Drew McCartor

For more than 20 years, Drew McCartor has worked with governments to reduce toxic pollution and tackle childhood lead poisoning. Today, as President and CEO of Pure Earth, he leads one of the world’s foremost organisations dedicated to protecting children from preventable environmental harm.

Originally trained as a lawyer, McCartor chose to focus on public health instead. Since then, he has worked across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, helping governments identify pollution sources, clean up contaminated sites and strengthen environmental policy. Rather than simply highlighting problems, he develops practical solutions that countries can implement and sustain.

That approach has transformed Pure Earth. Under McCartor’s leadership, the organisation has tripled its annual budget and expanded its work across 17 geographies. It has also secured major support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Yield Giving, Coefficient Giving and TED’s Audacious Project. As a result, more countries are strengthening lead surveillance, removing toxic hazards and protecting millions of children from lifelong harm.

Yet McCartor is best known for his perspective. He argues that lead poisoning remains one of the world’s greatest hidden public health crises. Unlike many global challenges, however, the solutions already exist. Better data, stronger partnerships and sustained government action can dramatically reduce exposure and save millions of lives.

As a TED speaker, Drew McCartor turns complex science into clear, compelling stories. He explains why toxic pollution continues to affect billions of people. He also explores how AI, better data and evidence-based policymaking will reshape environmental health. Along the way, he offers practical lessons on leadership, philanthropy and building partnerships that deliver measurable impact.

Whether speaking to policymakers, business leaders or investors, Drew leaves audiences with a renewed sense of possibility. His message is both urgent and optimistic: one of the world’s deadliest public health crises can be solved, and the path forward is already within reach.