Reflections from Break the Barriers: A Wellness Event
Hi! I am Taylor Pulver, the founder and head of the Surge Club at The Latin School of Chicago. Surge has always been a big part of my life as my family has been involved for a while. This year I was lucky enough to be asked to speak at the Surge Menstruation Day Event. Let’s be honest here: when I first thought about speaking about my period/periods in front of people who I didn’t know, I was a little nervous. Growing up, I have learned never to be embarrassed about my period but it still seemed a little bit nerve racking. Even just the word “period” has so much stigma around it. When I look back to the event, I am proud of myself for letting go of the stigma and talking freely about periods.
Taylor, speaking at the Wellness Event
For the event I spoke in front of many other women and educated them on alternative period products such as Thinx underwear, reusable pads, menstrual cups, and organic pads and tampons. Not only did I learn about different products, but I also learned so much more about periods in places all over the world. For example, I just got back from a service trip to Bali and even when I was there I learned a bit about periods. Before the trip started our tour guide asked everyone if anyone was on their periods. In Bali, blood is considered to be un-sacred so anyone who has their periods in unable to step inside a temple or any holy place. Additionally, I recently watched the short film Period. End of Sentence. I learned so much in such a short amount of time about how girls can be shunned because of their periods. Some even end up dropping out of school because their period has taken over their life. Also, I was watching TV and an ad for Always Tampons and Pads came on with the slogan along the lines of “periods don’t stop women”. Now for many this is true. In the United States, for example, many people have access to tampons and pads and are able to go through their day without a difference. Whereas somewhere else, like in the film, girls can be shunned from their communities and are forced to stay home from school.
Women at our Wellness Event
Speaking at the event was eye opening for me because not only did I learn so many new facts about periods but I also learned to never be embarrassed while talking about periods. I look forward to using what I learned to teach my school club more about menstruation in underdeveloped countries and what we can do to help. Even if that means teaching girls at my school about alternative period products – a little can go a long way. It really meant a lot for me to have the experience of being part of such an amazing event. I am excited for the school year to start so I can restart my club again!
Taylor, handing a check to Jennifer, Associate Executive Director and Channa, Board Chair
Surge is grateful for Taylor and her school club’s dedication to ending the global water crisis!
Rachel has over 13 years of experience managing rural WASH programs and enterprises across Southeast Asia and Africa. She is passionate about designing and delivering human-centered WASH solutions—working closely with enterprises, non-profits, and local governments to create lasting services. She has led large-scale initiatives focused on scaling practical solutions that increase equitable access to safe water and sanitation.
Prior to joining Surge, Rachel served as the Water Sector Lead for SNV in Lao PDR, where she managed a climate-resilient and inclusive WASH program that improved access to services for over 230,000 people. In addition to program management, she led research initiatives that informed key policies, including national guidelines on community-based water safety planning and strategies to achieve full sanitation coverage by 2025.
I’m passionate about Surge’s mission to provide clean water to those most in need. It’s touching to hear the experiences of our team who’ve witnessed and contributed first-hand solutions to the communities Surge works in. As the mother of Surge’s founder, it is extra-special to see my daughter’s vision and hard work come to life and make a difference in so many lives. I’m also happy to apply my strong organizational and administration skills from my 35-year career in the oil industry towards Surge.
Laila Al-Yousuf
Director, UAE
Design Director at Say Studio
Laila Al-Yousuf
I want my life to be about the positive impact that I make on other people’s lives. I’m blessed and I’m compelled to use my blessings to help other people; this is why I’m a part of Surge. Traveling to Uganda with Surge changed my life. Every day, I see the faces of the beautiful people we met, and it gives me the drive to do what I can for them. As a professional interior designer, it was an honor to use my talents to create and help launch Surge’s annual UAE gala and design competition: Design, Dine, Make a Difference. It’s been a surreal experience to see the interior design industry come together to support our cause, and thus change the lives of communities around the world.
Director, UAE
Partner/Commercial Manager at ChelseaGREEN
Jennie Stallings
With over 25 years’ experience across the US, Middle East, and Africa as an Ergonomic Specialist, Wellness Consultant, Trainer, Interior Designer, and self-proclaimed furniture guru, Jennie has been driven to help create spaces where people can thrive.
Jennie stumbled across Surge after attending the second annual gala, Design, Dine, make a Difference, and has been involved ever since. Whether she is in a ball gown in Dubai or a Surge t-shirt, she passionately supports Surge in any way her skills can allow her to be of service.
Suvai Gunasekaran
Governing Board, USA Assistant Professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Development Chair, USA
Chief Development Officer at Vitamin Angels
Scott Minger
I believe access to clean water is a human right. I love how Surge provides sustainable solutions to communities with the goal of ending the cycle of poverty. I am passionate about leveraging my 20 years in the retail industry and nonprofit management experience to help provide access to clean water to those in need.
Marketing & Communications Director, USA
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BevSource
Sarah Odde Lynch
I love devoting my time as a marketing professional to an organization that cares about providing for children and families’ basic needs — and creating a better future. It’s been exciting to see Surge grow through the years, starting as an idea and now becoming a major force in the water and sanitation space. Outside of Surge, I’ve been in corporate marketing for more than 15 years, working on dynamic food and beverage brands such as Land O’Lakes®, Baileys®, Ketel One®, and most recently V&V Supremo Chihuahua® Cheese.
Governing Board, USA
Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Purview
Josh DeBartolo
Josh is a dynamic professional with a diverse background in finance, non-profits, and social businesses. With a passion for sustainable development, Josh takes a “listen first” approach and has spearheaded community-based disaster response efforts as well as initiatives designed to assist individuals combating rural and urban poverty both domestically and abroad. He currently serves as COO of a healthcare technology company, overseeing operations and implementing innovative solutions to improve health equity and access to expert care.
Governing Board, USA
Senior Director, Technology and AI Strategy at Salesforce
Chris Beukenkamp
Chris has spent over 25 years in software and IT working across the globe. He has lived in London, Canada, China and Taipei while managing teams and traveling with family all over APAC. Currently, he advises some of the world’s biggest retailers as a Distinguished Enterprise Architect at Salesforce. His family mantra and giving focus is “God, Kids and Animals” and is very excited to join the board at Surge and bring his expertise to help bring clean water and sanitation to children around the world.
Operations Director, USA
Director of Administration for the Village of Barrington Hills
Anna Paul
We’re so lucky to not have to think about the safety of our water. No one should have their future limited by access to safe water and sanitation. I dedicate my time to this cause because of the inspiring way Surge integrates with communities and becomes a part of them to solve this global issue. I know we are making a sustainable difference. Professionally, I’m an administrator and an organizer, and I apply these skills to to my work with Surge — where I get things working better and more efficiently. In my free time, you’ll find me at a fencing tournament.
I’ve ended up where I am because I have the passion and will to help the poor, needy, vulnerable, voiceless and invisible people especially women, children and the youth. My personal mission is to empower women, youth, orphans and vulnerable children to realize their full potentials for sustainable livelihoods. Surge is a Great, Reliable, Flexible and passionate partner. Before Surge, much of POPOW’s ideas remained in the book with no funds or additional ideas to bring them to reality. We were like a bird without wings to fly. We are so grateful and appreciative of Surge’s immense, invaluable support. Together, we’ve transformed and changed lives.
Dr. Pierre Erol Rene
Director, ASSHLA, Haiti
Dr. Pierre Erol Rene
I’m a Doctor that cares about helping the most disadvantaged people improve their living conditions and live with dignity. I built an organization with friends to do this in Haiti in service of better drinking water, health, employment and housing. With a global vision to live in a world of solidarity, I looks forward to continued work with Surge and other partners to deliver on economic self-sufficiency. My partnership with Surge for Water has already helped me a lot in my mission.
Ashley Quinlan
Operations & Development Manager
Ashley Quinlan
As Surge’s Operations & Development Manager, Ashley helps oversee every community partner to support their work and success. She’s passionate about supporting solutions that serve both people and the planet.
Ashley holds a BS in Environmental Science from Loyola University Chicago and has had the chance to call Vietnam, Croatia, and Portugal home. In her free time, you can find her taking language classes, exploring her community, attempting embroidery, or reading.
Surge’s mission to uplift and empower those most in need through life-giving water resonates deeply with me. My deepest desire is to do as much as I can for humanity, and Surge enables me to do so. Visiting Surge’s field partners and working, dancing and singing with the community is what I love the most. My passion for the cause gave me the courage to leave the corporate path and instead be a voice for our planet and its people. My diverse experiences in finance, human resources, sales, and parenting are all skills I use every day in running Surge’s UAE chapter.
I started Surge in response to a deep calling to give back to people who were less fortunate than me, and to be an active part of addressing poverty, injustice, and inequality in our world. Through Surge’s mission and model, I found an unanswered need and a way to fulfill my calling. Surge is one of my life’s biggest loves — it’s truly an extension of my mind, heart, and soul. It’s been so fulfilling and motivating being a part of Surge’s story and its global family, who are all connected by love and a desire to make our world a better place. My professional and educational experiences in engineering, public policy, supply chain, and management consulting are effectively put to use in running the organization.
