Doc Hendley

Founder of Wine To Water, Global Humanitarian, and CNN Hero

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In-Person Fee Range:

$20,001 - $30,000

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Traveling from:

North Carolina

Speaker Reel

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Topics

Social Entrepreneur & Causes Inspirational Speakers Motivational

Doc Hendley

Founder of Wine To Water, Global Humanitarian, and CNN Hero

Add To My Favorites Check Fee/Availability

In-Person Fee Range:

$20,001 - $30,000

Fee Details

Virtual Fee Range:

Inquire for Fee

Traveling from:

North Carolina

Why Book

Doc was selected as a CNN Hero in 2009 and Wine To Water has since worked in 50 countries and reached more than 1.4 million people with clean water.
Doc’s work has saved thousands of lives by providing humanity’s most basic need and right, clean water, and has inspired people from all walks of life.
Doc Hendley helps teams and organizations to harness their collective potential and inspire meaningful action through the power of one and shared purpose.

Biography

Doc Hendley is the Founder and President of Wine To Water, a global non-profit preserving life and dignity through the power of clean water. Wine To Water is committed to building a holistic, community-based model by supporting the life and dignity of all through the power of clean water. Their teams around the globe integrate strategies for social, environmental, and economic impacts through access to clean water.

Doc did not dream of dedicating his life to humanitarian efforts in developing countries. Far from it, in fact. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a communications degree that he wasn’t sure how to use. While bartending to pay the bills, he noticed the men and women sitting on the stools seemed to want to be part of something bigger. The 30-year-old Hendley got inspired behind the bar and traveled to Darfur, Sudan, and with the money raised, began installing water systems for victims of government-supported genocide.

In 2004 Hendley launched Wine To Water (W|W) from an idea that started with wine tastings and a humble donation jar. W|W radically transformed the process of bringing clean water to people in need anywhere in the world. To date, Wine To Water has dug, repaired, and sanitized drinking wells for nearly 2 million people in 53 countries. While developing water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions (WASH) in direct partnership with local leaders, WTW creates impact beyond water. This impact includes environmental sustainability, improved education, women’s empowerment, better healthcare, and economic growth.

For his life-saving work, Doc Hendley was named one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes for 2009 chosen from over 9,000 applicants by a panel of judges, including General Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Turner, and Sir Elton John.

Doc Hendley is the epitome of the individual who has made a difference. Because of Doc and his organization, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have access to clean drinking water. Hendley is proof that anyone, even a “tattooed keg-tapper,” can cure what ails the world.

Programs

Hell Or High Water: 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.

Digging for Hope: Turning Wine to Water & 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.

Turning Passion Into Action: 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.

Books

Wine to Water

Topics

Social Entrepreneur & Causes, Inspirational Speakers, Motivational,

Doc Hendley Reviews

“The feedback on Doc Hendley’s program was that he was the most inspiring speaker most of our guests had ever seen. I would definitely recommend him for another group.”

— Sysco

“There is one thing that rings true every time I get the pleasure of hearing Doc Hendley speak – his passion comes through and hits you like nothing you’ve ever experienced in your lifetime. It’s not just the way he interacts with the audience, a sort of down home person that you seem to already know even though you don’t, but it’s the message about improving who we are as people each and every day, and helping those who have difficulty helping themselves because of places they live in or the circumstances of their country. Doc brings that message of hope and seems to naturally lift every person out of their comfort chair and into the wilds of Africa or the devastation in Haiti right alongside him. You feel everything that he feels and see everything that he saw. We are just enamored to be part of his world in a small way and hoping to work with him to better our world in a meaningful way.”

— United Water

“Doc was not only charming and modest, he is one of the most inspiring speakers I have ever heard. He takes you on an emotional journey to communities whose living conditions are unimaginable to most of us, and his ability share his vision, his passion, his commitment and his excitement for his global mission has ignited a flame of passion in our membership as well. We have had the pleasure of Doc’s company at all of our events since that one last winter, and we have united behind him and his efforts to make a difference in the world. We are better people as the result of knowing Doc… We think Doc is indeed a “HERO”!”

— SITE SOUTHEAST

“Doc is a wonderful, sincere, person who has made a tremendous difference in the world. He sees himself as average, yet he has saved thousands of lives by raising awareness of the world’s plight of lack of clean drinking water. His powerful, moving story about how each of us has the power to make a difference in the world is one that will shake you to your foundation. Our audience of 300 school administrators was touched and inspired by this remarkable man. We were truly in the presence of greatness, wrapped in humilty and compassion. Thank you, Doc.”

— Orange County Public Schools

“Thanks again for participating in the Spectrum Health event last week. We have been hearing nothing but great comments about your presentation. Several people have approached me and said that it was the best keynote we have ever had for this event! Thanks again for such a powerful, motivational presentation!”

— Spectrum Health

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Doc Hendley?

Doc Hendley is a humanitarian, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and founder of Wine To Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean water access around the world. A former bartender and musician, Hendley gained international recognition as a 2009 CNN Hero for his work bringing sustainable water solutions to communities affected by poverty, disaster, and conflict. His inspiring journey from bartender to global humanitarian has made him a sought-after motivational and leadership speaker.

2. What does Doc Hendley speak about?

Doc Hendley speaks on resilience, leadership, social impact, humanitarian work, sustainability, overcoming adversity, purpose-driven leadership, teamwork, and turning passion into action. His keynote presentations often focus on entrepreneurship for social good, creating meaningful change, and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact through simple ideas and determination. Popular keynote topics include “Hell or High Water” and “Digging for Hope.”

3. What audiences is Doc Hendley best suited for?

Doc Hendley is best suited for corporate leadership teams, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, sustainability conferences, universities, faith-based organizations, sales teams, associations, and companies focused on corporate social responsibility and purpose-driven culture. His presentations resonate strongly with audiences seeking inspiration, leadership development, resilience strategies, and meaningful approaches to social impact and community engagement.

4. What makes Doc Hendley different from other business speakers?

What sets Doc Hendley apart is the authenticity and real-world impact of his story. Rather than coming from a traditional business or celebrity background, he transformed a simple fundraising idea into a global humanitarian movement that has helped millions gain access to clean water. His presentations combine emotional storytelling, firsthand experiences from conflict zones and disaster areas, practical leadership lessons, and a deeply relatable message that anyone can create change regardless of their background.

5. How do I book Doc Hendley for an event?

To check the speaker’s availability or request a quote, call 973-313-9800, email info@eaglestalent.com, or visit the speaker’s profile at EaglesTalent.com and complete the booking inquiry form.

6. What are Doc Hendley’s speaking fees?

Doc’s speaking fee varies depending on the event format, location, and specific requirements. To get an exact quote, contact Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau by calling 973-313-9800, emailing info@eaglestalent.com, or completing the Check Availability form on the speaker’s profile page.

7. Can Doc Hendley customize the keynote for my audience?

Yes. Doc Hendley customizes his keynote presentations to align with each audience’s goals, industry, and event theme. His tailored presentations frequently focus on leadership, resilience, teamwork, social responsibility, sustainability, innovation, and building purpose-driven organizations. He also offers interactive experiences connected to Wine To Water’s clean water mission.

8. What do audiences say about Doc Hendley’s presentations?

Audiences frequently describe Doc Hendley’s presentations as powerful, authentic, emotional, inspiring, and unforgettable. Event organizers consistently praise his storytelling ability, humility, audience connection, and message of hope and action. Many attendees say his keynote inspires them to rethink leadership, service, and their own ability to create meaningful change in the world.