| Bridging cultures a passion for AWWA’s Wheeler
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Bridging cultures a passion for AWWA’s Wheeler

When Rebecca Wheeler was growing up in Hong Kong, her Chinese parents encouraged her to travel broadly and learn from other cultures. Today, with friends around the world and theRebecca Wheeler ability to speak three languages, she brings this passion to her new position as senior manager of international programs at the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

“By expanding our mission and network internationally, AWWA can geographically and professionally cross boundaries to provide better water solutions,” said Wheeler, who will be working closely with AWWA’s leadership, International Council and AWWA India.

“Globally, we’re all dealing with sustainability at some level,” she added. “Whether an organization is most concerned about water sources or how to better treat wastewater, everyone in the international water sector is trying to do better. We all benefit from exchanging knowledge and sharing best practices.”

With more than 15 years of international program experience, Wheeler came to AWWA from the Society of Women Engineers, where she was global program manager responsible for events in China, Europe, India and southeast Asia. She originally moved to the United States for graduate school at Baylor University in Texas.

Rebecca Wheeler and husband, MikeHer professional experience includes working with Fortune 500 corporations and leading nonprofit organizations such as the Clinton Global Initiative and World Expo in China. She met her American husband, Mike, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics while working as an interpreter and event planner for a corporate sponsor. (Pictured, Mike and Rebecca in Hong Kong)

Wheeler is fascinated by the intricacies of working across different cultures. “In some countries, you sit down and start talking business immediately,” she said. “In others you build a relationship and trust over time, then start to talk business.”

As another example, she explained, when someone in Asia offers you their business card, they consciously hand it to you with both hands and arranged so that you can read it. And, while people in the United States often address each other by their first names, in many other countries it is customary to use a more formal approach by using a title such as Mr. or Ms. before a surname or full name.

At AWWA, Wheeler is focusing on enhancing the Association’s brand outside of the United States. Her strategies include using technology to increase engagement with international members, expanding members’ accessibility to online AWWA resources and training, and sponsoring more information exchange events internationally.

“It’s very helpful to be able to access AWWA’s information whenever and wherever you are,” she said. “AWWA serves all stages of water professionals’ careers – from students, to young and seasoned professionals, to those who have retired. We have more than 65 countries represented at AWWA’s annual conference and exhibition (ACE) and every year that number is growing.”

 

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