Who's who

WaterAid America's Board

Chair: Gregory Hodkinson is a Group Board Director and Chairman of the Americas Region of Arup, a leading global engineering and consulting firm responsible for some of the world's most innovative building, transport and civil engineering projects. By profession a Transport Planner, Gregory has 35 years' experience planning, designing and managing transport and infrastructure projects, with particular experience in the aviation industry, and has worked on projects throughout the world.

His appointment extends Arup's ongoing firmwide commitment to WaterAid. With the establishment of the Arup Cause in 2006, Arup embarked on a global initiative that pledged the energy, expertise and resources of the firm's 9,000 staff to WaterAid's mission. Through this partnership, Arup has supported pilot projects in Zambia, Bangladesh and Madagascar and sought overall to provide lasting value to WaterAid through the creativity and knowledge of its members.

Myles Druckman, MD became a WaterAid America Board member in 2007. He is vice president of Medical Assistance for International SOS, a provider of medical assistance, international health care, security services, and outsourced customer care. He manages medical services for all Americas-based multinational clients globally, develops and manages international medical programs, and oversees the management of emergency evacuation services and medical assistance worldwide.  

Previously, Dr. Druckman was regional medical director for International SOS in North Asia. Based in Beijing, China for five years, he developed and managed four SOS International Clinics, three SOS Alarm Centers and 26 remote site operations. Prior to joining International SOS, he spent five years in Moscow, where he founded the first western medical facilities in the former Soviet Union, in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev. After earning his medical degree, he worked as a physician in private practice at two Canadian clinics, in Toronto and Mississauga.

Rachel Brydon Jannetta became a WaterAid America Board member in 2003. Rachel Brydon Jannetta is President and CEO of  Test America-STL, the largest environmental testing business in the world, with 46 laboratories and 2700 staff across the USA. A fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, Rachel qualified as an accountant in 1984 with Gerber Landa and Gee, a Scottish firm of chartered accountants based in Glasgow. She then spent eight years in retail management before joining Severn Trent in 1993 as Managing Director of the UK laboratories business, Severn Trent Laboratories Ltd. 

After building STL's US testing business to the position of market leader, Rachel joined the Board of Directors of Severn Trent Plc in September 2004. On December 29, 2006 STL's US business was sold to HIG Capital, a private equity firm based in Miami, Florida. HIG already owned TestAmerica, the second largest player in the industry and Ms Brydon Jannetta was asked to lead the merger for the combined testing business.  Rachel is based near Philadelphia but travels extensively to visit TestAmerica-STL locations and clients.

Roberto Lenton became a WaterAid America Board member in 2007. He is a senior advisor at the Earth Institute at Columbia University. From 1995 to 2000, he was director of UNDP’s Sustainable Energy and Environment Division in New York, during which time he was UNDP’s lead person in helping to launch the Global Water Partnership, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Poverty and Environment Programme. He also served as director general of the International Water Management Institute in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1994. Earlier, he was program officer in the Rural Poverty and Resources program with the Ford Foundation in New Delhi and New York, and an assistant professor at MIT.

A citizen of Argentina with degrees from the University of Buenos Aires and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr Lenton is a co-author of Applied Water Resources Systems, and of Health, Dignity and Development: What will it take? the final report of the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Water and Sanitation, which he co-chaired. Following the release of this report in 2005, he was appointed chair of the Geneva-based Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council. Since 2003, he has served as chair of the Technical Committee of the Global Water Partnership.

Jeremy Pelczer was elected Chair of WaterAid's Board in the United Kingdom in October 2007 and has served on the Board of WaterAid America since early 2008. Jeremy has worked in the water industry since 1996, following a career in finance and accounting.  He became President of American Water in September 2003 and served as CEO & President of American Water from February 2004 until December 2005. He was the Chief Executive of Thames Water from November 2005 until its sale was completed in December 2006.  He is a keen cricket player, being a member of both the Marylebone Cricket Club and the Somerset Cricket Club.

Rosemarie Ryan became a WaterAid America Board member in 2008.  Since joining JWT in 2003 as President of its NY headquarters, Rosemarie's strategic acumen and critical thinking have helped launch, position, and reposition numerous leading brands.  Under her leadership, JWT NY has risen to the number one ranking agency in the JWT global network.  Prior to joining JWT, Rosemarie spent eight years as President of the award-winning agency kirshenbaum bond + partners.  Rosemarie began her advertising career at BBDO London and Chiat Day. 

Ellen E. West became a WaterAid America Board member in 2003. She is the director of global communications and public affairs at Google Inc. As a senior consultant at The Corporate Citizenship Company, she advised major multinationals on corporate social responsibility, including ethical, human rights and environmental issues. Prior to this she set up services to assist Charities Aid Foundation's corporate clients running global corporate community involvement programs. Ellen has also directed United Way International's efforts to promote the development of the non-profit sector in the former Soviet Union and managed a department at the Aids Action Committee helping over 2500 clients with AIDS or HIV cope with the financial and legal implications of their illness.

WaterAid America’s President and CEO

Patricia Dandonoli was appointed President and CEO of WaterAid America in February 2006.  Ms. Dandonoli has worked for mission-driven organizations and philanthropies for over 25 years, in senior management and consulting capacities.  Prior to joining WaterAid America, Dandonoli was Director of Resource Development in the Office of Her Majesty Queen Rania al-Abdullah, where she led planning and fundraising efforts to establish the American University of Jordan.

Previously, Ms. Dandonoli was Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Sundance Institute and, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, she held positions of Executive Director of Institutional Planning and Media Productions and Vice President for Development, Institutional Giving. Ms. Dandonoli has also served as a consultant to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in strategic financial and program planning, capital campaign planning, and resource development.