AWWA recognizes next generation of water leaders with 5 Under 35 Award

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recognized recipients of its Five Under 35 – Outstanding Young Professional Award at its recent ACE25 event in Denver. The award, which debuted in 2021, recognizes and honors AWWA members ages 35 and under who have demonstrated outstanding service to their Sections or the Association through leadership and active participation in young professional (YP) programs.

“AWWA is committed to creating clear pathways and leadership opportunities for the next generation of water professionals,” said AWWA President Heather Collins. “The Five Under 35 Award celebrates those who are already stepping forward as leaders and shaping the future of our water community.”

The 2025 award winners are:

Bailey Keller, Texas Section

• Project Manager, Freese and Nichols, Pearland, Texas
• Texas Section Southeast Chapter Secretary
• Past Texas Section Southeast Chapter Young Professional Co-Chair
• Past Texas Section Southeast Chapter Membership Chair
• Member, Texas Water Conference Planning Committee
• Member, 2025 AWWA/WEF YP Summit Programming Committee
• Recipient, Texas AWWA Membership Recruitment and Retention Award
• Recipient, Southeast Chapter of TAWWA Young Engineer of the Year Award
• Recipient, Texas Section of TAWWA Outstanding Young Professional Award
• S., Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas

Dane Elliott, Ohio Section

• D. Candidate, Environmental Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
• Process Engineer, Stantec, Columbus, Ohio
• Member, AWWA Young Professionals Committee
• Vice-Chair, 2026 AWWA/WEF YP Summit Programming Committee
• Chair, Ohio Section AWWA Young Professionals Committee
• Chair, Ohio Section Young Professionals Leadership Summit
• Recipient, AWWA Water Equation Scholarship
• Recipient, Ohio Section AWWA Section Chair Award
• S., Environmental Engineering, Ohio State University
• S.E., Chemical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

Kara Cunningham, West Virginia Section

• Water Engineering Intern, HDR
• D. Candidate, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Founder, West Virginia University AWWA Student Chapter
• Creator, HydroLink networking event, West Virginia Section
• Vice Chair, AWWA Microbiological Contaminants Research Committee
• Liaison, AWWA Microbiological Contaminants Research Committee and AWWA YP Committee
• Organizer, West Virginia Section poster competition with YP Committee
• Recipient, AWWA Water Equation Scholarship
• S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University

Mariana Anguiano, Texas Section

• Northern Region Engineering Manager, Trinity River Authority of Texas, Arlington, Texas
• President, North Central Texas AWWA Chapter, Texas Section
• Vice President, North Central Texas AWWA Chapter, Texas Section
• Member, North Central Texas AWWA Chapter executive committee
• Member, Texas Water Conference Planning Committees
• Organizer, North Central Texas YP Casino Night fund raiser event
• Volunteer and Judge, North Central Texas operator competitions challenge
• Member, 2025 AWWA/WEF YP Summit Planning Committee
• Eng., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
• S., Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University

Nicole Proto, Virginia Section

• Engineer, Arlington County, Arlington, Virginia
• Pursuing Master of Public Administration, George Mason University
• Trustee, Virginia Section YP Board (2023–2024)
• Chair, Virginia Section Sustainable Utilities Committee
• Chair, Virginia Section Young Professional WaterJAM Committee
• Host, AWWA YP Executive Committee Advisor visit to Virginia Section
• S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Penn State University

New for the 2026 award cycle, any AWWA member may nominate a young professional for the Five Under 35 Award. Members are encouraged to put forward young professionals who have made an impact on their community, AWWA and their peers. Nomination submissions will be accepted through November 1.

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Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most vital resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.