Initiative

Water Leadership

Initiative

Recognizing the next generation of water leaders

Local political leaders shoulder the burden for upwards of 95% of water spending nationwide – in a very real sense they hold they keys to our water future. And a sustainable water future requires new leadership skills and perspectives.

WaterNow’s multi-faceted leadership initiative supports local water leaders in reinforcing several ways:

We are a network of over 900 members in 48 states, connecting decision makers dedicated to sustainability and resilience.
We elevate and celebrate rising utility stars with our Emerging Leader Awards.
We collaborate with the American Water Works Association on the Transformative Water Leadership Academy to provide essential training for Next Gen water leaders.
Our Project Accelerator provides a proving ground for emerging leaders ready to demonstrate their vision and skills.
Our Building Blocks of Trust program supports water decision makers connect with their communities and grow the relationships needed for success.

Emerging Leaders

WaterNow’s Emerging Leader Program recognizes, supports, and helps to advance Next Gen water leaders in their careers.

Meet the Leaders

Transformative Water Leadership Academy

TWLA is a 10-month training program for rising water utility professionals that focuses on the foundations of sustainable community leadership – how to integrate social, environmental, and financial concerns into water decision-making.

Meet TWLA

Transformative Water Leadership Academy | WaterNow

“I’ve worked with WaterNow for many years and can’t say enough about the great work they do. WaterNow is an excellent resource for all municipal elected leaders responsible for water services for their communities, especially those of us who are not water experts but are the ultimate decision makers on rates, infrastructure and affordability.” 

Hattie Portis-Jones

Council Member, City of Fairburn, Georgia
“I came to WaterNow through the Transformative Water Leadership Academy. Participating in TWLA helped prepare me for my role as Utilities Director, and reinforced in me that transformative leadership means taking holistic, community-centered approaches to managing water. WaterNow continues to support my journey as a water leader.”

Adam Steurer

Utilities Director, Hendersonville, North Carolina
“We’re excited to work with WaterNow on replacing lead service lines throughout the City! By removing financial and logistical hurdles to lead service line replacements, we’re aiming to enhance transparency and support long-term community well-being.”

Karyn Rittenhouse

Water Systems Manager, City of West Allis, Wisconsin
“WaterNow’s assistance with green infrastructure planning is helping Pittsburgh to invest in our community and our environment.”

Erika Strassburger

Councilmember, City of Pittsburgh, PA
“Receiving this award was incredibly uplifting and meaningful to me especially as a woman working in a male-dominated space. It also connected me with a cohort of really incredible, amazing people who received the award alongside me.”

Dani Morgutia

Emerging Leader Award recipient, 2025
“My nearly a decade as a WaterNow member has been truly invaluable. WaterNow is a wellspring of unique support and resources for City Council members who are elected to office and find that they are now the ultimate decision makers for their community’s water utilities.”

Pat Showalter

Councilmember, City of Mountain View, California