Jorge Richardson, Founder, HOPE Hydration
Redefining public water access with IoT-enabled refill stations that deliver free, purified water, reduce plastic waste, and feature advertising on digital screens for financial viability.

Richard Diaz, Infrastructure Field Manager, BlueGreen Alliance
Advocates for policies to replace lead pipes, create well-paying local jobs, and ensure infrastructure investments protect public health and strengthen communities.

Seth Watkins, Farmer, Pinkhook Farm (Agriculture)
Transformed his Iowa farm through regenerative practices, pushed for smarter agricultural policies, and raised awareness of farming’s impacts on the Mississippi River.

Britton Smith, Lead Singer, Britton and the Sting (Arts)
Uses music to spark imaginations and conversations about water’s importance through his theatrical show Mama, which was featured on World Water Day.

Dan Tudesco, Associate Director of Community Water Systems, Brita (Business)
Leads partnerships with hundreds of cities to provide filters, ensuring clean water during lead service line replacements and reducing single-use plastic.

Teal Lehto, Western Water Girl (Communications)
Reaches 70,000 TikTok followers with bold content unpacking Western water issues, disrupting traditional media, and mobilizing a new generation of advocates.

Jerry Holden, Director – Southern Region, Ducks Unlimited (Conservation)
Has led large-scale land conservation and wetland restoration across the Southern U.S., securing funds for coastal resilience and agricultural sustainability.

Dana Okano, Director, Hawaii Environmental Finance Center (Finance)
Created the center to direct millions toward infrastructure for island communities, blending financial innovation with Indigenous knowledge and community-led management.

Tom Gamble, Owner & Operator, Gamble Family Vineyards (Food & Beverage)
Redefines winemaking in Napa Valley with app-driven irrigation, data analytics, autonomous tractors, and water recycling to protect the Napa River.

Shanna Yazzie, Manager, Safety & Compliance, DigDeep (Frontlines)
Led teams to bring running water to remote Navajo Nation homes, where one in three lack access, while ensuring safe project execution.

Rachel Brown, Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of the Interior (Government)
Guided agency collaboration to direct billions into systems for Native communities, resolve Tribal water rights, and forge partnerships.

Lorelei Cloud, Vice Chairman, Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council (Indigenous)
Advocated for the Southern Ute Tribe’s water rights, chaired the Ten Tribes Partnership for Colorado River management, and became the first Native American on Colorado’s Water Conservation Board.

Alaina Harkness, CEO, Current (Innovation)
Leads Great Lakes ReNEW, a $160 million initiative accelerating water technology and the circular economy, building on innovation in Chicago.

Carletta Davis, President, We Matter Community Association (Justice)
Exposed systemic infrastructure failures in Prichard, Alabama, mobilized residents, and secured federal intervention for safe sanitation and affordable water.

Manny Teodoro, Professor of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin–Madison (Policy)
Challenges water governance with data-driven research, including Wisconsin’s first water system report cards and a book on public distrust of tap water.

Raha Hakimdavar, CEO, Zyon Space; Professor, Georgetown University (Science)
Developed space-based hydrology at NASA, advanced watershed research, and now leads real-time water monitoring in the private sector.

Omar Mitchell, VP of Sustainable Infrastructure and Growth Initiatives, National Hockey League (Sports)
Drives sustainability by cutting arena consumption, deploying efficiency tools, and launching restoration efforts like Gallons for Goals.

Greg Newbloom, Founder & CEO, Membrion (Technology)
Transforms industrial wastewater treatment with breakthrough membrane technology that recovers water and critical minerals while reducing costs and emissions.

Scales onsite water reuse, recycling up to 95% of building wastewater in projects like Salesforce Tower, while advancing supportive policies and outreach.

Aaron Kirkland, Superintendent, Green Stormwater Operations, Philadelphia Water Department (Utility)
Oversees green infrastructure maintenance and builds a workforce of community members seeking careers.