2025 YP Summit Program Committee Agenda
February 11, 2025
2025 YP Summit Program Agenda
Theme: Making Waves: Charting the Future of the Water Sector
During the YP summit, participants will:
- Discuss and anticipate emerging challenges in different areas of the water industry. Identify how these may impact their goals in the water sector and recognize the skills they have and the ones they might need to develop further as future leaders.
- Explore trending workforce issues, how those offer opportunities for growth, and learn from peers and current water leaders the value of their perspectives as young professionals.
- Engage with a broad variety of hands-on water and wastewater tools and approaches in a team setting to expand practical knowledge and build lasting peer-to-peer support networks.
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. |
Morning Coffee & Networking (60 min) |
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. |
Icebreaker Activity (15 min) |
8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. |
Welcome/Introductions (15 min) Speakers: Acknowledgement of Utility Scholarship Winners |
8:30 a.m. – 8:35 a.m. |
Social Media Contest Kick-Off (5 min) |
8:35 a.m. – 9:05 a.m. |
AWWA & WEF Leadership Remarks (30 min) Speakers: |
9:05 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. |
Platinum Sponsor Spotlight – McWane (10 min) |
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Emotional Intelligence Workshop (45 min) Speaker: William Elledge, DC Water What is the one skill that’s guaranteed to make you more successful, earn a higher salary, and be a better leader? Emotional intelligence or “EQ.” EQ is widely regarded as the most important indicator of performance, and 90% of top performers score high in EQ. However, most people don’t know what it is. Fortunately, in this workshop you’ll participate in exercises to develop self-awareness and emotional regulation. You’ll also learn about other exercises you can use to develop empathy and social skills after the workshop. Developing EQ will enhance your leadership potential, build stronger professional relationships and navigate complex workplace dynamics with ease. |
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. |
Break (15 min) |
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Finding Context in Water and Engineering (30 min) Speaker: Ann-Perry Witmer, University of Illinois Ann Witmer has followed a curious career path through journalism, consulting, and academia that ultimately led her to the campus of the University of Illinois. There, she has created a new engineering paradigm that defines the relationship between technology and user population to improve design and performance of infrastructure both domestically and internationally. Contextual Engineering emerges from the diversity of professional experiences Ann has pursued, coming together to generate a multidisciplinary approach to understanding user population needs, constraints, and capabilities. This presentation will provide an overview of the Contextual Engineering approach, as well as the foundations upon which it was built. |
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Rising to the Challenge: YPs Leading the Way in Water (75 min) Speakers: Get inspired by a panel of trailblazing young leaders shaping the future of water utilities across the U.S. In this dynamic session, four young professionals from diverse roles in executive management, production, distribution, and customer service will share their unique career journeys, challenges, and strategies for success. From navigating imposter syndrome to managing teams of all ages, these leaders will highlight what it takes to lead with confidence and purpose in an evolving industry. Walk away with new perspectives, practical insights, and the belief that age is no limit to your impact—YPs are not just the future; they’re leading right now. |
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
Lunch (Sponsored by U.S Pipe) (60 min) |
1:00 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. |
Platinum Sponsor Spotlight – American (10 min) |
1:10 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. |
Intro to Water Circuit Challenge (5 min) |
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. |
Water Circuit Challenge (90 minutes) |
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. |
Politics of Success (30 min) Speaker: Everyone tells you that hard work, talent, experience, and dedication are the keys to success. However, depending on the level of success you’re striving for, it often takes more than just these qualities. To reach the highest level of success requires more than these, unfortunately or fortunately. Politics is about people, and success is too—because everything in life involves understanding and working with others. To achieve success, one needs a solid understanding of how to navigate the turbulent waters of politics. These insights are only gained through the trials and tribulations of those who dared to reach beyond what they should. Join us in this conversation and hear informative insights, stories of fails and successes, and what you can do to speed up your rise and reach your dreams. |
3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. |
Responding to Workforce Tidal Shifts – TBD (30 min) Speaker: Session Description – TBD |
3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. |
Trust at the Tap: A Generational Challenge (30 min) Join us as we delve into the crisis of trust that has eroded public confidence in tap water and fueled the meteoric rise of the bottled water industry. With the 2022 book The Profits of Distrust as a point of departure, we’ll explore the factors contributing to distrust at the tap, from high-profile disasters to systemic problems like water sector fragmentation and environmental injustice. In this fast-paced, data-driven talk, we’ll learn how water utilities can (re)establish trust proactively in the decades ahead. Discover the power of excellence, openness, and equity to restore public faith in the most basic of basic services. |
4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Reflection and Takeaways (15 min) |
4:30 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. |
Closing Remarks (20 min) |
4:50 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Group Photo (10 min) |
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
YP Summit Networking Reception |
