We recently connected with Sean Kappauf and have shared our conversation below.

Sean, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

It all began with a single child, Bryan, who captured my heart during a visit to El Salvador in August 2013. Spending time with Bryan and his mother, I was deeply saddened to learn about the illnesses, intestinal parasites, and worms that plagued him and many other children in the community due to contaminated water. Instead of feeling defeated, I felt a surge of determination to make a difference.

The very next day, I started researching potential solutions. The community had access to water, so they didn’t need a well—in fact, they already had one, but it was contaminated. What they needed was a way to treat their water. That’s when I discovered a filter manufactured by Sawyer, a company in Safety Harbor, Florida. Their hollow fiber membrane filter removes 99.99% of bacteria, parasites, cysts, and protozoa—the exact contaminants affecting the community.

I consulted with other NGOs that had used this filter in the field to gather best practices. I learned that building relationships with local leaders was crucial. By demonstrating the filter to them and allowing them to determine the best distribution method, we could ensure community buy-in and effective implementation.

We implemented a plan with the local leaders, who then distributed the filters, educating the community on their use and maintenance. We also established a follow-up process to ensure the filters were used correctly and consistently.

The results were remarkable. Bryan received clean water and no longer suffers from worms or bacterial infections. As word spread, neighboring communities also requested filters. This inspired me to find funding for wider distribution, leading to the birth of One ATTA Time. In April 2014, I formalized our organization as a 501(c)(3) with the mission of providing more families with access to clean drinking water.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Sean Kappauf, and I am the Executive Director of One ATTA Time, an international non-profit organization that provides water filtration kits to families worldwide, helping them avoid waterborne illnesses. Each filter we provide gives a family up to ten years of clean drinking water. I have been working in the non-profit sector for over 15 years. I began as a pastor and stepped down from my church position in August 2018 to run our humanitarian non-profit full-time.

What I am most proud of is our team. Every day, our dedicated staff and volunteers around the globe are deeply committed to building relationships and making the world a better place. There is so much hardship in the world, and being a source of love and kindness to those in need is a joy. Helping families with such a simple yet effective tool—the water filter—is incredibly gratifying. It often feels hopeless when it comes to helping others, but with the Sawyer filter, we provide instant access to clean water, and the results are incredible. In just a few days, people suffering from water-related illnesses begin to heal and no longer have to suffer. What a gift.

While we are a non-profit that focuses on filtering water for people in need, we recognize our shared humanity. We are all in need, we all long to be loved, seen, and accepted. That is what we aim to do with everyone we encounter: to remind people how loved they are and to continue leading from that place.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning is something I prioritize regularly, recognizing that we all have our blind spots. Living in Southern Orange County, an area often likened to Disneyland compared to the rest of the world, I am profoundly grateful to have grown up and continue to live in such a beautiful place. However, this privilege brings its own set of blind spots. Locally, we refer to venturing beyond our area as “leaving the Orange curtain.”

Through my travels, I’ve learned the importance of being sensitive to other cultures, understanding their history, learning about the United States’ past relationships with those countries, and taking the time to truly listen to others. The essence of unlearning lies in maintaining a teachable spirit, remaining eternally curious, and being conscious of our own biases.

I have intentionally surrounded myself with people who are different from me. For instance, my board comprises exceptional leaders diverse in socioeconomic status, ethnicity, age, business background, and gender. This diversity enriches our discussions, allowing us to approach problems and visions with a broader perspective and a more inclusive approach.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One book that has profoundly influenced my approach to leadership is “Leading with a Limp” by Dan B. Allender. The core premise of the book is that the most effective leaders are those who embrace their flaws and resist the urge to maintain a façade of perfection. Instead, they courageously navigate chaos, complexity, and even failure to transform their organizations from their current state to their potential.

From this book, I learned several key principles:

Embracing Weaknesses: Recognizing and accepting one’s own weaknesses can be a source of strength and authenticity, fostering trust and genuine connections.

The Power of Brokenness: True power often comes from brokenness, relying on a deeper strength beyond oneself. This approach encourages humility and reliance on greater purposes.

Building Diverse Teams: Surrounding oneself with a diverse array of perspectives helps address blind spots and promotes a more comprehensive approach to problem-solving and vision implementation.

In essence, this book is a call for leaders to be genuine, humble, and open to learning from their imperfections. It offers a refreshing perspective on leadership that values integrity and the power of vulnerability over traditional notions of control and invulnerability.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oneattatime.org
• Instagram: oneattatime
• Facebook: oneattatime
• Linkedin: seankappauf
• Youtube: oneattatime5051