Water Advocate and Founder of Thirst4Water Mina became an Ultra Runner to raise awareness about the global water crisis. |
“Despite growing up in Australia, I was never a sporty kid. I couldn’t figure out how to make my body do what I wanted it to. I became adept at avoiding sport.
It was only when the doctors told me I would never be able to run again, after hurting my back so badly from being pushed into a swimming pool, that I saw sport as an opportunity.
I fell into climate change by accident, during my early years as a lawyer. I was headhunted by the World Bank and moved to Washington DC. From there I went to London, and then to Beijing where together with Tim Clissold (who was to become one of my closest friends) we started Peony Capital.
I was recognized for my achievements at Peony Capital and was nominated to join the community of Young Global Leaders (YGL’s).
It was through the YGL’s that I was exposed to the problem of invisible water, and would go on to make it my life ambition to solve the water crisis.
I launched Thirst in March 2012. What started as a crazy idea sketched on a whiteboard became a movement that would stretch across China. Last year alone, 400,000 kids graduated from Thirst’s education programs.
When I realized that we couldn’t solve the water problem just by being in China, I took on the challenge issued by me to the YGL’s to create a stunt that would capture the world’s media attention and help to spread our messages. The campaign of #Run4Water was born.
Mina is on a mission to call each of us to save water and to join together to change the way we all use, consume and think about water.
Her running campaigns for water since 2012 have reached and activated thousands of people.
“Our planet’s water resources are under extreme stress. Experts predict that by 2030 our demand for water will be 40% greater than the supplies available. We are literally #RunningDry.
We can’t continue like this. We owe the next generation a better planet. We need to act: now.
Each one of us has the power to help solve our world’s water crisis. Whether it’s turning off the tap when we brush our teeth, reducing our food waste, or innovating new ways to save water, every action matters and every drop counts. Individually we can make an impact. Together we can change the world,” Mina says.
In March 2016 I finished running 40 marathons across 7 deserts on 7 continents in 7 weeks. It was a world first. Something that put me onto Fortunes’ list of the 50 greatest leaders in the world. Together with the Pope, Angela Merkel and Jeff Bezos – there I am at no 45 (as my friends proudly tell me – above Justin Trudeau!).”
On the 22nd of March 2017, Mina embarked on her next #Run4Water expedition – The 6 River Run.
In November 2018 she started her journey of running 100 marathons in 100 days. When she broke her leg after 62 days, the global community of water-conscious people all over the world took over by running or walking Mina’s miles to help her complete the 100-day challenge!
Awards
Voted one of Fortune’s 50 greatest leaders in the world, in 2016
Shortlisted for Advance’s Global Australian Awards, in 2016
Named as one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence (2013)
Named as one of Australia’s “50 for the Future” (2012)
Named as one of the top 50 Leading Australians in Asia
Recipient of a Future Leadership Award from the Australia Davos Connection (2010)
Named a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum (2010)
