Sponsored by ASTERRA(https://asterra.io/) and IMAGINE H2O(https://www.imagineh2o.org/), Aquarius Spectrum (https://aqs-systems.com/), and SimpleLab: click here https://shrsl.com/ to obtain water quality analyses. The Water Entrepreneur podcast program features a series of interviews exploring the origin stories of startup founders, early adopters and innovation champions related to their personal, professional, technical, business, organizational and financial journeys. We will explore how the guests decided to get into the water business, who their mentors are, who inspired them to become entrepreneurs and how they selected a technology to develop from an idea to an invention and finally to a commercially viable innovation. You will hear how they raised funding for their company, selected markets to pursue, navigated organizational hierarchies and evolved as their company grew. They will describe their struggles and successes and explain why they are having the most fun of their lives.
Scott Jauch Scott Jauch I Condition Assessment Regional Practice Lead, Black & VeatchPhoenix, Arizona, USA Scott Jauch is the Condition Assessment Regional Practice Lead at Black & Veatch, based in Phoenix, Arizona. With 8 years of experience in the water sector, Scott specializes in the condition assessment and rehabilitation of buried infrastructure, particularly large-diameter water…More
Erin K. Rothman Climate Scientist | Urban Planner | EntrepreneurInnovating at the intersection of data, design, and resilience With over 20 years of experience at the nexus of climate science, urban planning, and entrepreneurship, Erin Rothman has built a career solving some of the most complex environmental and social challenges facing communities today. Her work…More
Matt Boczkowski Matt Boczkowski has a diverse work experience in various industries and roles. Matt is currently the CEO of Aquaporin A/S, a company focused on water filtration through biotechnology. Before that, he held multiple roles at SUEZ, including Vice President Industrial Strategy, Growth, Market Development, and Global Director of Marketing and Growth Initiatives. Matt…More
Brian Richter Brian RichterPresident, Sustainable Waters | Adjunct Professor, University of Virginia Brian Richter is a globally recognized authority on water science and conservation, with over 30 years of experience advancing sustainable water management practices. He is the President of Sustainable Waters, an international education and advisory organization that supports communities, governments, and industries in…More
Jack Schmidt Jack Schmidt is a Professor at Utah State University and Director of the Center for Colorado River Studies within the Quinney College of Natural Resources. With nearly four decades of experience, he is a leading expert in river science, focusing primarily on the Colorado River, its tributaries, and the Grand Canyon. His research…More
Anne Castle Anne Castle is a senior fellow at the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment at the University of Colorado Law School, focusing on western water issues, including Colorado River policy and Tribal water rights. Castle was appointed by President Biden in 2022 as the U.S. Commissioner and Chair of the…More
James Roberts Founder & CEO | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States James Roberts is the Founder and CEO of WaiHome, a company dedicated to modernizing backyard wastewater treatment. Under his leadership, WaiHome focuses on passive, aboveground treatment systems that are easy to install and provide high-quality, reusable effluent—helping homeowners create sustainable outdoor spaces. Learn more at…More
Nathaniel Banks Nathaniel BanksCo-founder & CTO, PolyGone Systems | Forbes 30 Under 30 Fellow Nathaniel is a pioneering innovator in environmental technology, specializing in microplastic monitoring and filtration solutions. As the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of PolyGone Systems, he leads the company's engineering, research, and product development, driving advancements in sustainable water treatment solutions.…More
Dragan Tutic Dragan Tutic is a mechanical engineer by training and entrepreneur by nature. He is propelledby a distinctive mix of empathy, curiosity, and determination. Demonstrating an inventive flaireven before entering university, Tutic accomplished the remarkable feat of constructing a fullyoperational electric motorcycle, showcasing his ingenuity and passion for sustainable solutions. Tutic’s journey as an…More
Tia Cavender Tia A. Cavender, MA I CEO & Founder, Dig Deep Research, LLC Tia A. Cavender is a dynamic and results-driven executive with over 24 years of experience in strategic grants planning, capital funding, and public-private partnerships. As the CEO and Founder of Dig Deep Research, LLC, she has built a nationally recognized consulting…More
Susan Fortner Susan Fortner is a dynamic communications and public relations expert with extensive experience in strategic brand development, media relations, crisis management, and corporate growth. As the driving force behind BPR International in Columbus, OH, she oversees company operations, staff development, and event coordination while managing high-level media strategies, social media campaigns, and advertising…More
Windi Muziasari Windi Muziasari is an Indonesian-born global citizen based in Helsinki, Finland, since 2010. She is the founder and CEO of Resistomap, a pioneering company specializing in end-to-end laboratory services for monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and pathogens in the environment. By integrating molecular genetics and data science, Windi and her team provide critical…More
Chelsea Boozer Chelsea Boozer is a dynamic leader and strategic communicator with a proven track record in public policy, government affairs, and nonprofit management. As the Executive Director of Rogue Water Lab, she is spearheading efforts to sustain and expand programming, securing additional sponsors, and managing a $350,000 budget while overseeing key initiatives such as…More
Emily Lewis Emily assists clients in navigating and solving complex water problems.She has 14 years of experience advising individual water right owners, water wholesalers, municipalities, mining companies, developers, mutual shareholder irrigation companies, and other water users. Her strategic projects practice extends to innovative policy work and specialty water project management. For example, she recently acted…More
Emily Lewis Emily assists clients in navigating and solving complex water problems.She has 14 years of experience advising individual water right owners, water wholesalers, municipalities, mining companies, developers, mutual shareholder irrigation companies, and other water users. Her strategic projects practice extends to innovative policy work and specialty water project management. For example, she recently acted…More
Kevin Gast Kevin Gast is the Co-Founder, CEO, & Chairman of VVater, apioneering next-generation water treatment company dedicatedto leveraging advanced technologies to address global waterchallenges across numerous industries. With over 20+ years of executive leadership experience, Kevin has managed cross-functional and international teams in more than 30 countries,bringing innovative solutions to sectors such as real…More
Kevin Gast Kevin Gast is the Co-Founder, CEO, & Chairman of VVater, apioneering next-generation water treatment company dedicatedto leveraging advanced technologies to address global waterchallenges across numerous industries. With over 20+ years of executive leadership experience, Kevin has managed cross-functional and international teams in more than 30 countries,bringing innovative solutions to sectors such as real…More
George Hawkins George Hawkins launched his innovation-focused non-profit enterprise Moonshot Missions after stepping down as CEO of DC Water, where he served for eleven years. George helps agencies identify and adopt strategies to deliver better service and lower cost, with a focus on small and under-resourced communities and water utilities. In 2023, Moonshot was selected…More
George Hawkins George Hawkins launched his innovation-focused non-profit enterprise Moonshot Missions after stepping down as CEO of DC Water, where he served for eleven years. George helps agencies identify and adopt strategies to deliver better service and lower cost, with a focus on small and under-resourced communities and water utilities. In 2023, Moonshot was selected…More
Win Cowgar Dr. Win Cowger (AKA Dr. Trash) is an accomplished environmental scientist specializing in plastic pollution, sustainable resource management, and conservation strategies. Win holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of California, Riverside, a B.S. in Environmental Science from Iowa State University , and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from…More
Win Cowgar Dr. Win Cowger (AKA Dr. Trash) is an accomplished environmental scientist specializing in plastic pollution, sustainable resource management, and conservation strategies. Win holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of California, Riverside, a B.S. in Environmental Science from Iowa State University , and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from…More
José Castro Jose Segura’s mission is to improve the world’s water quality by lowering barriers to monitoring. Across geographies and industries, there is a common thread: water quality testing is too expensive, slow and inconvenient. By leveraging technologies used in the glucose monitoring industry, we offer near-lab quality results in less than five minutes, on-site,…More
José Castro Jose Segura’s mission is to improve the world’s water quality by lowering barriers to monitoring. Across geographies and industries, there is a common thread: water quality testing is too expensive, slow and inconvenient. By leveraging technologies used in the glucose monitoring industry, we offer near-lab quality results in less than five minutes, on-site,…More
Lauren Enright Lauren Enright, Program Manager, Water Services, SCS Global She leads the growing water stewardship practice at SCS Global where she works with organizations on validation, verification, and certification of water metrics, shedding transparency to investors, stakeholders and the general public. She understands where the value lies in going beyond measuring and monitoring water…More
Lauren Enright Lauren Enright, Program Manager, Water Services, SCS Global She leads the growing water stewardship practice at SCS Global where she works with organizations on validation, verification, and certification of water metrics, shedding transparency to investors, stakeholders and the general public. She understands where the value lies in going beyond measuring and monitoring water…More
David Lloyd David Lloyd is the CEO and Co-Founder of FREDsense Technologies, a pioneer inbiotechnology-driven water quality solutions. An alumnus of the University of Calgary,David’s passion for synthetic biology was solidified through his award-winninginvolvement in the iGEM (international Genetically Engineered Machines) competition,where he honed his skills in biosensor innovation as a competitor, judge and committeemember.…More
David Lloyd David Lloyd is the CEO and Co-Founder of FREDsense Technologies, a pioneer inbiotechnology-driven water quality solutions. An alumnus of the University of Calgary,David’s passion for synthetic biology was solidified through his award-winninginvolvement in the iGEM (international Genetically Engineered Machines) competition,where he honed his skills in biosensor innovation as a competitor, judge and committeemember.…More
Bhavik Barochia Dr Bhavik Barochia is a Digital Water Consultant and global strategist specializing in the integration of digital solutions across the water and health sectors. With a PhD in microbialgenetics and expertise in AI-driven biological data analysis, he leads innovative publichealth surveillance projects, focusing on wastewater-based epidemiology andenvironmental monitoring. Dr Barochia has extensive experience…More
Bhavik Barochia Dr Bhavik Barochia is a Digital Water Consultant and global strategist specializing in the integration of digital solutions across the water and health sectors. With a PhD in microbialgenetics and expertise in AI-driven biological data analysis, he leads innovative publichealth surveillance projects, focusing on wastewater-based epidemiology andenvironmental monitoring. Dr Barochia has extensive experience…More
Arian Edalat, Co-Founder & CEO at Active Membranes Arian Edalat is a chemical engineer and an award winning water tech entrepreneur. He has a Ph.D. from University of Bradford in UK and two decades of experience in design, engineering, construction, operations, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization of industrial and municipal membrane-based water treatment processes as well…More
Arian Edalat, Co-Founder & CEO at Active Membranes Arian Edalat is a chemical engineer and an award winning water tech entrepreneur. He has a Ph.D. from University of Bradford in UK and two decades of experience in design, engineering, construction, operations, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization of industrial and municipal membrane-based water treatment processes as well…More
Ralph Exton Ralph Erik Exton became the Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation on July 15, 2024, and serves as Secretary of the WEF Board of Trustees and a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees. He joined WEF from Grundfos, where he served as the water utility vice president and chief marketing officer.…More
Ralph Exton Ralph Erik Exton became the Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation on July 15, 2024, and serves as Secretary of the WEF Board of Trustees and a member of the 2024-25 Board of Trustees. He joined WEF from Grundfos, where he served as the water utility vice president and chief marketing officer.…More
Dave Russell Dave Russell’s career has been in the non-destructive testing field since leaving school in the U.K. (grad 1964 with 3 A-levels). Dave holds CGSB Level-III Radiography, Level-II Ultrasonic and Level-1 Eddy Current, plus ASNT Level-III in the same disciplines. In 2017 I achieved MBA degree, Export award and Business Leadership award.Dave currently owns…More
Dave Russell Dave Russell’s career has been in the non-destructive testing field since leaving school in the U.K. (grad 1964 with 3 A-levels). Dave holds CGSB Level-III Radiography, Level-II Ultrasonic and Level-1 Eddy Current, plus ASNT Level-III in the same disciplines. In 2017 I achieved MBA degree, Export award and Business Leadership award.Dave currently owns…More
Michael Connett Michael Connett is a partner at Siri & Glimstad LLP with extensive civil litigation experiencein both the personal injury and regulatory arenas.Mr. Connett's civil practice is focused on obtaining justice for individuals harmed by corporate negligence, misguided medical practices, and overreaching government mandates. He has successfully represented individuals and families who have suffered…More
Michael Connett Michael Connett is a partner at Siri & Glimstad LLP with extensive civil litigation experiencein both the personal injury and regulatory arenas.Mr. Connett's civil practice is focused on obtaining justice for individuals harmed by corporate negligence, misguided medical practices, and overreaching government mandates. He has successfully represented individuals and families who have suffered…More
Chris Miller, Founder and CEO, Fontus Blue Dr. Miller is an accomplished academic and experienced consultantand business owner founder (Fontus Blue) with technical expertise in drinking water operations integration including treatment plant-treatment process optimization, water quality modeling (plant and distribution system), distribution system optimization, and decision support system development, and water technology evaluation.Recent projects have…More
Chris Miller, Founder and CEO, Fontus Blue Dr. Miller is an accomplished academic and experienced consultantand business owner founder (Fontus Blue) with technical expertise in drinking water operations integration including treatment plant-treatment process optimization, water quality modeling (plant and distribution system), distribution system optimization, and decision support system development, and water technology evaluation.Recent projects have…More
Paul O’Callaghan Paul O’Callaghan is a aater scientist, sustainability thought leader and documentary producer, who believes the global water crisis can be solved in his lifetime and he is on a mission to helpmake it happen.After being awarded a bio-chemistry degree, Paul's first role was for the Body Shop workingalongside the pioneering environmentalist Anita Roddick.…More
Paul O’Callaghan Paul O’Callaghan is a aater scientist, sustainability thought leader and documentary producer, who believes the global water crisis can be solved in his lifetime and he is on a mission to helpmake it happen.After being awarded a bio-chemistry degree, Paul's first role was for the Body Shop workingalongside the pioneering environmentalist Anita Roddick.…More
Thomas Fudge Dr. Thomas Fudge is the CEO & Founder at WASE: I specialize in strategic sustainable development and water management for new and existing infrastructure. I founded WASE in 2017 to tackle the global sanitation crisis where we are developing containerized wastewater treatment systems to create biogas, clean water and fertilizer for agriculture. The…More
Thomas Fudge Dr. Thomas Fudge is the CEO & Founder at WASE: I specialize in strategic sustainable development and water management for new and existing infrastructure. I founded WASE in 2017 to tackle the global sanitation crisis where we are developing containerized wastewater treatment systems to create biogas, clean water and fertilizer for agriculture. The…More
Lauren Roth Venu 3Rwater, Inc. was formed in 2019 to increase access to water management solutions. Founder Lauren Roth Venu is an ecopreneur, a TEDx speaker, and a published author, who is passionate about developing innovative, nature-based solutions to build climate resiliency. While doing her undergraduate at the University of Colorado at Boulder in water…More
Lauren Roth Venu 3Rwater, Inc. was formed in 2019 to increase access to water management solutions. Founder Lauren Roth Venu is an ecopreneur, a TEDx speaker, and a published author, who is passionate about developing innovative, nature-based solutions to build climate resiliency. While doing her undergraduate at the University of Colorado at Boulder in water…More
Russell Schindler ALBERT “RUSSELL” SCHINDLER, P.G. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARYOver 37 years of experience developing, implementing and managing a wide variety of environmental projects and programs including; soil and groundwater remediation projects using various types of remediation, implementation of chemical, liquid waste, hazardous waste, and solid waste management programs and procedures, hydrogeological investigations, industrial regulatory compliance audit…More
Russell Schindler ALBERT “RUSSELL” SCHINDLER, P.G. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARYOver 37 years of experience developing, implementing and managing a wide variety of environmental projects and programs including; soil and groundwater remediation projects using various types of remediation, implementation of chemical, liquid waste, hazardous waste, and solid waste management programs and procedures, hydrogeological investigations, industrial regulatory compliance audit…More
Peter Yolles Peter Yolles is the managing partner at Echo River Capital, a venture capital firm that he founded in 2021 to invest in software-enabled water and wastewater technologies that improve human health, the environment, and climate resilience. With an MBA from Yale School of Management and a Master’s Degree in Water Science, Management and…More
Peter Yolles Peter Yolles is the managing partner at Echo River Capital, a venture capital firm that he founded in 2021 to invest in software-enabled water and wastewater technologies that improve human health, the environment, and climate resilience. With an MBA from Yale School of Management and a Master’s Degree in Water Science, Management and…More
Max Spanier Former Marketo AE turned GTM Recruiter – Helping Hiring Managers Achieve Pipeline Goals #
Max Spanier Former Marketo AE turned GTM Recruiter – Helping Hiring Managers Achieve Pipeline Goals #