Creating change that lasts for generations: Celebrating Tal Woolsey's retirement
There's a Haitian proverb Tal Woolsey shares: Si bèf te konn fòs yo, majoral pa ta lanse yo. If the ox knew its own strength, it wouldn't be led by a rope.
People are far more capable than they think—they have the power to create lasting change when provided with knowledge and confidence. Tal’s conviction in this has guided him for nearly three decades in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
Tal started in Haiti, joined CAWST in 2004, and this month retired as Vice President of Global Services. In his farewell to the team, he reflected on CAWST's journey with 'a heart full of emotions—a mix of profound gratitude, reflection, and anticipation.' Across continents and communities, Tal has worked side by side with people who, in turn, have created change in their own lives and the lives of others.
Tal was the backbone of CAWST and a trusted colleague, mentor and friend for many around the world. People speak about Tal as leading heart-to-heart.
It started in Haiti
Tal’s journey in water and sanitation began in Haiti, where he co-founded Clean Water for Haiti, a non-profit dedicated to providing safe water through locally made biosand filters. Working in challenging conditions—amid hurricanes, flooding and instability—he learned what “cost” really means: that sustainable water access requires much more than a piece of hardware or infrastructure. It takes knowledge, training and trust built with communities.
Those lessons became the foundation of Tal’s approach: empowering others to lead. Give someone a biosand filter, and they have clean water today. Teach them how to build and maintain it, and they can share that knowledge with their neighbours, children and community for generations.
Tal joined CAWST in 2004, an organization already committed to this approach. Over the next two decades, he would help strengthen and expand its impact around the world.
Building a global movement
During his tenure at CAWST, Tal has been a driving force behind our global service delivery model, which enables partners around the world to train, consult and deliver lasting WASH solutions in their own communities.
Tal always thought big. He believed we could reach millions of people with better WASH—long before we proved it to ourselves. But he never measured impact just in numbers. He measured it in people, in relationships.
As Tal said: "It is people who have a desire and are motivated to transform their countries, their communities and their environment."
Under his leadership, the CAWST network has reached tens of millions of people—not just with clean water or safe sanitation, but with the knowledge to build, maintain and improve them for years to come.
CAWST’s model is rooted in local ownership and empowers organizations around the world to train and consult in their own communities. Seeing this principle unfold across continents has been, in Tal's words, 'the greatest reward of my career.'
Whether setting a bold goal of reaching 230 million people by 2030, teaching entrepreneurs how to mould and build biosand filters, or testing water quality alongside families in Uganda, Tal led by example—with humility, heart and an unwavering belief in collective potential.
As he put it: “When they possess the knowledge themselves, they don't just look after the water and sanitation needs of their families and neighbours. They share it beyond their community, creating change that lasts for generations.”
Pictured above: Tal tests water quality with the Packwach family in Uganda.
A leader, a teacher, a friend
Tal's influence came through in countless moments—sometimes quiet, often fun and boisterous, and always genuine. The way he listened deeply will be remembered by training partners, people in homes and communities anywhere he went, and his colleagues. The way he showed up to every event—from World Water Day celebrations to Calgary Flames games and school gyms—ready to talk to anyone who would listen about CAWST and the important work being done. The way he interacted with donors and volunteers, always making sure everyone felt valued and important. His genuine eagerness to meet every person and understand their context. The simple encouragement he'd offer staff when they doubted themselves. These gestures of respect, delivered with Tal's signature energy, made people feel capable of more than they imagined.
Hailey Carnegie, a former CAWST staff member, remembers her first encounter with Tal:
"In 2019, I was being interviewed for my job at CAWST by Tal. He was incredibly inspiring and I knew I wanted to work there after meeting him. He shared with me that he'd never worked a day in his life—not because the work was easy, but because he found what so many of us are searching for: work that feels like purpose."
In Zambia, Tal is known as Sukuru—"uncle" in Shona. It's a term of endearment that captures exactly who he is: someone who listens deeply, asks the right questions and makes others feel capable and valued.
John Nyagwencha, CEO of Aqua Clara Kenya (ACK), one of CAWST's training partners, put it beautifully:
"There are many people who have dedicated their lives to the cause of WASH. Few have taken on the challenge with so much passion, commitment and empathy. None have delivered with as much warmth, wisdom and wit. Enjoy your retirement, Tal. We'll continue to nurture the seed you've planted."
As he steps into retirement, we know Sukuru’s influence will continue. That seed has taken root in so many places. Tal has shown up for John and so many others, bringing his unique sense of humour and contagious energy to everything he did.
Tal with John Nyagwencha, CEO of ACK, admiring a drinking water quality testing kit during a training in Uganda.
The work continues
The early morning coffee pots and branded CAWST shirts may be leaving the building, but Tal's impact will reverberate through communities around the world for generations to come.
"Tal and I have worked side by side for over twenty years," said Shauna Curry, President and CEO, CAWST. "He’s been a grounding force at CAWST, keeping us all focused on the potential of people and delivering our services with a bias to action. He dedicated his life to elevating others and seeding hope in the hearts of people he meets. Thank you, Tal, for your leadership, care and friendship—and for your unwavering commitment to this work."
David O’Brien, CAWST Chairman, Shauna Curry, President and CEO of CAWST, and Tal with the staff at The Ethiopian Kale Hiwot Church Humanitarian Aid and Development Commission (EKHCDC) in Ethiopia.
At CAWST, we'll continue to be guided by that Haitian proverb Tal loves. Because if there's one thing Tal has proven over nearly three decades, it's this: when people know their own strength, there's no limit to what they can achieve.
As Tal reminded the CAWST team in his farewell: “Byen pre, pa lakay”—"Very near, is not home yet.” Tal leaves knowing the work will continue, the seeds will keep growing and the movement he helped build will reach further than he ever imagined.
Thank you, Sukuru. Congratulations on your retirement. You've earned every moment of what comes next.
Help knowledge flow for generations
Tal's legacy lives on through the work CAWST continues around the world.
“The gift of water is the most important gift you can give,” shares Tal. “Without clean water and sanitation, all other quality-of-life improvements, better health, better education, better income, are all virtually impossible.”
P.S. Here’s Tal in one of our most popular videos. Enjoy!
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