Joel Trumbo’s work has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to caring for both people and the natural world.

With over 35 years of experience as an environmental scientist, Joel built a career grounded in stewardship — studying the impact of human activity on ecosystems and working to protect wildlife habitats across California. But over time, that same sense of responsibility expanded beyond local landscapes to a global context.

A Career in Environmental Stewardship

Joel spent the majority of his professional life with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he worked extensively on pesticide impacts on wildlife and the management of invasive plant species within sensitive habitats.

He eventually served as a project manager overseeing more than 1,000,000 acres of public land across approximately 700 properties — a role that required not only scientific expertise, but also strategic oversight, coordination, and long-term planning.

This work shaped the way Joel thinks: systems-based, grounded in evidence, and focused on sustainability.

A Turning Point Toward Global Impact

While Joel’s early career focused on environmental stewardship within California, his involvement in global water initiatives began through his connection with H2O4All.

In 2015, alongside Tim Muttoo, he co-founded One Drop Global (previously known as H2O4All USA) and helped establish a U.S.-based branch dedicated to expanding clean water access in underserved communities.

What began as a step into global work became a defining chapter of his life.

Leadership and Contribution

Over the past decade, Joel has served as Executive Director, bringing leadership across strategy, administration, and finance, while also contributing his scientific background to field-based decision-making.

His ability to integrate technical understanding with organizational leadership has helped guide the growth and stability of the work over time.

A Philosophy Rooted in Compassion

At the core of Joel’s work is a simple but deeply held belief: that each person carries a responsibility to care for others and for the world.

For some, that responsibility is expressed locally. For others, it extends globally. For Joel, it has become both.

He is motivated by compassion, kindness, and the belief that, regardless of geography, people everywhere share a desire for peace, security, and well-being.

Joel lives in Roseville, California, where he enjoys time with his two sons and five grandchildren.

Outside of his professional work, he spends time gardening, hiking, and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains — continuing a lifelong connection to the natural world that first shaped his career.

Continuing the Mission

Today, Joel remains closely connected to the mission he helped build.

As One Drop Global continues to grow and evolve, his perspective — grounded in science, stewardship, and compassion — continues to shape its direction and long-term vision.