Peter Thum
Recognized entrepreneur, business executive and humanitarian
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- Co-founder of Ethos Water — sold to Starbucks
- recognized pioneer in the field of social enterprise
- Ethos Water, which was acquired by Starbucks, has served hundreds of millions of customers and donated more than $13 million to provide safe water access to more than half a million people globally
- Founded the luxury goods brand Fonderie 47, which makes watches, jewelry and accessories from AK47’s and has funded the removal of over 50,000 illicit guns from circulation in African war zones
- Founded Liberty United, which transforms illegal guns from Police in the USA into jewelry and accessories and funds programs for thousands of at-risk kids growing up with the threat of gun violence in America
- Founded the not for profit Giving Water, which has provided safe water to more than 6,000 children in Kenya
- Served as Vice President of Starbucks and as a Director of the Starbucks Foundation
- Past consultant at McKinsey & Company
- Adviser to Lauren Bush’s Feed Projects
- Served as a Board Director of UNHCR, The Center for the Study of Human Rights and the Fund for Global Human Rights
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- Peter Thum is a recognized pioneer in social enterprise. He came up with the concept of connecting consumption with a related cause. He founded and was President of Ethos Water, which was acquired by Starbucks in 2005. Ethos has granted over $14 million to provide water, sanitation and hygiene education to more than half a million people worldwide.
He founded and is CEO of Liberty United and Fonderie 47. These ventures transform illegal guns into jewelry, accessories and art to fund programs to stop gun violence. Liberty United works in the USA. Its programs have helped protect and educate more than 3,200 at-risk children in dangerous neighborhoods from gun violence. Fonderie 47 has destroyed over 71,000 assault rifles in African war zones. Thum also founded and is president of not-for-profit Giving Water, which has provided water and sanitation to over 6,000 schoolchildren in Kenya.
Thum has served as a director and advisor on multiple boards, including: The Starbucks Foundation; USA for The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; The Center for the Study of Human Rights at Claremont McKenna College; FEED Projects; and The Fund for Global Human Rights.
The Tribeca Film Festival and the Disruptor Foundation awarded Thum ‘The Disruptive Innovation Award.’ He received the ‘For the Love of Children’ award from Children’s Home & Aid of Illinois. He has been featured in advertising campaigns for UBS, AT Cross and Levi Strauss.
Early in his career, he was a consultant at McKinsey & Company and a manager at Gallo Winery. He earned his MBA from Northwestern University and BA from Claremont McKenna College.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- In April 2017, Thum was awarded the For the Love of Children Award by Children’s Home and Aid of Illinois
- In December 2015, Thum’s work was featured in the global advertising campaign of the Cross Pen Company
- In September 2015, Thum was photographed by Annie Leibovitz and featured in her global advertising campaign for UBS.
- In October 2014, Levi Strauss & Co. featured Thum in their Unzipped series on world changing innovators.
- In November 2013, Town & Country named Thum was named one of America’s top 50 Philanthropists.
- In April 2012, the Tribeca Film Festival and the Disruptor Foundation awarded Thum the Disruptive Innovation Award.
- In June 2011, Worth Magazine named Thum one of “Twenty Entrepreneurs to Watch”.
As corporations play an ever-expanding role in our lives, it is now more imperative than ever before that they take the steps necessary to improve the lives of their employees, their consumers, their communities and of society at large. A dedicated social entrepreneur who has successfully established businesses that are driven by a social mission of helping those in need, Peter Thum delivers lessons on the importance of corporate social responsibility from which any organization can learn and benefit. From ethical branding and leveraging philanthropy, to emboldening a corporate message, to building a culture where giving back is a standard operating procedure; Thum helps companies of all sizes to understand the steps they need to complete to put social responsibility at the core of their mission and performance.
Countries all over the world are experiencing a water crisis. Millions of people in developing countries lack clean and safe drinking water. As the founder of Ethos™ Water, Peter Thum turned his idea of getting clean water to children into a successful social venture that has changed an industry, generated millions of dollars and changed lives. Thum talks through his eight-year odyssey starting in the townships of South Africa, to brokering an acquisition by Starbucks, and finally running Ethos today as an international brand and social movement. Thum’s story is one of passion, perseverance and success. His story motivates people to dream big and turn thoughts into action. He takes audiences on a tour of the world and shares the importance of addressing the world water crisis, how to build a brand from the ground up and the personal upside of working toward the common good.
Each year more than 17,000 American children fall victim to gun violence. It’s an epidemic. Peter Thum tells the story of transforming thousands of illegal guns and bullets into high-end jewelry, watches and other accessories. Since 2009, his companies have funded not for profits working help thousands of at-risk children in America’s most dangerous communities and funded the removal and destruction of over 50,000 assault rifles in African war zones.
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