The ClearWater Initiative is run by generous unpaid volunteers. For more information about our work, please contact our volunteer staff:

Rafael E. González (Designer) was born in Valencia, Venezuela, and moved to Atlanta over 20 years ago to attend art school.  A long-term Candler Park resident, Rafael is the co-chair of the Latino Parent Association at Paideia School, where his daughter attends high school. Rafael is the creative director for CNN en Español and its ancillary services. 

Laura Sklaver (General Counsel and Board Member), an attorney, concentrates her practice in multifamily, affordable and supportive housing.  She represents non-profit and for-profit owners working with federal, state and local housing agencies, as well as private equity lenders and banks.  Laura has counseled non-profit housing organizations in incorporation, IRS qualification, project development, grants and loans, and all aspects of ongoing operations.

Jake Herrle (Creative Advisor and Board Member) is a well-traveled and award-winning staff photographer for CNN. He lives in a drafty shotgun home in the historic Cabbagetown neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. In the fall of 2007, Jake spent 3 weeks as an embedded photojournalist with the U.S. Army and several NGO’s in Northern Uganda. It was then he realized the Horn of Africa’s urgent need for clean water, and how tragically the lack thereof can affect mass populations.

Alyssa Sperber (Marketing Director and Board Member) is the Vice President, Client Management for NMA Entertainment & Marketing, a full service marketing agency representing corporate and entertainment clients across all categories.  Alyssa is responsible for developing marketing and promotion strategies that influence, engage and motivate audiences.  Alyssa is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, and is proud to be involved with the branding and marketing of ClearWater Initiative.

David S. Abraham (Strategy and Advocacy Advisor) is a geopolitical and economic risk analyst.  He worked in the Sovereign Risk Division at Lehman Brothers and at the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he oversaw foreign assistance accounts.  David was a Peace Corps Volunteer, and also worked with a German management consulting company and with a UN program in Indonesia.  He has traveled...a lot.

Ben Sklaver (Director and Board Member) is the founder of ClearWater Initiative. Ben grew up in Connecticut, has worked in the field of humanitarian relief since 2003, and is a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. From 2006 - 2007, Ben served under the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa with a mission to mentor Ugandan military units. While deployed, he was struck by the high rates of child mortality linked to dirty drinking water. When he returned to the U.S., Ben built ClearWater as a simple charitable organization linking donors with Ugandan partners to execute clean water infrastructure projects in remote villages. He is a graduate of Tufts University and has a Masters degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Ben lives in Atlanta with his dog Juno.

Sandi Harari (Creative Director) is a 14 year veteran of advertising, design and branding/ID for clients ranging from P&G and Glaxo to W Hotels and MTV. Along the way she has established strong credentials in fashion, film, hospitality and other lifestyle verticals. She is very excited to be bringing ClearWater to life visually and be a part of it all!

An experienced litigator and trusted counselor to both individuals and businesses, Gary P. Sklaver (Board Member) is a principal in the law firm of Licari, Walsh & Sklaver, LLC in New Haven, Connecticut. A native of Waterbury, Connecticut and a graduate of the Taft School, Amherst College and Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Gary’s commitment to the legal profession was recognized in 2006 when he was elected President of the New Haven County Bar Association. Actively involved in his community, Gary has served as President of Congregation Mishkan Israel and has been involved as a board member and volunteer in numerous non-profit organizations.

Opolot Moses Odong (Project Manager) oversees all ClearWater activities in northern Uganda. An engineer by training, Moses also holds a degree in Architectural Draftsmanship from Uganda Technical College in Lira. Since 2004, Moses has also served as the Chief Engineer of the construction firm Framicon, where he has overseen the construction of several primary schools as well as dozens of borehole repairs and protected springs. Moses lives in Lira District with his wife, and is proud to be involved with an organization that provides clean water to his community and fellow countrymen.