@waterwitness.org

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME OFFICER

Jessica supports a range of Water Witness programmes including BASIN and Climate Just Communities.

Jessica has a range of experience working in international development and public health, with a particular focus on the inclusion of rural and marginalised communities in global health initiatives. Her recent career has focused on global drowning prevention, during which she worked for the RNLI and the WHO to conduct research and design guidance for the prevention of drowning in low-resource settings across the world.

jessicaleech@waterwitness.org

PROGRAMME MANAGER- FAIR WATER FOOTPRINTS

Rianna leads the Fair Water Footprints Programme for sustainable water use in global supply chains- part of the Just Transitions for Water Security programme.

She has over 15 years of experience spanning government, private sector, civil society, and intergovernmental organisations. Rianna specialises in water resources management, climate change adaptation and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Rianna has worked and collaborated with organisations including GWP, SIWI, IWA, UNESCO, and WMO, to address water governance challenges. She is committed to delivering impactful change in global water sustainability.

riannagonzales@waterwitness.org

RESEARCHER

Ismail leads research on assessing the sustainability of the Global North's water footprint in Morocco's fresh produce exports, contributing to Water Witness’s efforts to promote sustainable and equitable water use. 

With over 7 years of experience in integrated water resources management and climate change adaptation, Ismail has led large-scale projects in rural development, water management, and infrastructure planning across government and international organizations. 

Ismail has collaborated with organizations including the Green Climate Fund, IFAD, and ICID, supporting water governance, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. He is dedicated to advancing sustainable water management in agriculture.

ismailelhassnaoui@waterwitness.org

RESEARCHER

David is a researcher for the Fair Water Footprints Programme, examining the Global North's water footprint on the Global South.

With an academic background in agricultural and environmental science, as well as advanced studies in land and water resource management, David is dedicated to driving sustainable development. His recent work has focused on the intersection of environmental and social justice, collaborating on research projects with institutions such as the Universidad de Chile (CL), the University of Valencia (ES), the University of Bolzano (IT), and Wageningen University & Research (NL).

When not immersed in research, you can find David shepherding in the Swiss Alps. 

davidheiss@waterwitness.org

RESEARCHER

Justina’s research focus is on Zambia, leading on investigating the social and environmental implications of unsustainable water footprints within Zambia’s trade supply chains.  

Justina is an interdisciplinary researcher specializing in water security and sanitation access. She has a background Environmental Engineering and holds a MSc in Sanitation, and Water Science, Policy and Management. Her work focuses on the integration of these disciplines to improve water security, WASH access and sustainability, and environmental justice in peri-urban and rural contexts.

Her favourite pastimes are listening to podcasts and enjoys the occasional nature walk.

justinamuchelenje@waterwitness.org

REGIONAL PROGRAMME MANAGER

Esayas leads Water Witness programmes in Ethiopia, and Fairwater Footprint engagements across Africa.

He has over 15 years’ experience in high-level operations and management of environmental, WASH, and water resources programs. He has led the implementation of over 14 multi-stakeholder projects financed by international NGOs and governments.

esayassamuel@waterwitness.org

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

Brikti is the finance and administration officer for Water Witness in Ethiopia. She spent over two years working as a finance professional in WASH programs. Brikti is currently an ACCA candidate working on getting her accounting certification.

briktimesfin@waterwitness.org

NATIONAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR

Hanan has over 10 years of professional experience in development institutions with initiatives related to water resource management, climate change, WASH, land use planning and institutional capacity building.

Hanan holds an Msc. In Environmental Science and Bachelor’s in Biology. Prior to joining WWI, she has worked with Stockholm International atWer Institute, Abt. Associates, The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Center Network.

Hanan leads Accountability for Water programme in Ethiopia.

hananseid@waterwitness.org