Who is Matt Kistler? Water Resilience Coalition’s New CEO

Matt Kistler has been appointed as the new CEO of the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC). The announcement was made by the Pacific Institute in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact, who co-founded the WRC.

This marks a major milestone for the Coalition, which is focused on solving the world’s water crisis by bringing together global business leaders.

Who is Matt Kistler?

Matt Kistler brings over 25 years of global executive experience to his new role. He has worked across sectors including manufacturing, software, and sustainability.

He previously served as Senior Vice President for Global Sustainability at Walmart, where he led environmental and sustainable business practices. Matt is known for his commitment to corporate responsibility, environmental protection, and building strong leadership teams.

On LinkedIn, Matt said: “As a leader and executive, my desire is to inspire transformational change while consistently delivering business results and staying true to my passions for environmental sustainability, customer centricity and the development of talent.”

What is the Water Resilience Coalition?

The WRC is a CEO-led initiative created by the United Nations Global Compact and the Pacific Institute. Its mission is to reduce global water stress and make water accessible for everyone, especially in the most water-stressed areas.

The Coalition is working toward these goals:

• Impact 100+ water-stressed basins by 2030

• Provide water access, sanitation, and hygiene to over 300 million people

• Achieve net positive water impact in 150 basins by 2050

Backed by Major Global Brands

The Water Resilience Coalition is supported by major corporations such as:

• Starbucks

• Meta

• PepsiCo

• Coca-Cola

• Danone

• Mars

These companies are working together to protect freshwater resources and reduce business risks caused by water scarcity, pollution, and climate change.

Why Water Matters Now

According to the Pacific Institute, more than 2.2 billion people around the world still do not have access to safe drinking water. Experts estimate that $1 trillion is needed by 2030 to sustainably manage water worldwide.

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Global Compact, warned: “Some $300 billion in business value is at risk due to water scarcity, pollution and climate change. It is vital the corporate sector invest now to protect this natural asset.”

About the Pacific Institute

The Pacific Institute is a nonprofit focused on water security and climate resilience. For over 35 years, it has produced science-based research and tools to help communities and businesses solve urgent water challenges.

Their goal is to ensure people, economies, and ecosystems have the water they need now and in the future.