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Peter Thum      

Co-Founder & CEO of Muse; Founder of Ethos Water, Entrepreneur, Humanitarian

Peter Thum is working to stop gun violence. He is Founder and CEO of two brands: Fonderie 47 and Liberty United; ventures that transform illegal guns into jewelry, watches, and art.

In 2008, while working in Africa on water projects, Thum met boys and young men armed with assault rifles. He decided to try to do something to turn the AK47 against itself by transforming these guns into objects that were beautiful, noble and completely opposite to the gun from which they were made. This concept has evolved into Fonderie 47.

Fonderie 47 has destroyed more than 70,000 assault rifles in African war zones. Liberty United funds programs to stop gun violence in the U.S. and focuses on making children and communities safer in neighborhoods with extreme gun violence.

Thum previously founded and was President of Ethos Water, which was acquired by Starbucks in 2005 and has provided water to some half million people worldwide. Thum founded the non-profit Giving Water, which has helped over 6,000 schoolchildren in Africa get water and sanitation access. He previously worked at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company and the Gallo Winery.

Speech Topics

The Imperative to Reduce Gun Violence

Peter Thum discusses his work since 2009 to reduce the impact of assault rifles in Africa and to reduce gun violence in the U.S.A. He tells the story of starting the brands Fonderie 47 and Liberty United, which transform illegal guns and bullets into high end jewelry, watches and other accessories. His companies, which have funded the removal and destruction of over 34,000 assault rifles in Africa and fund not for profits working to reduce gun violence in American communities.

The Ethos Water Story: The Keys Behind Successful Social Entrepreneurialism

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.

Leading Forward: The Role of Social Responsibility in the Corporate World

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.

News

Interview With Ethos Water Founder Peter Thum on His New Venture
Peter Thum is no stranger to philanthropy and entrepreneurial success. As the founder of Ethos Water, he raised more than $7 million in humanitarian water ...

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