What would happen if we started to tell more positive stories? What would happen if we went somewhere like the Seine, which back in the 1970s was declared functionally dead with only three species of fish alive in its waters? What would happen if we actually showcased the power of what’s possible?”
In this latest episode of Distilled, host Will Sarni, CEO of Water Foundry, sits down with a new guest to discuss the power of collective action, the need to protect our rivers, and how a shift in perspective can help overcome challenges — plus, the guest’s journey throughout the world of water.
Mina Guli, renowned water advocate and CEO of Thirst Foundation, joined Will to talk through her background. Kicking off the discussion, Will asked Mina what got her hooked on water.
Watch the full video episode below or keep reading for the write-up.
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Mina on how she got hooked on water
Mina was raised in Australia, where droughts and water scarcity dominated the daily news. However, after years of working as an attorney, a conversation with Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, the former CEO of Nestlé, opened her eyes to the growing global water crisis. When she heard Peter say that water demand was increasing twice as fast as the population, Mina realized just how crucial water is in everything we consume and use.
Motivated to change hearts and minds, she set out to educate millions of children across China about the importance of water conservation. But she quickly realized that, while important, educating children was not going to create the rapid change needed.
She wanted to create global awareness and action; she began to think outside the box. Thus, Mina’s iconic “running expeditions” were born — designed to bring attention to the water crisis in a way that resonated with both the public and decision-makers. By running across the most water-stressed regions and partnering with local communities, Mina’s message was clear: Water is not just a local or regional issue, but a global one requiring immediate, collective action.
Mina wanted her running challenges to send a powerful message: Small steps can lead to big changes.
Mina on the power of storytelling and collective action in building momentum
Mina and Will then talked about the need to stop preaching to the converted, engage new decision-makers, and break out of echo chambers to drive tangible change. They both agreed that when the public demands action — through voting, investing, or consumer choices — leaders will be forced to respond.
Mina’s mission to run 100 marathons in 100 days for water awareness took a dramatic turn when she injured her femur. But, determined to keep awareness alive, her team continued running in her place, inspiring a local movement in Cape Town that quickly turned global; people from over 200 countries ran, shared their own water stories, and demanded action on water scarcity.
Sometimes when you take a small step, you have no idea where you’re going to end up. But as long as you’re headed in the right direction, amazing things can happen. When you provide a platform and opportunities for people, you can honestly create change. Someone once said to me: Individually, you can make an impact. But when we work together, we truly can change the world. They were right — I’ve seen it.”
Mina on protecting and restoring rivers
During her 200-marathon journey, Mina explained how she encountered some of the most distressing signs of the climate crisis: glaciers melting in Central Asia; bridges that had been washed away; and plummeting water levels in Lake Powell. She saw firsthand how people are suffering the real consequences of water scarcity. She also saw how rivers are truly the front lines of not only the water crisis, but the climate, food, and energy crises.
We needed to do something to raise the profile of not only our rivers but their value and importance to everyone everywhere and to everything we hold dear to our lives.”
One particularly painful stop on Mina’s journey was at Lake Powell in the United States. She saw that water levels were so low that landmarks like the Lone Rock, once surrounded by water, were now dry and exposed. Emotional conversations with locals, including one with a man who had boated around the lake as a child, drove home the real sense of loss.
She began to think: What if they launched a campaign to elevate the importance of rivers and waterways, showcasing not only their critical state but their value, too? She believed they could use the campaign to inspire action from governments, businesses, and individuals to protect, preserve, and restore vital ecosystems.
Mina started with the Seine River, which had been declared “functionally dead” in the 1970s. In 2024, it played a key role in the Olympic Games. By highlighting such positive stories, Mina knew they could show the potential for change through commitment and collaboration — starting with running its length in its entirety.
Mina on overcoming challenges by shifting our perspectives
Mina began to frame the discussion around rivers as a critical part of solutions to climate change. She strongly believes that rivers are much more than just sources of water, but hubs for agriculture, energy production, and local communities. Mina says that when we neglect them, we endanger the very systems that sustain us.
She also challenges CEOs who claim problems are too complex or overwhelming by asking, “Are you really saying this is impossible?” For Mina, the biggest challenges require only commitment. She believes the path forward is clearer when we all unite as a community, reframe our mindsets, and recognize that the risks are smaller than we think.
Mina’s run along the Seine is just the start of the RunBlue campaign – the ‘World River Run’. Between 2025 and 2026, Mina will run thousands of kilometers along rivers on six continents to raise awareness of the world’s river crisis and to inspire governments, businesses, and communities to take action to protect and restore them.
Interested in more Distilled content?
Hosted by Water Foundry CEO Will Sarni, Distilled is a video podcast series that features water leaders from around the world. Each one-on-one conversation explores the guest’s unique career path, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the water industry, and considers what’s next for water.
You can find more episodes here.
