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WaterNow is committed to celebrating and elevating local leaders who do the hard work of advancing innovative, sustainable, equitable, and climate resilient water solutions in their communities. We believe that exceptional leaders can be found at every level within cities, towns, utilities, and other public water resource agencies, and that their professional development is key to ensuring our best water future. For these reasons WaterNow has developed the Emerging Leader Awards to recognize and support the next generation of water leaders and help them further their careers.  

The Emerging Leader Awards recognize diverse mid-level water utility professionals who are poised to take on leadership positions in the coming years. These individuals have demonstrated promise and creativity in advancing meaningful cultural change in the areas of sustainability, equity, or community engagement. Emerging Leaders awardees will receive a $1,500 stipend to support their leadership training and professional development. To learn more about WaterNow’s Emerging Leader Award and eligibility, visit our website at: https://waternow.org/emerging-leader-awards/.

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* 1. Please share the nominee's information

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* 2. The Emerging Leader is designed for water utility professionals. Is your nominee employed at a water utility, municipality, special district, or other public entity with responsibility for drinking water, wastewater, and/or stormwater services?

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* 3. Is the nominee a member of WaterNow Alliance?

(Membership is not required for nominees, but awardees will be asked to join WaterNow Alliance. Membership is free and involves the completion of a short online form.)

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* 4. Please provide brief background information about the nominee and describe why you believe they deserve an Emerging Leader Award (or if you are self-nominating, why you do), including at least one specific project or initiative that they (or you) have undertaken. The description should demonstrate:

a.     How the project or initiative addresses sustainability and/or climate resilience, (e.g., the nominee led a program to implement a new green infrastructure program);

b.     If applicable, how the initiative advances water equity in the water space. (e.g., the nominee developed a bill assistance program for low-income ratepayers);

c.     The initiative’s actual or potential impact; and

d.     The nominee’s specific traits and/or skills that demonstrate important leadership potential.

Please include specifics about the leadership role played by the nominee in advancing the particular project or initiative(s) and the nominee’s related leadership accomplishments, if any. (500 word max.)

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* 5. Emerging leaders awardees include mid-level utility and municipal staff of diverse backgrounds, poised to take on leadership positions in future years. This award includes a commitment to highlighting those who are underrepresented in the utility space, in terms of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, ability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other aspects of identity.

We welcome you to share any aspects of your or your nominee's identity or background—whether mentioned above or not—that have shaped their leadership journey and professional goals.

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* 6. Please upload files or share links to any additional supporting materials such as video clips, newspaper or publication articles, reports, letters signed by supporting policy initiatives, or any other documentation that supports the nominee’s accomplishments and impact.

If you prefer, you may also email any supporting materials as attachments to info@waternow.org (please include the nominee’s name in the subject line, i.e., Emerging Leader Award Materials for “Name”).

Please upload files using the button below:

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* 7. Please share any links in the comment box below:

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* 8. Your Information (if different from nominee):

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