Each season we have the opportunity to work with a group of passionate and diligent interns who support our staff in incredible ways. From developing new skills to building relationships, our interns are a crucial part of the charity: water team. Meet our amazing spring interns!

Julia Hammond

School: Fordham University

Team: Key Relationships

Hometown: Essex, CT

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

I learned about charity: water a few years ago through social media, and the organization’s mission as well as the hopeful, beautiful branding immediately caught my attention. It made me stop to think about the sheer number of people who spend hours every day hauling unclean, unhealthy water, and realize what clean water can mean for an individual, especially girls and women. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to be a part of charity: water and help people around the world get access to the lifeline and the opportunities that clean & safe drinking water provide.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

I usually grab my computer and a cup of coffee and check my emails and calendar. Then, I usually spend my time collecting and organizing data to help our Key Relationships team keep in contact with our amazing donors! I also send a lot of thank you notes to donors that sponsor entire water projects.

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

The people! I love coming into work and immediately feeling all the positive, creative, motivated energy that fills this space. The Key Relationships team is full of amazingly talented, smart, funny, and kind staff & interns that inspire me every day. I also really love learning about the way nonprofits are run, and learning about all the different people and departments that keep this place going!

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

I’m a total foodie, so when I have the time, I’m usually running all over the city looking for delicious food & dessert – there’s too many awesome neighborhoods to pick just one! I’m also incredibly lucky to go to school right next to the New York Botanical Garden, which is another favorite of mine.

Fun Fact:

My dream job is to be a photojournalist and work for National Geographic.

Ami Patel

School: University of Warwick

Team: Key Relationships

Hometown: England

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

I enjoyed reading about all the work charity: water had done and the different ways people had been supporting them. I was excited to be part of an organization that is passionate about making a difference, and one where my work would support those that are not getting the opportunities they deserve.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

I like coming in and making myself a cup of coffee, and then checking my calendar for anything I need to attend that day. The main project I am currently working on is researching major donors. I also help my manager with other smaller tasks such as updating information on NetSuite and mailing gifts to donors.

What is your favourite part of interning at charity: water

My favourite part is the people I get to work with. Everyone is very welcoming and willing to answer any questions. I am excited to get to know the people in the organization.

What is your favourite NYC hangout?

My favourite NYC hangout is Astoria Park.

Fun Fact:

I lived in England for 22 years before moving to New York City last July.

Elizabeth Logan

School: The King’s College

Team: Production

Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

I have friends who interned at charity: water in the past and they all loved it. I didn’t want an internship where I ran to get coffee every day instead of actually working, so after hearing the reviews of this program I knew it was a perfect fit.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

I typically come in and answer any emails I might have, then I start on any tasks that Laura and Johanna assigned to me. Sometimes I have to make itineraries for Scott or send merchandise to the UK office or go see a venue. Every day is a little different!

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

The people that work at charity: water are my favorite part of this internship. Everyone here has been very kind and open, which I’m very appreciative of.

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

I love the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. I lived right next to it for my first two years in the city so it’s a like a little piece of home.

Fun Fact:

My favorite movies are Good Will Hunting and Tangled.

Maxi Rodriguez

School: NYU

Team: Marketing

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

I found out about charity: water recently when I moved to NYC. An Instagram influencer that I follow posted about charity: water and I decided to learn more about it. I quickly realized that charity: water was different and was drawn in by the commitment to transparency and honesty (something I wasn’t used to seeing a lot of in other nonprofits). I decided it would be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a charitable organization and help guide me in choosing a possible career path.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

I’m usually at the front desk, so my day begins by listening to the voicemails left on the Dialpad as well as reading through the call logs and either triaging them to other team members or taking care of it as best I can. If I’m not answering phone calls or greeting visitors while at the desk, I’m usually responding to inquiries that come through the Help Center or info@. Additionally, I’m assisting Annalise with any other tasks that come up (ie. shipping out supporter mail, communicating with students, or providing supporter to fundraisers)

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

I really enjoy hearing people’s stories. And I think charity: water supporters have some of the best stories to tell. Whether it’s why they decided to donate or what their giving experience has taught them, hearing our supporters express their joy and excitement for the cause is always so awesome!

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

You can almost always find me eating at a Sweetgreen or at Pier 40 playing in a pick-up soccer game. NYC has so many cool places to explore, so I like putting on my sneakers and going on a run across town to really appreciate all it has to offer.

Fun Fact:

I’m a huge Manchester United supporter and got to see them play when they went to California last year. Next thing to check off the bucket list: The World Cup!

Danielle Gleason

School: LIM

Team: Key Relationships

Hometown: Swiftwater, PA

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

In the spring semester of 2017, I took a nonprofit management and cause marketing course to learn more about nonprofits. For the final project in my nonprofit management course, we had to do a research project on an NYC nonprofit. After a quick search, I came across charity: water and immediately wanted to learn all I could. After completing my research project I was eager to learn even more about charity: water and knew I wanted to apply for an internship position.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

When I come into the office the first thing I do is get myself a cup of hot water for tea. I do this first thing because the water is so hot that it takes at least 40 minutes to reach a drinkable temperature. My typical daily tasks consist of mailing out birthday gifts, mailing out packages, working on projects given to me by my manager, attending meetings, and helping out with intern requests when I can!

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

For me, doing a research project on charity: water and now being here as an intern a year later is very rewarding. I love how transparent, honest, and real everyone at charity: water is.

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

Being a homebody, my favorite NYC hangout is my room. I really enjoy hanging out at home and escaping the busy city lifestyle. When I do venture out, I love to go to the movies!

Fun Fact:

I do not like avocados or coffee.

Henry Thomas

School: The King’s College

Team: Finance

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

As a student studying Finance, I jumped at the opportunity to take part in charity: water’s unique 100% Model. The Finance department is crucial to maintaining the organization’s core values, and I enjoy taking part in their meaningful work.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

Imagine: excel spreadsheets, tax receipts, and a lot of one-on-one communications with donors. While that may not be most people’s’ idea of a fun day, I love it!

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

The people - I can honestly say the accountants at charity: water are some of the coolest and funniest people I’ve ever met.

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

Brooklyn Promenade

Fun Fact:

When I’m not crunching numbers, I’m shooting pictures. I especially love photographing “urban ruins.” I’ve found and explored abandoned schools, hospitals, prisons, and even a nuclear power plant!

Julia Biango

School: Columbia University

Team: Water Programs

Hometown: Myrtle Beach, SC

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

I intern for charity: water in order to learn the ins and outs of development programming and to gain this knowledge at an organization whose values align with mine.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

A typical day for me involves scouring through grants to make greater sense out of the data we have collected throughout our extensive program portfolio.

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

The exposure and incredible learning opportunity—I feel grateful for having been given the responsibilities and the access to learn so thoroughly about what we do and how we do it. Also, the snacks rock.

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

If I have free time, you can most likely catch me at one of the many music venues throughout Brooklyn.

Fun Fact:

My favorite gif of the moment.

Shomal Caesar

School: Evangel University

Team: People and Culture

Hometown: Jamaica, NY

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

I wanted to intern charity: water because from the moment I learned about the organization I could not get it out of my mind. I learned about charity: water while looking for a job and the internship was posted. I had never heard much about the organization before then. I decided to do research about the organization and completely believed in the heart and mission. After watching countless videos and reading various stories I knew I wanted to be a part of this in anyway possible.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

Honestly, a typical day at the office is almost nonexistent. I could be helping with an internal event, running around with a ladder or just assisting Joy Caroline. It all depends on what is the priority at that time.

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

My favorite part of interning at charity:water is the people/culture. I have had the opportunity to learn from so many people through conversations and simply watching them work diligently. They are incredibly passionate about their work!

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

I love experiencing new things. Having grown up in NYC it sometimes feels like I have seen most of New York, however I have recently discovered New York looks a lot different than it did when I was a teenager. I often try to spend the weekend doing something new. Right now the highline is one of my favorites.

Fun Fact:

I used to compete in spoken word competitions.

Katherine Mills

School: Fordham University

Team: Brand Partnerships

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Why did you want to intern at charity: water?

I wanted to intern at charity: water because I have always been a fan of the organization since I originally was introduced to it. I think it is amazing how simple the mission seems, to bring clean and safe drinking water to all people, yet that one cause can affect and touch so many other aspects of the lives that are affected. I specifically feel passionate about the way that women and young girls are impacted by our water projects. They are getting back the time that used to be spent trekking to get water and being able to invest that time into education and even starting small businesses.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

My typical day is always changing! I assist the Brand Partnerships team doing a variety of tasks. It could be anything from responding to emails from prospective corporate partners, to designing one-pagers, to helping compile and construct donor impact reports.

What is your favorite part of interning at charity: water?

My favorite part so far has been the people I get to work with. Everyone is genuinely so nice and ready to help or give advice. Everyone is uplifting and the whole office has a great and overall positive vibe to it. Also, the sparkling water machine in the kitchen is a definite perk.

What is your favorite NYC hangout?

My favorite thing to do in NYC is to try new things! Whether it be trying new restaurants, cuisines, art museums, or music venues, I like to try and switch it up every weekend. Anything that has a great view, rooftop, or is by the water, are also automatic favorites of mine. I love to be outdoors.

Fun Fact:

I am going to be spending my summer in Granada, Spain studying and living with a Spanish family! I don’t speak any Spanish.