Podcast Summary: Transforming Lives Through Water Equity with Shilpa Alva

Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell
Episode Release Date: February 12, 2025
Guest: Shilpa Alva, Founder of Surge for Water

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Nonprofit Nation, host Julia Campbell engages with Shilpa Alva, the visionary founder of Surge for Water. Shilpa shares her transformative journey from the corporate world to leading a global nonprofit dedicated to water equity. Together, they delve into the complexities of water access, effective storytelling, brand evolution, and leadership challenges in the nonprofit sector.

Shilpa's Journey: From Engineering to Nonprofit Leadership

Shilpa Alva’s transition from an engineering and corporate consulting background to founding Surge for Water is both inspiring and insightful. Born and raised in Dubai with Indian heritage, Shilpa’s early exposure to poverty in Mumbai ignited her passion for social justice.

“My journey started actually as a very young child... I moved into management consulting and started to really figure myself out... But that young seven-year-old child in me kept sort of knocking on the door, saying that this was not my purpose.”
[03:03]

Despite a successful trajectory in the corporate sector, Shilpa felt a persistent calling to leverage her skills for greater social impact, ultimately leading her to establish Surge for Water.

Understanding Water Equity: Misconceptions and Realities

Water equity remains a pressing global issue, yet it is often misunderstood by the general public. Shilpa highlights the challenges in conveying the magnitude of the crisis to donors who may take water access for granted.

“Most of our donor base are in situations where water is not an issue in their lives... it's a very hard thing to grasp that there's just billions of people right now who don't have water in their homes.”
[06:38]

Julia Campbell echoes this sentiment, sharing her firsthand experience in Senegal, where the absence of running water profoundly affected her perception.

Empowering Through Storytelling: Engaging Donors Effectively

Effective storytelling is crucial for nonprofits to connect with donors. Shilpa emphasizes the importance of telling authentic, respectful stories that center the voices of the communities served.

“Our storytelling part is more on the communities and how do we capture those stories in a way that communicates the need, but does so in the most ethical way.”
[08:50]

She discusses the ongoing efforts to refine their narrative, ensuring it remains donor-centric while honoring the dignity and agency of the program participants.

The Brand Refresh: Evolving for Greater Impact

Surge for Water is currently undergoing a comprehensive brand refresh to better articulate its mission and impact. Shilpa explains the motivations behind this initiative, driven by a need for clearer communication and alignment with their evolving strategies.

“We need to get to that place where I'm really proud of like taking that effort to ensure that our visual identity, our language, everything truly represents how we work.”
[13:05]

This refresh aims to streamline their messaging, making it more accessible and compelling for potential donors and partners.

Innovative, Woman-Centered Solutions at Surge for Water

Surge for Water employs a holistic, community-led approach to address water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health. Shilpa outlines their phased strategy designed to create sustainable impact:

1. Infrastructure: Providing essential physical resources like wells and toilets.
2. Education: Implementing hygiene and menstrual health education to challenge societal norms.
3. Market-Based Enterprises and Leadership Programs: Empowering women through business opportunities and leadership training.

“We have this three-phased approach... ensuring that our partners are self-sustainable and also creating enterprises for women.”
[15:10]

This comprehensive model ensures that solutions are not just temporary fixes but foundational changes fostering long-term community resilience.

Overcoming Leadership Challenges in Global Nonprofits

Leading a global nonprofit comes with unique challenges, particularly in navigating patriarchal and culturally diverse environments. Shilpa shares personal anecdotes of overcoming gender biases and building trust within communities.

“I was pointed out as a woman, they were surprised about the partner... But now, because we've built trust and uplifted so many women, I don't feel it anymore.”
[22:07]

Her approach involves respecting existing social structures while advocating for the inclusion and empowerment of women, ensuring that leadership remains inclusive and effective.

Strategic Vision: Surge's 2030 Plan for Water Equity

Surge for Water's 2030 Impact Plan aims to expand their reach to one million people across ten districts in three countries: Indonesia, Haiti, and Uganda. This ambitious plan focuses on delivering holistic solutions tailored to each region’s specific needs.

“We talked to all of our local partners... it ended up going from the four districts that we're in, which is serving about 300,000 people, to about 10 districts serving a million people.”
[27:14]

By collaborating with local governments and partners, Surge for Water ensures that their initiatives are sustainable and deeply integrated into the communities they serve.

Advice for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs

Shilpa offers invaluable advice for those looking to start their own nonprofits:

1. Listen and Learn: Understand the historical and cultural contexts of the communities you aim to serve.

   “I'm still learning... being really humble about what you don't know will take you so far.”
   [30:00]

2. Build Your Tribe: Surround yourself with a dedicated team and supportive network that can help navigate challenges and scale your impact.

   “Find the people who trust you, who have your back... find your tribe.”
   [30:00]

These principles have been instrumental in Surge for Water’s success and sustainability.

Supporting Surge for Water

Listeners interested in supporting Surge for Water can connect through their website and social media channels. Shilpa encourages staying tuned for their upcoming brand refresh, which will better reflect their mission and impact.

“Our website is searchforwater.org... watch that space because if you look at it right now, you'll see that old website. If you look at it in three months, you'll see your new website.”
[33:22]

Conclusion

Julia Campbell concludes the episode by expressing gratitude for Shilpa’s insights and contributions. She encourages listeners to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help amplify impactful stories like Surge for Water’s mission to achieve water equity.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Passion Drives Purpose: Shilpa’s journey underscores the importance of aligning personal experiences and values with professional endeavors.
• Holistic and Community-Led Approaches: Addressing water equity requires multifaceted strategies that encompass infrastructure, education, and economic empowerment.
• Effective Storytelling and Branding: Clear, respectful narratives and evolving brand identities are essential for engaging and sustaining donor support.
• Leadership and Cultural Sensitivity: Navigating diverse cultural landscapes with humility and respect fosters trust and effective collaboration.
• Strategic Planning for Growth: A well-defined vision, such as Surge for Water’s 2030 plan, guides organizations toward scalable and sustainable impact.

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the challenges and triumphs in leading a global nonprofit focused on water equity, providing actionable insights for nonprofit professionals and aspiring social entrepreneurs alike.