Water We Talking About?

Water infrastructure has a people problem as much as it has an infrastructure problem. We spend considerable time talking about pipes, plants, capital, and technology. But how are we communicating the value of water to the next generation of professionals who will lead the sector?

Our guest on this episode is Beate Wright, discussing how she helps us explore the people and leadership required to make all of those water investments successful.

She is a professional engineer, executive coach, and longtime water industry leader with more than 33 years of experience spanning engineering, utility operations, research, consulting, and organizational leadership.

Throughout her career, Beate has held leadership roles across the public, private, federal, and nonprofit sectors, including serving as Director of Operations at Loudoun Water, Executive Director of the Washington, DC office of the Water Research Foundation, and as a leader in national engineering consulting firms. She also served on active duty in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps.

Today, as Founder and CEO of Wright For You, LLC, Beate works with water industry leaders across the United States and Canada, providing executive coaching and facilitating leadership development, strategic planning, and organizational transformation.

Beate is passionate about developing the next generation of water leaders and helping individuals and organizations reach their fullest potential. She brings a unique perspective on the human side of an industry facing enormous challenges, and believes that stronger leadership, authentic relationships, and a commitment to developing people are essential to building a more resilient water future.

How do you communicate the value of something that means fundamentally different things to different people?

For a utility, water is a service that must be financed and maintained. For a farmer, it's livelihood. For a government, it's economic development and political responsibility. For a family without reliable access, it's a daily determinant of quality of life.

Yulia's experience working across these different realities gives her an interesting vantage point on one of the water industry's biggest challenges: getting people to see, communicate, and ultimately invest in water's full value.

Yulia Titova is an international water governance and development expert who has spent more than 15 years working across Africa, the Middle East, and other emerging markets to help communities, governments, and utilities rethink how they value, manage, and deliver water.

From Zambia and Kenya to Jordan and Ghana, Yulia has worked at the intersection of water, economics, public policy, and institutional reform. Her experience has given her a unique perspective on how the value of water is understood differently across cultures and economies — and why lasting solutions require more than engineering. They require understanding the people, institutions, incentives, and local realities that shape how water is managed.

Yulia is passionate about translating the value of water across boundaries: connecting its economic importance with its social, environmental, and human significance, and helping turn that understanding into more resilient and sustainable water systems.

When we think of critical infrastructure, we often picture pipes, plants, and technical specs. But what happens when a water utility steps into its full potential as a community anchor institution?

In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca West, CEO of Renewable Water Resources (REWA), to explore how utilities can expand their mandate beyond basic service delivery to drive real, lasting value in the communities they serve. Rebecca breaks down the innovative outreach, environmental stewardship, and community-centric projects that have transformed REWA into a cornerstone of regional vitality.

Whether you’re looking to elevate your utility's public perception, build stronger municipal partnerships, or foster meaningful community engagement, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for turning "invisible infrastructure" into an indispensable civic partner.

On this episode of Water We Talking About, we are joined by James Adduci. He breaks down the strategy behind building meaningful industry relationships and the specific ways storytelling can influence stakeholders and lead to better project outcomes. James proves that while the water industry is built on engineering, it truly runs on human connection. 

Visibility is a form of currency in the water sector. This week, we sit down with Suzan Marie Chin-Taylor to discuss the strategic importance of PR. From managing public perception to the "nuts and bolts" of media outreach, Suzan provides a roadmap for professionals looking to influence the influencers. Learn the exact tactics needed to win over editors and ensure your message is acted upon. 

Water is at the heart of the climate conversation, but how do we share that message effectively? We’re sitting down with Sheldon Young and Jason Moreau (hosts of the No Footprints podcast) to talk about the intersection of water technology and storytelling. From innovative waste management to energy efficiency, learn how these Alfa Laval experts are highlighting the people and tech driving the industry toward a net-zero future.

Noemi Kis is a founder, speaker, and entrepreneur known for building and scaling multiple businesses — including a 7-figure industrial water treatment supply company — while emphasizing freedom, systems, and value creation over conventional “hustle” narratives. She’s active as a personal brand on LinkedIn (150k+ followers), writes and teaches on entrepreneurship, automation, and mindset, and works with founders on building lean, profitable businesses. 

David LaFrance is the president of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). He's spent decades in the water industry as a utility leader (former CFO of Denver Water) and shares compelling ways to tell water's story. 

Ralph Exton is the Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). His decades of experience in the water industry as a CMO (GE Water, SUEZ, Veoila, Grundfos), salesperson, and now non-profit director make this conversation a compelling one!

Brian Sheng is the Co-Founder & CEO of Aquaria, an atmospheric water generation company changing the way our water is delivered. He talks about how the business model of water will change, likening it to Starlink, Solar, and lots of storytelling.