Mike Mantel, PhD
Dr. Michael J. Mantel has dedicated much of his life to bringing water to the world’s thirsty while spreading the love of Jesus Christ. As the president and CEO of Living Water International – a faith-based global humanitarian organization focused on WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) – Mike is a firm believer in the miracle of safe water.
Thirty years ago, Mike witnessed the life-changing impact of water while visiting impoverished rural communities in Senegal, West Africa. He saw how access to clean water became a catalyst for physical and spiritual change.
This belief brought him to Living Water International in 2008; since then, he has led the organization through years of unprecedented growth, doubling its reach and impact. Living Water has completed nearly 22,000 water projects benefitting over 6.4 million people in the last 31 years.
Under his leadership, Living Water International has hosted 20,000 North Americans on international volunteer trips to learn from and serve communities across Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. His vision for personal engagement launched “Team Living Water,” Chevron Houston Marathon’s favorite charity, whose bright yellow jerseys are now a familiar site on race day.
Prior to joining Living Water International, Mike led various teams at World Vision, earned a PhD in Organizational Development from Benedictine University, enjoyed many years in business, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, Calvin College. In 2021, InterVarsity Press published Mike’s first book, Thirsting for Living Water. (Find a trailer video of the book here.)
Recently honored by the Houston Business Journal as one of the city’s Most Admired CEOs, Mike co-developed and now leads Living Water International’s 300-person global team of dedicated colleagues in 18 countries, bringing water, for life, in Jesus’ name.
Mike serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Values-Driven Leadership at Benedictine University and as an elder at Grace Presbyterian Church. Mike, his wife Natalie and their four daughters have traveled the world in service with others and he cherishes the opportunity to invite others to join in. He currently resides in Houston, Texas.