Transformative Water Leadership Academy
GREAT WATER UTILITY LEADERS AREN’T BORN; THEY'RE DEVELOPED.
The Transformative Water Leadership Academy (TWLA) is where the next generation of water utility leaders focus on the foundations of sustainable community leadership: how to integrate social, environmental, and financial concerns into important decisions about water utilities. TWLA is a collaborative program between AWWA and WaterNow Alliance.
This 10-month program addresses leadership for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, and water reuse. Participants will learn to balance short- and long-term priorities while creating value for all water stakeholders.
About TWLA
About TWLA
The Transformative Water Leadership Academy (TWLA) is a collaborative program of WaterNow Alliance and AWWA.
TWLA will prepare tomorrow’s utility leaders to address emerging water issues and opportunities and to guide utilities through positive transformation. In current times, all organizations (including utilities) must deliver on the triple bottom line: social, environmental, and financial performance. TWLA graduates will be empowered to meet this challenge.
Expanding the Water Workforce & Its Leadership
Much of the nation’s water infrastructure is in urgent need of repair, maintenance, and replacement. The skilled leadership and talent needed to complete this crucial work has been in short supply. Water utilities must reflect the communities they serve; it’s time to broaden the pipeline for the water community.
TWLA seeks participants representing a wide range of regions, lived and career experiences, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Together at TWLA, this cohort of leaders will learn to seek and value a range of perspectives when strategizing to serve community needs.
TWLA will cultivate purpose-driven water leadership by:
- Expanding the pool of qualified utility staff and leadership, to build a stronger water workforce.
- Fostering community-first utilities by instilling in leaders an awareness of, and abiding commitment to, everything it really takes to help communities thrive, by supporting a healthy environment.
- Clarifying a vision for the future. Participants will find and define their leadership objectives and turn ideas into actionable plans.
Measurable Outcomes
Better Leaders. Better Water. Stronger Communities.
By investing in yourself, the benefits of TWLA are shared widely.
Participant outcomes:
- An expansive network of water leaders across North America
- A clear path to professional advancement, promotion, and leadership role
- An abiding commitment to community-first leadership
Utility outcomes:
- An expanded pool of skilled, leadership-ready talent that reflects that communities it serves
- Enhanced retention via increased employee opportunity and recognition
- Innovative approaches to solving community and utility problems
Community outcomes:
- More sustainable, resilient, and economical water services
- Greater voice, visibility, and influence in water issues, from all parts of the community
- Stronger public trust in, and cooperation with, water utilities
- Improved management and stewardship of water and environmental resources
The TWLA Experience
The TWLA Experience
The TWLA cohort of 50 selected participants will convene from January through October. Participants must attend: 
- Two in-person sessions, each lasting three days
- 12 virtual sessions (2.5 hours each) throughout the program
- Four small group sessions (1.5 hours each) throughout the program
Learning experiences will include:
- Lectures and instructor-led discussion
- Small-group discussion and sharing
- Mentoring
- A capstone project or activity implementation
- 1-on-1 and peer mentoring
TWLA participants will have support to discover and define their personal leadership objectives and turn it into action, so they can lead with purpose. They will enjoy the support of staff, volunteers, and peers.
TWLA 2026 Cohort Schedule
| TWLA Course Topic | Type of Session | *Details | Dates |
| Leadership vs Management | Virtual | 2 sessions (2.5 hours each) | January 14 and 21 |
| Small Group | Virtual | 1 Session (1.5 hours) | Week of February 2-6 |
| Advancing the Water Workforce: Individual, Organizational, and Community Leadership | In-Person Workshop | 2.5 days (not including travel time) | February 25-27 |
| Protecting Public Health | Virtual | 2 Sessions (2.5 hours each) | March 11 and 18 |
| Small Group | Virtual | 1 Session (1.5 hours) | Week of April 13-17 |
| Strengthening Public Trust | Virtual | 2 Sessions (2.5 hours each) | May 13 and 20 |
| Safeguarding The Environment | Virtual | 2 Sessions (2.5 hours each) | June 17 and 24 |
| Small Group | Virtual | 1 Sessions (1.5 hours) | Week of July 20-24 |
| Inspiring Innovation | Virtual | 2 Sessions (2.5 hours each) | August 19 and 26 |
| Capstone Presentations and Wrap-Up | Virtual | 1 Sessions (1.5 hours) | Week of September 21-25 |
| Climate Resiliency: Think Global, Act Local | Virtual | 2 Sessions (2.5 hours each) | September 30 and October 7 |
| Graduation: Bringing It All Together | In-Person Workshop | 2.5 days (not including travel time) | October 21-23 |
Pillars of TWLA
These concepts form the foundation of TWLA:
- Community leadership. Expanding the pool of utility talent and leadership to reflect the broad spectrum of the communities utilities serve. Bringing together a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences strengthens utilities’ ability to provide drinking water, wastewater, stormwater management, and water reuse.
- Network. Expanding beyond their cohort, participants will also connect with the TWLA Collaborative: a body of nationally, regionally, and locally influential organizations representing marginalized or underserved populations. The Collaborative will facilitate outreach to potential applicants, provide a resource network to participants, expand awareness of water utility jobs, and help share TWLA results and insights.
- Community engagement. Participants are strongly encouraged to get directly involved in their community — by working on community projects, joining nonprofit boards, supporting school programs, or other activities. This will anchor participants to the community they serve by fostering deeper understanding and empathy for all parts of their community. Mentors and program volunteers will set examples for this involvement.
Apply
Eligibility Criteria & Program Requirements
We welcome 50 participants in each cohort, which provides an opportunity to learn from a wide network of individuals.
We are looking for TWLA applicants with the following experience:
- 3-10 years of full-time work experience, including at least two years of water-related work (preferably at a water utility or a related field).
- Supervisory and/or Management Experience. Past experience supervising people in your current professional, volunteer, or community work. Your experience may include management of projects, programs, committees, and contractors.
- Availability to attend TWLA sessions and events.
- Access to a computer and broadband internet. TWLA includes online sessions and online coursework that require a reliable, robust broadband connection.
Other Utility Leadership Opportunities:
- Interested in additional utility leadership development? Current and up-and-coming water and wastewater utility CEOs, general managers, senior managers, and upper-level management may be interested in the Water & Wastewater Leadership Center, a collaboration between AMWA, AWWA, NACWA, WEF, and NAWC.
Learn more and apply.
TWLA Tuition Levels
|
Utility Size |
Tuition Level |
Non-Profit Entity |
| <3,300 | $250 | $1,500 |
| 3,300 – 10,000 | $500 | |
| 10,000 – 50,000 | $1,000 | |
| 50,000 – 100,000 | $1,500 | |
| 100,000 – 500,000 | $2,000 | |
| 500,000 – 1,000,000 | $2,500 | |
| >1,000,000 | $3,000 |
Deliverables
Every participant in each TWLA cohort must deliver:
- Capstone project. You will design and complete a project based on sustainable community leadership principles learned at TWLA. This project should address a problem, need, or opportunity in your organization or community. Estimated work time: 40-60 hours.
- Presentation. Each participant must present what they learned from TWLA. This can happen at an event/conference, or by writing an article for a publication. Your presentation or article need not focus on TWLA, but it should clarify the value of what you learned from the TWLA experience.
Application Requirements
Acceptance into TWLA is based on competitive criteria to ensure a robust learning experience for all participants. Applicants must be ready to engage deeply in the program, and prioritize their commitment to attending all program sessions.
When completing the TWLA application, you will be asked to provide the following information:
Your resume with the following information:
- Education. Provide diplomas, degrees, or certificates received. (Note: a college degree is not required to participate in TWLA. Online education programs should be included.)
- Work experience. Please include full-time jobs as well as temporary or internship positions. You must demonstrate a minimum of 3 years, but no more than 10 years of full-time work experience, including at least two years doing work related to the water sector.
- Volunteer/community experience. List work you have done on a volunteer basis, either for a nonprofit or community organization or program, or informally.
- Leadership experience. For your current job or volunteer/community work, describe your responsibilities for supervising or leading people. You may also describe other life experiences where you’ve led or supervised others.
Personal Statement: You’ll be asked to answer several short answer questions to share more about your leadership and why you are applying for the TWLA.
DEADLINE: Applications for 2026 cohort are open now, and due by August 1, 2025.
Sponsorship
Become a TWLA Sponsor
Help us keep the TWLA mission alive. Your generous contributions will support essential TWLA programming and allow the expansion of this unique program.
By contributing to TWLA, you will signal a firm commitment to the positive evolution of the water community. TWLA sponsorship also offers opportunities to showcase your organization’s thought leadership on achieving a sustainable, community-focused water future. This can directly support your organization’s environmental, social, and governance goals and commitments.
TWLA sponsorships:
- Travel and per diem scholarships for program participants who may lack resources to attend required in-person events.
- Stipends for keynote speakers to build the strength of the program in leadership, environment, business, community engagement, and workforce development
- Expanding networking opportunities for a robust program for both participants and TWLA graduates
- Technology, connectivity, and software to support the interaction, instruction, exchange of ideas, and information gathering/analysis that are essential to TWLA
Volunteers
Volunteer for TWLA
Volunteers are essential to the success of TWLA. We offer many volunteer opportunities:
- Identify potential TWLA applicants on your staff and in your community. You may already know some future leaders or key talent for the water community.
- Instruction. Do you have special expertise in a core topic of TWLA? Volunteer to teach a virtual or in-person lesson.
- Mentor or coach TWLA participants. Help guide tomorrow’s water leaders via direct engagement.
- Expand our network of community/nonprofit groups. Help build TWLA’s Community Cooperative Alliance (CCA) by introducing groups doing good work in your community or region to TWLA.
- Donate to support TWLA, individually or through your organization (tax-deductible).
- Facilitate small-group discussions within a TWLA cohort.
- Tell water utilities about TWLA, especially how getting involved can benefit utilities and their communities.
- Connect TWLA with funders. Introduce us to foundations or other funding organizations whose goals might align with TWLA.
Fill out the Volunteer Request Form here!
Mentor & Coach
Are You Interested in Working Directly with the 2026 TWLA Cohort?
You can personally get involved with the inaugural session of the TWLA Cohort by being a Small Group Mentor or a Capstone Project Coach.
Small Group Mentor
The TWLA is looking for a number of dedicated Small Group Mentors (Mentors) who are committed to investing their time to assist in the growth and development of Academy participants. The Mentors must be willing to share their knowledge, experience, and wisdom and act as a guide and role model.
There are two main responsibilities in this position:
- Provide one-on-one mentoring to two or three Academy participants.
- Lead four 90-minute small group sessions.
Their Stories
Hear from the TWLA23 Inaugural Cohort
Participants share:
- What have TWLA cohort participants learned?
- How will they apply those insights to their community?
- What makes the TWLA experience unique?
- What would you say to someone considering applying?
"Through this academy…we're doing transformative work to help leaders all around the country emerge. I'm excited that the academy will provide me with the tools and resources to grow as a leader, and then to give that back to my community through our programs and resources, as well as to my colleagues who are young professionals, as well."
- Lily Lopez
Director of External Affairs and Sustainability, Walnut Valley Water District
2024 Class
Alonso Hurtado
Engineer, City of Toronto, ON
Andrew Southern
Engineer 2, Metro Water Services, TN
Avery Forrest Braun
Chief Construction Inspector, City of Charlotte, NC
Carlos Carrillo
Resource Specialist Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, CA
Dani Lima
Water Resources Analyst, Long Beach Utility Department, CA
Evan Landreth
Outside Meter Sales, Ferguson Waterworks, SC
Jessica Micco
Authority Manager, Greenville Municipal Water Authority, PA
Joyce Lin
Civil Engineer, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, HI
LaRico Andres Scada
Technician 2, Great Lakes Water Authority, MI
Mark Whittaker
Senior Environmental Engineer, Water and Sewer Utilities City of Newark, NJ
Michael Trumm
Utilities Chief, Yosemite National Park, CA
Steven Hollingsed
Backflow Program Coordinator, Toho Water Authority, FL
Tiffany Diaz
Regulatory & Conservation Manager City of Georgetown, TX
Tram Doan
Water Treatment Manager, San Antonio Water System, TX
Alyssa Banzil
Civil Engineer / GIS Technician, Walnut Valley Water District, CA
Angela Sims-Ceja
Water Technical Operations Superintendent, Aurora Water, CO
Ben Crawford
Superintendent, Water Works City of Laconia, NH
Chelsea Kulp
Senior Manager of Government and External Affairs, New Jersey American Water, NJ
Darren Nowels
Water Efficiency Planner, Northern Water, CO
Ilario Bello
Meter Tech City of Elgin, IL
Jori Nelson
Utility Management Consultant, HDR Consulting, WA
Keeli Carlton
Policy Manager, Seminole County Environmental Services, FL
Mary-Sophia Motlow
Analyst Carpinteria Valley Water District, CA
Misty Stevens
Sr. Water Liaison Snohomish County PUD No. 1, WA
Rasta Naderi
Associate Civil Engineer Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts, CA
Taylor Carden
Superintendent of Production and Network Modeling, Veolia North America, NJ
Tiffany Mars
Customer Care Specialist II, City of Corona, CA
Ashley Faurote
Program Manager - Economic Analysis & Engagement, City of Fort Wayne, IN
Brad Ebinger
Microbiologist, WaterOne, MO
Corwin Washington
Sr. Environmental Project Manager, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, LA
Eagle Jones
Director of Water Operations, Pechanga Water Department, CA
Javier Hendricks
Senior Engineer, Passaic Valley Water Commission, NJ
Jose Torres
Chemist, City of Gainesville, GA
Matthew Law
Utilities - Foreman, City of Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Moriah Winkel
Water and Wastewater Analyst City of Bryant, AR
Ronald Pena
Chief of Operations, Hillview Reservoir, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NY
Terrayvivya West-McGee
Utility Billing Manager, Water City of Ventura, CA
Tonya Howard
Senior Industrial Hygienist, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, CA
Andrew Schultz
City Engineer for Utilities, City of Missoula Public Works & Mobility, MT
Brian Sibley
Maintenance Manager City of Saskatoon, SK
Dana Zheng
Source Control Program Manager, Liquid Waste Services, Metro Vancouver, BC
Erick Velazquez
Cross Connection Control Supervisor, City of Altamonte Springs, FL
Jeffrey King
Construction Coordinator, The MDC, CT
Meghan Post
Education Coordinator, Beaver Water District, AR
Omar De Leon
Inventory Control Team Manager The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, CA
Ryan Barton
Hydrologist, Water Management Branch, Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, AZ
Tracy Fullen
Engineering Manager, Illinois Aqua, IL
Will Menkhaus
Assistant Division Manager, Saint Paul Regional Water Services, MN
2023 Class
Abbie Dyke
Water Regulatory Compliance Coordinator, City of Denton, TX
Amanda McKinley Selph
Business Manager, Belforest Water System, AL
Diane Moreau
Manager of Water Operations, City of Barrie, Ontario, Canada
David Ridgeway
Planning, Investigation, Restoration and MISS DIG Manager, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, MI
Emily Stahl
Manager, Technical Services, Water Utility, City of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Gregory Williams
Deputy Operating Officer, Valley Water, CA
Jillian Croci
Special Projects Analyst, Water Resources, Long Beach Water Department, CA
Kevin Rodier
Engineering Project Manager, New Jersey American Water, Camden, NJ
Lisa Pace
Senior Water Conservation Specialist, Colorado Springs Utilities, CO
Melissa M. Gray
Utility Systems Operations Manager, Environmental Programs, Water and Sewer Department, City of Tulsa, OK
Patricia R. Dennis
Controller, Renewable Water Resources (Rewa), Greenville, SC
Sandra Stack
Administrative Manager, Cleveland Water Engineering, OH
Tim Johnson
Lead Technician, King County Water District #90, CA
Adam Steurer
Engineer, Hendersonville, NC
Bethel Abate
Civil Engineer/Project Manager, DC Water, DC
Daniel Klune
Water Treatment Plant Operator, A, Connecticut Water, CT
Virginia Dee Montier-Burke
Laboratory Supervisor, City of College Station, TX
Eric W. Best Jr
Quality Assurance Chemistry Manager, EMSL Analytical, Inc., Cinnaminson, NJ
Gwendolyn Henry
Operations Performance Coordinator, Toho Water Authority, FL
Karyn Rittenhouse
Water System Superintendent, City of West Allis, WI
Kyle Delaney
Water Reclamation Facility Operator, City of Corona, CA
Elizabeth Cullen
Engineer, Hydraulic Modeling and Planning Group, AQUA Services
Michelle Bouchard
Community Outreach Supervisor, PWC Service Authority, Prince William County, VA
Philip Mendoza
Finance Manager, Lakewood Water District, WA
Sarah Trejo
Water Quality Compliance Coordinator, Aquarion Water Company, Monroe, CT
Tony Searls
Commercial Services Superintendent,Greater Cincinnati Water Works, Cincinnati, OH
Alex Sitar
Planning Engineer, Union County Water, NC
Brittany Schacht
Deputy Director of Customer Service, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, PA
Daniel Koge
Civil Engineer, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, HI
Diego Ulibarri
Associate Level Water Distribution Technician, City of Arvada, CO
Esther Baptiste
Management Professional, Systems Planning Group, Great Lakes Water Authority, Detroit, MI
Jennifer Lee
Environmental Regulatory Compliance Manager, Public Works Department, City of Burlingame, CA
Kayla Durham
Senior Water Treatment Plant Operator, Water Management Department, City of Franklin, TN
Lea Mousley
Water Quality Intern, Pennsylvania American Water, PA
Mark Theiler
Assistant Director of Production, Middlesex Water Company, NJ
Nathan Hodges
SCADA Administrator, Northern Kentucky Water District, KY
Poonam Kalkat
Director of Utilities, City of Boynton Beach, FL
Shukwia Tajik
Project Engineer, City of Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Ali Polda
Principal Engineer, Tacoma Water, WA
Chelsea Radcliff
Asset Management Project Manager, Storm Water Services, City of Charlotte, NC
DaShunda Boykins
Lead Billing Specialist, Central Arkansas Water, AR
Dom Bennett
Assistant Director of Customer Care, Water Utilities, City of Lee's Summit, MO
Gabriel Evans
Associate Consultant, EMA Inc., AZ
Jenyffer Vasquez
Water Policy & Resources Analyst, West Basin Municipal Water District, Carson, CA
Kelly Bourque
Engineering Project Manager, Goleta Water District, CA
Lily Lopez
Director of External Affairs & Sustainability at Walnut Valley Water District, CA
Matt Silverman
Environmental Analyst, Littleton Water Department, MA
Ni’Chelle White
Administrative Technical Specialist, Department of Public Works, Water Division, City of El Segundo, CA
Rainier Garcia
Water Treatment Superintendent<br /> City of Benicia, CA
Skylar Reed
Environmental Engineer, Department of Water & Sewer, City of Newark, NJ
Thank you to the 2023 Cohort Sponsors
