Most solutions brought to bear in third world areas follow the best practices, as determined in laboratories and academic environments in first-world regions. Most of the time, the solutions are generated based on the knowledge and understanding of the needs of the creators themselves, and not the needs of the communities in which they'll operate. This can lead to misunderstandings, waste, and incredible missed opportunities as NGOs often deliver solutions that are inappropriate for the context in which they'll be used, rendering them all but ineffective.

Chris Bessenecker learned early in his career, while working for the Peace Corps in Honduras, just how important it is to design solutions, based on the input, needs, and culture, of the local community. By using a human-centered approach, and some good old fashioned grit and determination, Chris helped develop solutions while in the field, that helped solve local challenges far more effectively than solutions developed in a lab ever could.

Upon leaving the Peace Corps, Chris joined Project Concern International (PCI), where he continued his work in development. With the support of the organization's leadership, and some forward-thinking philanthropists, Chris created a whole department within PCI, dedicated to fostering innovation in every aspect of the organization - from their work in the field, to office environments, to fundraising, and everthing in between.