How One Man Turned Wine Into Water And Transformed Customers Into Crusaders
Doc Hendley was once a small-town bartender with a dream of changing the world through clean water. Through a series of simple wine-tasting events to raise funds for clean-water projects that he launched in North Carolina, he has created an international fundraising organization that provides clean water and sanitation to people in need around the world.
In this speech, Hendley shares insights on how others can put simple ideas into action and use it to solve problems on the local, national, and international level.
Turning Wine To Water And Other Modern Day Miracles
In this inspirational keynote, Wine To Water founder Doc Hendley teaches audiences a simple but profound principle for improving the world: do what they can with what they have.
As the founder of an international fundraising organization that had humble origins, Hendley illustrates the immense power of relationships to transcend perceived barriers, proving the power of one to transform the impossible into the inevitable.
The Wine To Water Filter Build® Experience
Filter Builds engage participants as volunteers in a meaningful, impactful team-building experience that leads to the empowerment of communities around the globe through the power of clean water.
The WTW Filter Build® Experience offers a meaningful, hands-on approach to impacting communities worldwide with clean water. Whether your Filter Build® event is for a team of 25 or 14,000 co-workers and vendors meeting up at your global conference – this team-building, purpose-driven event is a great way to build relationships, purpose, and passion as you connect and give back.
Doc Hendley is a humanitarian, speaker, and the founder of Wine to Water, a global non-profit dedicated to providing clean water and sustainable solutions to communities in need. His journey from a small-town bartender to a world-changing humanitarian has inspired audiences across industries and continents.
What began as a simple fundraising idea—hosting wine events to support clean water projects—evolved into a movement that has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands across Africa, Asia, and South America. Under Doc’s leadership, Wine to Water has grown into an internationally respected organization focused on sustainable development, community empowerment, and human connection.
As a keynote speaker, Doc shares real-world stories of courage, compassion, and leadership in action. His talks challenge audiences to see that true impact begins with small, consistent acts of service. Authentic, humble, and deeply passionate, Doc brings hope and humanity to every stage, inspiring individuals and organizations to use their skills and resources for good.
Doc Hendley is the founder and president of Wine to Water, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean water to communities in need around the world, Doc has transformed the lives of countless individuals. His journey from a small-town bartender to a global humanitarian leader is both inspiring and humbling, demonstrating the profound impact one person can have when they dedicate their life to serving others. Doc’s work is not only about providing clean water but also about empowering communities and fostering sustainable development.
Doc’s powerful message of hope, resilience, and the ability to make a difference has resonated with audiences across the globe. He has become a sought-after keynote speaker, captivating audiences with his compelling story and inspiring them to take action in their own lives. Whether addressing corporate executives, non-profit organizations, or academic institutions, Doc’s authenticity and passion shine through, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who hears him speak.
Doc Hendley’s story began in the unlikeliest of places, a bar in Raleigh, North Carolina. As a bartender, Doc spent his nights serving drinks and his days searching for a greater purpose. It was during this time that he learned about the global water crisis, a problem that affects millions of people around the world. Moved by the stark reality that nearly 800 million people lack access to clean water, Doc decided to take action. He organized a series of wine-tasting events to raise money for clean water projects, a simple idea that would eventually grow into the global movement known as Wine to Water.
In 2004, Doc took his first trip to Darfur, Sudan, where he witnessed the devastating effects of the water crisis firsthand. This experience solidified his commitment to the cause and inspired him to expand his efforts. Under Doc’s leadership, Wine to Water has grown from a grassroots initiative into an internationally recognized organization that has provided clean water to over 1.4 million people in 45 countries. Doc’s hands-on approach, from digging wells to distributing water filters, has earned him the respect and admiration of communities around the world.
As a speaker, Doc Hendley’s authenticity and relatability set him apart. He speaks from the heart, drawing on his personal experiences to connect with his audience on a deep level. Doc’s message is one of hope and empowerment, encouraging individuals to believe in their ability to make a difference, no matter how small their actions may seem. His talks are not just about the global water crisis but also about the power of community, the importance of compassion, and the impact of taking action.
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See how Doc Hendley, CNN Hero and founder of Wine to Water, inspires global audiences with his story of courage, compassion, and leadership through service.
This 7-minute, 28-second speaker reel captures the heart and mission of Doc Hendley—a humanitarian, clean water advocate, and founder of Wine to Water. Through keynote excerpts, global footage, and audience reactions, the reel showcases Doc’s remarkable transformation from bartender to one of the world’s leading voices in sustainable humanitarian action.
The video opens with Doc recounting the origins of Wine to Water, a grassroots effort that began in a small bar and grew into an international movement providing clean water to millions. His storytelling is raw, authentic, and deeply human, emphasizing that leadership is not about titles or power—it’s about compassion and the courage to act.
As the reel progresses, viewers see Doc speaking on global stages, interacting with communities in need, and working alongside volunteers and local leaders. His message of resilience and service resonates through real-world footage of clean water projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Doc shares hard-won lessons from the field—navigating conflict zones, natural disasters, and the emotional toll of global aid work. Yet, his tone remains hopeful and empowering, reminding audiences that purpose and impact begin with individual choice.
The reel concludes with a powerful call to action: that every person, regardless of background, can help change the world—one drop, one act, one life at a time.
00:35 – Doc’s introduction: from bartender to humanitarian leader
01:25 – Early stories of hope and challenges in conflict regions
02:50 – Keynote highlights: lessons in leadership, empathy, and service
04:10 – Footage from field missions and community empowerment
05:35 – Reflections on resilience and the meaning of purpose
In his inspiring TEDxAsheville talk, Extraordinarily Ordinary, Doc Hendley shares how one person’s simple idea—using wine events to fund clean water projects—sparked a global movement that’s transforming lives.
In this 14-minute, 21-second TEDx talk, Doc Hendley, founder of Wine to Water and CNN Hero, delivers a heartfelt message about the extraordinary potential of ordinary people. With humility and humor, he shares how his life as a small-town bartender took an unexpected turn when he decided to help provide clean water to communities in crisis around the world.
Doc’s storytelling is raw, relatable, and deeply human. He begins by recounting the night he first imagined using his wine events to raise money for clean water projects—an idea that would later take him to conflict zones in Darfur and disaster sites across the globe. Along the way, he learned that true heroism isn’t defined by perfection or privilege, but by courage, empathy, and action.
Throughout the talk, Doc challenges the audience to reconsider what it means to make an impact. He reminds listeners that change doesn’t begin with expertise—it begins with willingness. Using vivid examples from his travels, he illustrates how community collaboration, local empowerment, and simple acts of kindness can ripple into lasting transformation.
By the end of his talk, Doc’s message is clear: ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they act from the heart. His story isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about showing up, one step and one drop of water at a time.
01:40 – How a bartender’s idea became a global clean water mission
04:20 – Stories from Darfur and lessons in compassion under pressure
07:15 – The transformative power of service and community collaboration
10:30 – Redefining leadership and impact through small acts
12:50 – Closing challenge: everyone has the power to create change
He speaks on leadership, resilience, humanitarian service, and building purpose-driven teams that create sustainable impact.
His transformation from bartender to global humanitarian shows how ordinary people can create extraordinary change through courage and compassion.
Corporate teams, educators, non-profits, and organizations seeking authentic, purpose-driven inspiration and actionable leadership lessons.
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