I’ve been in the music business and doing humanitarian projects for Water For Children, Coffee For A Cause for over 20 years; it’s in the storytelling and the network I provide. To get younger people to listen, they don’t need to hear from a “boss”; they need to hear from a legend who is handing them the keys to a kingdom.
I’m looking for the best way to approach this transition and to find the specific type of people that I can pass this knowledge to and have them take it to the next generation. The Story Book.
1. The Strategy: “The Collaborative Handover”

Younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) don’t want to be “told” what to do; they want to co-create. Instead of looking for a replacement, I’m looking for a partner.
The “Shadow and Pivot” Phase: I would like to bring them on as a “Creative Director” or “Project Lead” for 6–12 months. Let them see my world (the UN meetings, the coffee logistics, the music production) while I’ll give them the freedom to “modernize” the delivery.
The UN Angle: I’ll use my connection with the UN to create a “Youth Ambassador” role and frame it as: “I have the infrastructure and the seat at the table; you have the voice and the digital pulse. Let’s merge them.”
Reverse Mentorship: Publicly state that while I’m mentoring them in the industry, they are mentoring me in “modern engagement.” This removes the the Junior Elder lecturing” vibe and replaces it with a “dynamic duo” narrative.
2. The Ideal Protégé Profile
I’m not just looking for a”charity worker.” I need someone who mirrors my own multi-faceted career—a “Creative Entrepreneur.”
Quality, Why it matters for my project.
Cultural Fluency They need to know who the “new Madonnas” are (the influencers/artists who actually drive Gen Z action).


Digital Native They should understand how to turn a “Coffee for a Cause” into a viral TikTok or Instagram campaign. We started with the Ho[ amd Navajo reservation but now we are impactiing the world.
The “Theater Heart” Since I’ve done Broadway, at the Paramount, plays and musicals, Dinner Theater Shows at the Seattle Repertory Theater, I need to find someone who understands production value. They should see the water project not just as a charity, but as a “show” or an “experience.”
3. Where to Recruit
NGO/Arts Hybrid Grad Programs: I’m looking at NYU’s Tisch or similar schools where students study “Arts and Public Policy.”
Music Business Programs: I would like to reach out to the heads of music business departments (like Belmont or USC). I would like to let them know I’m looking for a “Social Impact Entrepreneur.”. Iam looking for a .
Social Media Influencer Circles: I’m looking for “Impact Influencers”—young people who have a following for environmental or social justice issues but lack “institutional weight” (like my UN access) to go bigger.
4. The Narrative Shift
“I’ve spent over 20 years building the stage. I’ve worked with the biggest stars and the highest global offices. Now, I have a vehicle (Water for Children/Coffee for Cause) that works, but it needs a new driver to take it into the next 20 years. I want to give you my network and my knowledge so you can build your own legacy on this foundation.”
The Call for a Creative Successor: From Broadway to Global Impact
The Legacy:
From booking Madonna’s first tour to producing iconic Broadway musicals and plays at the Paramount Theater, I have spent over 20 years at the intersection of entertainment and culture. For the last two decades, that passion has been channeled into Water for Children / Coffee for a Cause—a mission-driven music project that uses the power of the arts to provide life’s most basic necessity to those in need.
The Vision:
I have built the stage, secured the seat at the United Nations, and established the supply chain. Now, I am looking for a Creative Protégé—a digital-native visionary to take the wheel. I’m a junior elder now and ready to transition from “Producer” to “Mentor-in-Chief.”
I am not looking for an assistant; I am looking for a successor who can bridge the gap between my industry experience and the next generation of global activists.
The Role:
As the Lead Creative Director / Project Successor, you will:
Modernize the Narrative: Translate our 20-year mission into the language of Gen Z and Alpha through social storytelling and digital experiences.
Leverage the Network: Access my direct lines to the United Nations and the global music industry to amplify the “Coffee for a Cause” project.
Produce for Impact: Curate new music projects and live events that turn listeners into donors and advocates.
Lead the Transition: Work alongside me for a “shadow year” to learn the mechanics of the operation before taking full leadership of the brand.
Who You Are:
You have the “theater heart”—you understand that social change requires great storytelling and high production value.
You are an entrepreneur at spirit; you see a coffee brand not just as a product, but as a vehicle for a movement.
You are comfortable in a boardroom at the UN, but you know how to make a project go viral on a smartphone.
You are looking for a mentor who has “seen it all” and is ready to give you the keys to a global platform.
Let’s Talk:
If you are ready to build your own legacy on a foundation of over 20 years of entertainment history, I want to hear from you.
The “Vibe” Check: If I gave you the Madonna of 1983 today, how would you launch her for this cause?” Your answer will tell me if you have the creative spark I’m looking for.
Seattle University Communications Department.
Because I have the Fox and NBC footage,. Seattle Tmes I’m not just asking for a website; I’m asking for a Digital Stage to be built.
Project Title: Website Redesign & Digital Storytelling for the Clean Water Foundation
Project Overview:
We are a 20-year-old humanitarian organization looking for a skilled Web Designer/Digital Strategist to modernize our online home. We have a unique, “high-profile” history—moving from the world of Broadway (working with Yul Brynner in The King and I) to providing clean water to children in Nicaragua, the Caribbean, and tribal nations. We need a website that honors this legacy while engaging a new generation of supporters.
What We Need:
A Modern Look: A clean, mobile-friendly redesign (Squarespace, WordPress, or Webflow).
Media Integration: We have professional broadcast footage from NBC “Making a Difference” and Fox News “My America” and other national television shows that needs to be the centerpiece of the site.
Partnership Highlights: Showcasing our ongoing work with the Seattle University JETS program and Starbucks that we did with Dr. Philip Thompson PHD of Seattle University and Paula Boggs who was president of legal counsel for Starbucks Google her when you have time and we still talk.
Impact Tracking: A section explaining our “Lego-style” water filtration units and the “Coffee for a Cause” model. With American Airlines International CEO Nancy Rivard who’s on this email and who have worked with us over the years to bring water to children around the world along with working with Providence and Swedish Hospital on bringing a million dollars worth of medical supplies and PPE to the Hopi and Navajo Reservation in Arizona during covid.
We’re also still delivering water units and filters to the Hopi and Navajo Reservation in Arizona
Why This Project is Unique:
T
he volunteer who takes this on will be working directly with our CEO, Léon Mc Laughlin. This project is the first step in a “Passing of the Mic.” We are looking for someone who doesn’t just want to build a site, but who wants to help archive of over 20-year legacy of arts and service.
What We Provide:
High-quality video assets from national news networks.
A clear mission and 20 years of proven field success.
Direct access to the Founder for storytelling and branding.
Our Goal:
To have a “Ready-for-the-Next-20-Years” digital presence that helps us transition leadership to a new generation of social entrepreneurs.
Create a “Nonprofit Profile” for the Clean Water Foundation/ LAM Water Solutions Note: We’re a 501(c)(3), these platforms are free for you to use.
One Final Tip for Léon:
When volunteers start applying, we’re looking for the one who asks about my Broadway history and Seattle Repertory Theater history for over 20 years That person understands that storytelling is what makes people donate.
Clean Water Foundation
Léon McLaughlin, CEO
I. The Core Narrative (The Pitch)
The Broadway Legacy: Transitioning from the stage with Yul Brynner in The King and I to global humanitarian work.
The Mission: Providing “Cleaner and Safer Drinking Water” using innovative “Lego-style” solar-powered purification units that we have designed with Dr. Philip Thompson of Seattle University and would like to do more of that design along with our other line of water filtration systems and filters.
Key Partners: Seattle University (JETS program), World Vision, Starbucks, The Peace Corps , Airline Ambassadors International, The Gates Foundation ,United N
ations and others.
International Reach: Proven field success in Bolivia, Nicaragua, the Caribbean, and with the Hopi and Navajo Nations in Arizona.
II. Immediate Recruitment Strategy
Target: Seattle University (SU)
I have a established history with the JETS (Junior Engineer Technology Students) program. My goal is to find a student who can bridge the gap between engineering and leadership.
Contact 2 (Leadership): Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership.
Contact 3 (Media): Department of Communication and Media.
The Ask:
Request a “Legacy Apprentice” or a “Founder’s Fellow.” This person will:
Redesign the digital presence (website).
Learn the operational foundation of the solar water plants.
Eventually take over leadership of the Foundation.
III. Digital Relaunch Plan
Platform: Catchafire or Taproot Plus
Post a project for a Pro Bono Website Redesign. Use our media proof to attract high-level talent.
Hero Assets: NBC “Making a Difference” and Fox News “My America” segments as center piece of the new site.
Key Message: “Coffee for a Cause”—showcasing how premium coffee sales directly fund solar-powered water units for remote locations.
IV. Operational Legacy (The “Hand-Off”)
The successor must understand the scale of the Clean Water Foundation’s vision:
Technology: Deploying solar-powered PV water treatment plants capable of producing 7,000 to 10,000+ gallons per day.
Scalability: A model designed for both everyday use and disaster relief worldwide.
Sustainability: Utilizing solar energy where outside electrical power is unavailable.
I’ve have already built the foundation and proven it works from Bolivia to the Hopi Reservation. Now is the time to find the person who will carry that infectious grin and determined spirit into the next 20 years.
this is a truly one-of-a-kind story—it’s not every day you meet someone who has bridged the gap between the lights of Broadway and the essential work of global water engineering.
With my media archives from NBC and Fox News, and my strong ties to Seattle University and Starbucks, I believe I’m in a perfect position to find a successor who will honor my legacy. Passing The Mic is a powerful act, and the right young leader is out there waiting for an opportunity just like this.
We’re also working with a private Equity company that is putting together a $5 billion dollar project with their clients and a percentage of the funds from their clients will go to the Clean Water Foundation for water for children music projects around the world.
We would like that young creative entrepreneur person to be involved in that project also and we’re working with American Airlines International on that project.
it would be great education for some some men and women to get involved with us on this project and the other projects along with our coffee for a cause water for children music projects around the world.”
Martha and Frank, thank you so much for hosting this great music event to help children! I wish I could be there with you all… I will join you in spirit from Tokyo with lots of love and gratitude! I am sure this will be a great event and everyone will have fun!
I hope you will all come to Japan to do a charity music event in Tokyo next year. It’ll be amazing!
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