Meet Our Team
Our Vision
Access to clean water is a human right. Together we can create a world where everyone has access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation services no matter where they live.
Our Mission
We bring teams from Canada to drill and repair wells, install water purification systems and water filters, and teach health and hygiene classes.
Our Core Values
Our model ensures maximum efficiency, complete transparency and a truly rewarding experience for donors and volunteers.
Team
We’re committed to keeping administrative costs down in order to directly invest the bulk of donor support towards water projects. By maintaining a volunteer team and Board, and by working with knowledgeable in-country partners, we’re able to deliver access to clean water to communities in urgent need around the world. Comprised of passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, our team brings a wealth of experience in water-related fields, international development, and strategic leadership.
Barry Hart, Founder and Chair
Barry and his wife Heather are former teachers who founded Water Ambassadors Canada after learning that a lack of clean water is the world’s largest cause of death and disease, but also one of the easiest problems to fix. With the support of countless volunteers and donors, Barry and Heather have built Water Ambassadors Canada into a leading registered water charity across Canada and around the world. Together, they are enjoying retirement in Haliburton, Ontario.
Gordon Mount, Secretary & Treasurer
Gord joined Water Ambassadors during a trip to Guatemala where a team of doctors told him that clean water must always be the top aid priority, or else any medical interventions will remain short-lived. He has applied that advice, and over forty years of experience as a Partner at KPMG, to his roles as Secretary, Treasurer, and Chair of the Resource Development Committee at Water Ambassadors Canada. Gord lives in Toronto, Ontario with his wife, Paula.
Jeff Merriman, Field Director
Jeff first got involved with Water Ambassadors Canada on a trip to Guatemala to drill a well for a rural village. The experience touched his heart and instilled a passion in him to help others through water. His involvement with water dates back even further in his career as an Environmental Engineer where he worked to restore contaminated groundwater. This work, and his life-changing trip to Guatemala, led to his second career as a volunteer field organizer for our organization. Jeff feels privilege of helping to provide clean water to families and communities in the developing world.
Nick Di Palma, Director
Nick is a chartered accountant with over 30 years of experience in the finance and accounting sectors. He is passionate about helping others and uses his extensive financial knowledge volunteering his time preparing personal tax returns for seniors. Nick is a long-time volunteer hockey and soccer coach and has been an active volunteer with Water Ambassadors Canada for over 10 years. He enjoys traveling and home renovation projects in his spare time. Nick lives in Vaughan, Ontario with his wife Rose and their four children.
Randall Linton, Director
Randall is co-owner of two national facility maintenance and contracting companies in Toronto. Outside of his business life, he enjoys giving back to the community. He is the current President of the Rotary Club of North York and a member of three charitable boards. He and his wife Elisabeth co-founded The Sanfilippo Children’s Research Foundation raising money and awareness of a rare terminal illness that claimed their youngest daughter’s life. Randall has been on a few water projects with his former high school teacher and Water Ambassadors founder, “Mr. Hart”. He lives in Toronto with his wife Elisabeth and thoroughly enjoys being Grandpa to his five grandchildren.
Jessica Macdonald, Director
In 2014, Jessica went on a trip to Honduras with Water Ambassadors Canada. Her fascination with the well-repair process and with the chlorinators that were distributed during her trip sparked a desire to become more involved with the organization. Since 2024, she has used her experience from working in the charitable sector as a member of the Board. In her free time Jessica loves to explore the great outdoors with her husband and baby.
Robert Positano, Director
Robert made his career in the auto industry by retailing and leasing cars. In his free time, he leads a men’s activity group and loves to golf. He got involved with Water Ambassadors Canada after reflecting on the spirit of Lent, choosing to add something to his life that would help others. That addition was working to drill wells for those without access to clean water. Robert lives in Toronto, Ontario with his wife, Wendy. They both recently became grandparents.