If there is one thing I have learned over the past four years, it’s that having long-term impact and changing ecosystems to enable people to overcome poverty is possible. In fact, it’s a must! We can’t afford to wait to improve the lives of roughly 4 billion people who live on less than just a few dollars a day. That’s 2/3rds of the world’s population just barely surviving every day. And since the rest of us can help through a variety of ways, we must act now! The only solution in my mind is social innovation! Working strategically, creatively, and collaboratively to have a social impact in our respective fields of expertise (or financial, physically, and mentally supporting those who are by volunteering our time and talents), we can and will be the change we wish to see in the world!

Hi, my name is Michael Gray. I am the newly hired Director of Operations at Quiet Way. I am a collaborative person, passionate social entrepreneur, and experienced base of the socio-economic pyramid (BoP) consultant (a.k.a. social innovation advocate for people in poverty). I am thrilled to be involved with Quiet Way because it is an organization that gets IT! What’s IT? Well, IT is the realization that much of traditional development and “handouts” don’t eradicate poverty. Quiet Way has been there. Although it’s made great impact on the lives of those it has served since 2002 (i.e. feeding thousands of people in Kenya’s drought zones), it has mostly been short-term. Recognizing that hunger in those regions will remain a problem year after year, it was apparent during my job interview that Quiet Way realized the need to focus on the root of poverty, and it cared about scaling and sustainable impact.

I am involved with Quiet Way because of its passionate team, innovate and well-researched ideas, and ability to mobilize the best resources and people to reach its goals. Figuring out its niche based on its knowledge and experience with water projects and its established network in Kenya, Quiet Way peaked my interest. Together, I know we will turn the water-resource management problems into opportunities to provide access to clean water for all Kenyans. While a lot of money has already been or will be allocated for water in Kenya, now it’s only a matter of strategically employing and directing its use in transparent ways to the best implementing organizations and partnerships.

Coming with a strong knowledge in cross-sector partnership development, impact evaluation, and economic development consulting experience, I am excited to join and build Quiet Way’s team. So far my main tasks have been to put Quiet Way’s evolved vision and strategy to accomplish its goals on paper, online, and in motion. Please join us as we bring Quiet Way’s ideas to implementation and continue expanding our coalition and building our team!

Also feel free to follow me on twitter: @michaelngray