Brian Richter is confident that market forces can control the flow of water, but only if we have good governance. As Chief Scientist of Water Markets for The Nature Conservancy, Richter promotes sustainable water use and management with governments, corporations and local communities. To work with these clients, he draws from his extensive experience as a river project consultant and water advisor to some of the world's largest corporations and investment banks. Furthering his ambitious water goals, Richter developed a piece of software that is being used by water managers and ecologists worldwide.

Richter teaches a course on Water Sustainability at the University of Virginia. He is the author of Chasing Water: A Guide for Moving from Scarcity to Sustainability.