Jeff Raikes was honored at this week’s 2017 Water for Food Conference.  As a co-founder of the Raikes Foundation and Daughterly Water for Food Foundation & Board Chair, he is credited with being the inspiration for the event with his concerns for finding local solutions to global challenges.  Raikes is stepping down from the board this year, but he is still committed to the mission’s success.

In honor of his years of service Executive Director of Water for Food, Peter McCornick, recognized Raikes as a Water for Food Champion. Listen to the awards presentation here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/water4food-17-raikes-award.mp3″ text=”Special Presentation for Jeff Raikes”]

Raikes presented during the opening Plenary session, saying, “I have a challenge for you. I am grateful you are here, but I want you to be more than an attendee. I want you to be an active partner. I want you to challenge ideas, share your experiences. I want you to meet new people and make new connections. We have an audacious goal of a world of water and food security. Collectively we have the power to scale solutions.”

Listen to Jeff’s complete presentation here: [wpaudio url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/zimmcomm/water4food-17-opening-remarks-raikes.mp3″ text=”Jeff Raikes, Water for Food Board Chair”]

View and download photos from the event here: 2017 Water for Food Global Conference