THE ORGANIZERS
Hydro20 is an initiative of waterloop in partnership with Sciens Water.
waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet that explores solutions for sustainability and equity in water. Through an industry-leading podcast, videos, and social media content, waterloop highlights people and projects creating positive change.
Sciens Water is a leading investment firm dedicated to advancing water sustainability through innovative financial solutions and strategic partnerships.
THE SPONSORS
Hydro20 is made possible through generous support and sponsorship from the following organizations.
Antea Group USA is an engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in environment, infrastructure, urban planning, and water.
The Environmental Defense Fund is a leading nonprofit organization working to solve the most critical environmental challenges. With a focus on science, economics, law, and partnerships, EDF tackles issues including climate change, ecosystem restoration, and clean water.
Human Capital Solutions provides companies with strategic and tactical solutions for organizational growth, including high-performance work systems, continuous process improvement, and talent solutions.
THE Selection Committee
About 150 nominations were received for the inaugural Hydro20. The honorees were selected through a blind voting process, with each committee member independently and confidentially casting ballots.
Matt Adler, Director of Partnerships at Green Sports Alliance
Sne Desai, Chief Innovation Officer at Xylem
Vetri Dhagumundi, Global Natural Resources Director - Responsible Supply Chain at Nike
Catherine Coleman Flowers, Founder of Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice
Julian Gonzalez, Senior Legislative Counsel at Earthjustice
Ann Hayden, Vice President of Climate Resilient Water Infrastructure at Environmental Defense Fund
Ellen Herbert, Senior Scientist at Ducks Unlimited
Upmanu Lall, Director of the Water Institute at Arizona State University
Travis Loop, Founder of waterloop nonprofit news outlet
Alex Loucopoulos, Partner at Sciens Water
Nidhi Menon, Accelerator Manager at Imagine H2O
Paul O’Callaghan, CEO of BlueTech Research
Erica Pann, Executive Director of Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable
Kishia Powell, General Manager at Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Will Sarni, Founder of Water Foundry
David Sedlak, Professor and Co-Director of the Water Center at the University of California-Berkeley
Raj Shukla, Former CEO of River Network
Mae Stevens, CEO of American Business Water Coalition and Chair of Water Infrastructure Practice at Banner Public Affairs
Tara Varghese, Global Water Stewardship Lead at Google
NEXT NOMINATION PERIOD
Nominations for the Hydro20 will open January 5, 2026.
INVOLVEMENT
Those interested in supporting the Hydro20 initiative should contact Hydro20 organizers.
