Shannon Abbott
Manager, Customer and Business Support
City of Calgary
Susan Ancel
Director of One Water Planning
EPCOR Water Services
Susan Ancel is the director of One Water Planning for EPCOR Water Services in Edmonton, Alberta. She is responsible for the development of strategic plans for the utility across the entire water cycle. In 2021 she was recognized with a Clean 50 award for her development of the Integrated Resource Plan for flood mitigation for Edmonton that considered capital and operational risk mitigation planning, as well as the interrelationships between utilities, insurance, disaster response agencies and the public. Susan is a mechanical engineer with over 35 years of experience in the municipal utility sector. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Canadian Water Network, the Climate Reality Project-Canada and numerous industry association committees with a primary focus on management and financial topics supporting effective utility governance.
Bruce Ander
President & CEO
Markham District Energy Inc.
Bruce Ander, P.Eng., has held the position of President & CEO since 2002 of Markham District Energy (MDE), a thermal energy utility owned by the City of Markham. MDE is recognized as a Canadian and international leader in the development of modern thermal networks, providing reliable, resilient and sustainable energy to Markham’s new urban centres.
Julia Baird
Canada Research Chair & Associate Professor
Human Dimension of Water Resources and Water Resilience
Brock University
Director, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
Julia Baird is a Canada Research Chair and associate professor in human dimensions of water resources and water resilience, and director of the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre at Brock University. She is a sustainability scientist. Her research is purpose driven — she aims to find solutions to real-world problems. Julia focuses on how we can improve our decision-making processes related to water for better outcomes, using resilience as a lens for her work. She is also interested in the potential of individuals to have system-wide impacts, and the role of their attitudes and behaviours on this potential for change, including a strong focus on empathy.
Yena Bassone-Quashie
PhD candidate
Toronto Metropolitan University
Yena, Bassone-Quashie, P.Eng, is a PhD candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has 13+ years of experience in academia and professional practice. Prior to undertaking her PhD, Yena worked for over seven years in engineering consulting, specializing in water resources engineering, stormwater management and drainage infrastructure design. She has significant applied research experience in both Canada and the Netherlands focused on climate adaptation in municipalities. Her current research focuses on integrating adaptive planning into Ontario municipal stormwater management policy and practice to increase climate adaptiveness and flood resilience.
Craig Bonneville
Director, Engineering and Technical Services
EPCOR Water Services
In his role as a director of engineering and technical Services, Craig reports to the SVP of EPCOR Water Services and oversees engineering, process support, laboratory and applied research functions.
Maya Buchanan
Assistant Vice President, Climate Scientist, and Adaptation Expert
WSP
Jeff Carmichael
Division Manager, Business Development
MetroVancouver
Jeff Carmichael has a PhD in environmental economics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He manages the business development team at Metro Vancouver in British Columbia, where he has worked for 17 years on energy recovery, climate change, wastewater and water research, and sustainability issues. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he teaches engineering economics, and business planning and environmental analysis for scientists.
Deb Chachra
Professor of Engineering
Olin College of Engineering
Deb Chachra, PhD, is the author of How Infrastructure Works: Inside the Systems That Shape Our World (2023). The book was recognized by Publishers Weekly as a ‘Best Book of 2023.’ Deb is also a professor of engineering at Olin College of Engineering near Boston, Massachusetts, where she was one of the earliest faculty members. She works primarily at the intersection of technology and culture.
Dale Cimolai
My name is Dale Reeves Cimolai
Anishinaabekwe with some English, Scot heritage as well. My heart, body and spirit have been connected to water all my life. From childhood I was raised, taught, supported and comforted by the waters of Lake Nipissing and Park’s Creek in North Bay, Ontario… my beloved home.
James Cooper
Global Director for Water
Arcadis
James (Jim) Cooper serves as the global director for water at Arcadis, with 20 years of experience as a certified operator, professional engineer and utility manager. Jim brings a passion for people enabled by technology, with an education background in civil engineering and AI. He brings deep industry relationships as chair of the American Water Works Association Engineering and Construction Division, advisory board member of BAYWORK, inaugural chair of the AWWA Digital Twins Committee, past co-chair of the Digital Twin Subgroup for SWAN, and chair of the Intelligent Water Infrastructure Committee at Virginia Tech University.
Nicola Crawhall
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Water Network
Nicola Crawhall is CEO of Canadian Water Network, a national non-partisan, not-for-profit that tackles complex water-related challenges that affect our communities, health and climate.
Lynnell Crone
Vice President, Alternative Contracts/Light Industrial
Bird Construction
Lynnell Crone, PMP, MBA, is vice president of Alternative Contracts and Light Industrial at Bird Construction, and past president of Integrated Project Delivery Alliance. She has enjoyed a dynamic, 30+ year career in project management and professional engineering, having worked on several multi-billion dollar projects in the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry. Most recently, she has held executive leadership roles on manufacturing and environmental projects. She is passionate about integrated project delivery and the value it brings to owners, consultants and contractors, as well as the job satisfaction it brings to everyone who works on these types of projects.
Lou Di Gironimo
General Manager, Toronto Water
City of Toronto
Ian Dyck
Senior Vice President and Water Business Line Leader
AECOM
Ian Dyck is the senior vice president, water business line leader at AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, which delivers professional services throughout the project lifecycle — from advisory, planning, design and engineering, to program and construction management.
Tom Edge
Adjunct Professor
McMaster University
Tom Edge is an adjunct professor at McMaster University applying molecular and genomics technologies to advance assessment of water quality. He is the founder of a social enterprise, Edge-Water DNA Inc., applying DNA technologies to better identify sources of pollution contaminating stormwaters and aquatic ecosystems across Canada. Tom also serves as Canadian co-chair of the International Joint Commission’s Health Professionals Advisory Board. Previously, he worked in the Canada’s federal departments of environment and foreign affairs for over 30 years on biotechnology/genomics policy and regulations in Ottawa, and as a water research scientist and research manager at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington. Tom holds a PhD in environmental microbiology and has 100+ scientific publications on aspects like waterborne pathogens and microbial source tracking.
Marco Fontana-Giusti
Vice President, Municipal Water & Waste
Veolia
Marco Fontana-Giusti is a distinguished and dedicated leader with over 30 years of experience at Veolia, having held a variety of key operational and support roles across Europe, Australia and Canada. As vice president of municipal water and waste, he is responsible for overseeing all municipal operations and maintenance projects, driving operational excellence and ensuring client satisfaction. Known for his outstanding leadership and relationship-building skills, Marco has established a loyal network of clients and stakeholders, reinforcing Veolia’s reputation in the municipal services sector. His extensive expertise encompasses municipal and industrial water, wastewater and waste operations, positioning him as a vital contributor to large-scale infrastructure projects. His impressive track record of success reflects his ability to deliver strategic solutions across diverse markets. From April 2017 until the merger with Veolia, Marco led SUEZ’s Canadian operations. With his broad expertise and visionary leadership, Marco continues to drive innovation and progress in municipal services worldwide.
Michele Grenier
Executive Director
OWWA
Michele Grenier, P.Eng., is a recognized leader and advocate for sustainable water management in Ontario. As Executive Director of the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA), she champions initiatives that strengthen water quality, infrastructure resilience and professional excellence across the province’s water sector.
Kavita Heyn
Manager, Adaptive Planning, Demand Management & Climate Division
Portland Water Bureau
Kavita Heyn is the adaptive planning, demand management and climate division manager at the Portland Water Bureau. In this role, Kavita leads and oversees the utility’s long-range demand, water supply, and climate forecasting and planning efforts. She helped to initiate, and now facilitates, the utility’s adaptive planning process, which convenes internal teams of water resource, planning, operations, engineering and financial experts to regularly evaluate water supply system conditions, prioritize water supply projects, and pivot in response to emerging stressors, with the goal of making the right investments at the right time.
Daryl Keleher
Principal
Keleher Planning & Economic Consulting Inc.
Daryl Keleher, MCIP, is a registered professional planner and professional land economist. He is currently in private practice at Keleher Planning & Economic Consulting Inc. (KPEC).
KPEC undertakes consulting assignments for a mix of public and private sector clients on a range of files, including preparation of planning studies in support of development applications, bespoke and customized economic analysis and research studies, and expert witness work related to land use planning and municipal finance matters.
Lon LaClaire
General Manager, Engineering Services
City of Vancouver
Lon LaClaire, M.Eng, P.Eng., is the general manager of engineering services at the City of Vancouver and is passionate about “city building.” With 2,200 staff and an annual operating budget of $500 million, and a further $300 million in capital expenditure, Lon is responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of this world class city’s public works infrastructure.
Bu Lam
Director, Sanitary & Stormwater Utilities
City of Kitchener
Bu Lam brings nearly two decades of experience to his current role as Director of Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities at the City of Kitchener. In his current role, he focuses on integrating technological and business innovations with sustainable community services. Bu contributes to several national committees focused on the development of water management best practices.
Stephanie LeBlanc
Senior Manager, Information & Technology Services
Halifax Water
Stephanie LeBlanc is the senior manager of information and technology services at Halifax Water. With a robust portfolio, she oversees strategy and delivery through a project management office for an array of critical domains such as cybersecurity, architecture, infrastructure, data and analytics, automation and artificial intelligence, enterprise and business applications, operational technology and innovation, including cutting-edge technologies like drones, digital twin and the metaverse.
Kelly Lendsay
President & CEO, Indigenous Works
Chief Executive & Transformation Officer, Luminary
Kelly Lendsay, MBA, CAFM, is a Cree-Métis leader and social entrepreneur. He is internationally recognized as one of Canada’s foremost innovators and organizational development experts in Indigenous engagement and workplace inclusion systems, models and corporate/Indigenous partnerships.
Corinne Lynds
Editor, Water Canada
Vice President, Actual Media
With more than two decades of experience leading B2B editorial teams and content strategy, Corinne Lynds is a recognized leader in the Canadian water industry. As editor of WATER Canada and vice president of content and partnerships at Actual Media, she oversees editorial and content operations across the infrastructure, water and environment sectors. She travels globally to moderate critical discussions on key water challenges, bringing together experts and emerging professionals to foster a stronger, more diverse water sector. Corinne has worked with all of Canada’s largest publishing companies and is passionate about humanizing highly technical stories to engage business audiences.
Nancy Mackay
Director of Water Services
City of Calgary
With 23 years of water utility management experience, Nancy is passionate about connecting people and science to protect public health and the environment. She is focused on maintaining the highly regulated and valued essential drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services that one-third of Albertans count on at the City of Calgary.
Eleanor McAteer
Director, Water Infrastructure Management
Toronto Water
Eleanor McAteer, P.Eng., MBA, has been the director of water infrastructure management (WIM) at Toronto Water since 2019. The WIM section is responsible for long-term management of the City’s water, wastewater and stormwater management assets to optimize infrastructure investment, level of service and performance for linear assets, and to determine capacity requirements for facilities.
Laura Mirabella
Commissioner of Finance; Regional Treasurer
Regional Municipality of York
Laura Mirabella is a distinguished financial executive with over 25 years of experience spanning public and private sector finance. As commissioner of finance and regional treasurer for the Regional Municipality of York, she oversees strategic fiscal planning, governance and financial reporting. Laura is currently serving her second term as chair of the Ontario Regional and Single Tier Treasurers, underscoring her commitment to advancing excellence in municipal financial management across Ontario.
Cheryl Nelms
General Manager, Project Delivery
MetroVancouver
Cheryl Nelms is the general manager of project delivery at Metro Vancouver, leading a $20B capital program. She holds more than 20 years of experience delivering multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects, public private partnerships and utility operations across all levels of government. Cheryl is a professional engineer, holds a PhD in civil engineering and is committed to increasing diversity in our industry and supporting the next generation of professionals. She is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and has been teaching Project Management for more than 10 years.
Nicole Newton
Manager, Natural Environment and Adaption
City of Calgary
Nicole Newton is the Manager of Natural Environment and Adaptation in Climate and Environment at The City of Calgary. She brings over 15 years of progressive leadership experience, complemented by her academic background, which includes an MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management from the University of Oxford and an executive master’s degree in Business Administration. In her current role, Nicole is responsible for advancing the sustainability of Calgary’s natural environment, enhancing ecosystem services and strengthening climate resilience. She leads the development and implementation of strategic plans, policies and programs focused on climate adaptation, food security, environmental protection and community-based education initiatives. She directs efforts in water management, including source water protection, drought management and water security, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for Calgary.
Gen Nielsen
Director of Water Facilities & Treatment Services
City of Ottawa
Elvis Oliveira
Director of Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Planning, Partnerships & Compliance
Peel Region
Elvis Oliveira is the director of water and wastewater infrastructure planning, partnerships and compliance for the Region of Peel. He has over 34 years of experience in municipal water and wastewater operations, He begin his career as a water treatment plant operator and steadily advancing into leadership roles, where he has taken on increasing responsibilities and led major initiatives.
Anthony Parente
General Manager, Water and Wastewater
Region of Peel
Anthony Parente, P.Eng., is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) in Civil Engineering. He spent seven years in consulting, where he worked on the redevelopment of Pearson Airport in Toronto. Anthony joined the Region of Peel in 2001 and became the General Manager of Water and Wastewater in 2019. He oversees Peel’s new water and wastewater organizational structure, which is comprised of Engineering Services, Operations and Infrastructure Planning Divisions.
Kate Polkovsky
CEO
Arrow Utilities
David Ponder
Director of Climate Action
US Water Alliance
David Ponder is the director of climate action at the U.S. Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting policies and programs that promote a sustainable water future for all. In his current role, David leads efforts to address climate change, increase resilience and decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the water sector.
Tim Reeder
Advisor, London Climate Ready Partnership
Senior Consultant, Climate Sense
Tim Reeder, BSc, CSci, FCIWEM, has fifty years’ experience in the environmental field and has been involved in climate change issues for most of that time. He has contributed to many national and international reports. He is currently an advisor to the London Climate Ready partnership, which he helped to set up.
Michele Samuels
Client Solutions Manager, Canada
Xylem
Tim Shanks
Director of Water and Waste
City of Winnipeg
Tim Shanks, P.Eng, M.Eng, is the director of the water and waste department at the City of Winnipeg.
The water and waste department is responsible for the City’s water, sewer and solid waste utilities. They provide supply and distribution of drinking water, collection and treatment of wastewater, management of land drainage and flood control, collection and disposal of solid waste, and recycling services. Current major capital projects include a multi-billion-dollar sewage plant upgrade at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre and a city-wide replacement of water meters to enable AMI technology.
Alex Shannon
Senior VP, West Region Water Business Line Leader
WSP
Emma Shen
Global Principal – Wastewater Energy Optimization and Sector Decarbonization
Jacobs
Dr. Ruqiao (Emma) Shen is an expert in wastewater treatment plant performance assessments and process upgrades evaluation, process modelling and energy optimization. She leads a Jacobs team at the forefront of the global conversation about the paradigm shift toward a low-carbon, low-energy and climate-resilient water sector.
Matti Siemiatycki
Professor of Geography and Planning
University of Toronto
Matti Siemiatycki is director of the Infrastructure Institute and professor of geography and planning at the University of Toronto. His work focuses on delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, evidence–based infrastructure investment decisions, and the effective integration of infrastructure into the fabric of cities. Matti’s recent studies explore transit policy decisions, the value for money of public-private partnerships, the development of innovative mixed-use buildings as a form of place based infrastructure policy, and the diversity gap in the infrastructure industry workforce. Matti consults widely on infrastructure policy and is a frequent media commentator on infrastructure and city planning.
Denina Simmons
Associate Professor Canada Research Chair (Tier II)
Ontario Tech University
Ricky Soni
Director, Management Consulting
KPMG
Ricky has focused much of his career helping municipalities and their utilities improve their operational and financial performance. He began his career with Stantec, where he provided front-end business analysis to large scale utility projects, and is now a Director and Cities lead in Alberta for KPMG. Today he works with municipalities and utilities to support change and transformation across people, processes and technologies. Ricky holds two masters degrees, is a CFA and Project Management Professional. Ricky is also a proud board member and the Treasurer of the Canadian Water Network.
Rob Spackman
Principal
Confluence Advisory
Emily Stahl
Manager, Technical Services & Source Water Protection
City of Guelph
As manager of Technical Services and Source Water Protection risk management official at the City of Guelph’s water utility, Emily Stahl leads a dedicated technical team that supports the operational division. Her responsibilities include the management of capital programs, hydrogeology, water supply management and planning, and source water protection. Given Guelph’s reliance on groundwater for its municipal water supply, Emily’s role is crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability and protection of this vital resource.
David Szeptycki
Director, Sustainability, Communications & Innovation
Public Works, York Region
David Szeptycki has built a distinguished career spanning over two decades with The Regional Municipality of York, holding various leadership roles within environmental services, and more recently, within public works. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Arts in computer science from Algoma University. David also has a master’s certificate in municipal management, public administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University and a post-grad diploma in public administration political science from Western University.
Jessica Thornton
Co-President
Creative Futures Studio Inc.
Using applied strategic foresight, Jessica helps organizations make informed decisions about their future. Jessica is a futurist, researcher, strategist, social innovator and designer with experience in the public and non-profit sectors.
Carl Yates
President
Yates Water Management Inc.
Carl Yates, MASc, P.Eng., has over 35 years of experience in the water utility profession and served as project engineer, chief engineer and general manager of Halifax Water. In 1996, Carl oversaw the expansion of services to a regional utility, concurrent with metro Halifax municipal amalgamation. In 2008, he oversaw the formation of the first regulated water, wastewater and stormwater utility in Canada. In 2020, Carl was appointed interim CEO of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority, the first water utility in Canada owned and operated by First Nations, to serve First Nations.