AWWA designates board seat to include next generation of leaders

An historic opportunity for a designated Young Professional (YP) to join the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) board of directors is now available. Applications are open through Aug. 15 for the new YP Director-at-Large position, which will be selected in January 2025.

AWWA’s board includes four directors at large (DAL). At the board’s January 2024 meeting, members approved a proposed change to the AWWA bylaws to designate one DAL position for an active AWWA member age 35 or younger. Another DAL position is designated for a service provider volunteer, and the other two do not have any designation. (Pictured right, attendees at the 2024 AWWA/WEF Young Professionals Summit in Portland, Oregon.)

“Ensuring YP representation at the highest level of AWWA’s leadership helps broaden the representation and inclusiveness of our board and brings in the valuable perspective and voice of an emerging water leader,” said Cheryl Porter, AWWA President. 

“The water community faces an accelerating rate of change, and it’s critical for our ability to plan strategically and continue to transfer knowledge to engage our YPs in leadership,” she added.

Each of the four DALs is elected by the Board of Directors to a three-year term to represent AWWA members and provide oversight and direction for AWWA activities and operations. The other 60 board members consist of 5 presidential officers (including the CEO), 45 section directors (6 of whom also serve as vice presidents), 6 council chairs, and the chair of The Water Research Foundation. There are also three YP advisors.

The election to fill 2025-26 openings for the board will be held during the Board of Directors’ winter meeting in January 2025, with new terms beginning at the conclusion of ACE25. In addition to the YP Director-at-Large position, applications are being accepted for president-elect and vice president.

Building a YP leadership path

To build a pathway for YP leadership opportunities throughout AWWA, including the Board’s YP Director-at-Large position, AWWA’s Executive Committee approved a two-year pilot program in 2022 to provide a presence and voice for YPs with AWWA’s Board and Executive Committee. This YP Advisor Program was championed by Joe Jacangelo, AWWA past president, as a means to equip the water sector’s emerging leaders and advance AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative.

“Our YPs are critical to the ongoing success and sustainability of the water sector and AWWA,” Jacangelo said. “Their perspective, knowledge and technical abilities are key to addressing new challenges and shaping water’s future. They also bring energy and skills to AWWA’s sections, councils and volunteer committees.” 

Three YPs – Chelsea Boozer from the Southwest Section, Ji Im from the New England Section and Gluzen Ramos from the Ontario Section – were selected from an application process to attend board and executive committee meetings and section conferences as non-voting advisors. Starting in January 2023, they were paired with mentors from the Executive Committee — Ari Copeland, Kelley Dearing Smith and Sally Mills-Wright.

Recognizing the value that the pilot YP Advisor Program has demonstrated, AWWA’s board and executive committee recently voted to continue the program. New advisors will be selected and onboarded on a rolling basis with three-year terms, beginning at the conclusion of AWWA’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE25).