Susan Davis is the founder and Executive Director of Improve International, a mission-driven research and consulting firm that seeks to improve the responses to the water and sanitation crises.

Susan has 27 years of not saving the world experience, and has developed a healthy sense of skepticism after evaluating or supporting international development activities in 22 countries. Based on her own and other’s failures, she advises donors, impact investors, and donor advisors on how to better invest in effective sustainable water and sanitation services in developing countries. She specializes in identifying root causes of failure and has spoken on this topic at several international conferences. She began her work in international development with WaterPartners International (now water.org), and has also worked with CARE USA and Water For People.

In this episode, Shannon and Susan talk about failure, why we're not learning from our mistakes, being the first female "Buzz," and more.

Special Guest: Susan Davis.

Links:

• Myths of Rural Water Supply
• Watering White Elephants
• Water 1st International
• Want to help someone? Shut up and listen!
• Bullsh!t Without Borders Event