Water Leadership Institute

The Water Leadership Institute created the ideal environment for me to create lasting connections with other water professionals. It was so useful to discuss meaningful leadership challenges that impact our sector specifically and have a cohort of professionals to bounce ideas off of. I've created lasting relationships from many different parts of the industry including public, private, non-profit, and academia. WLI not only creates a meaningful leadership training program, but it also builds a foundation to stay engaged with classmates and other WLI alumni in to the future. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone looking to build connections in the water industry while working on your leadership skills. 

Attending the Water Leadership Institute Program by WEF was a transformative experience. The two in-person sessions were particularly impactful, offering invaluable lessons on checking biases, effective presentation skills, and leading by leveraging team strengths. We delved into the art of leading by following, navigating difficult conversations, and enhancing emotional intelligence to improve leadership. The program also emphasized the importance of setting and adhering to S.M.A.R.T. goals. This comprehensive training has equipped me with the skills to lead effectively, even without a formal leadership title, fostering both personal and professional growth.

One of the best learning points from this program occurred during the months of preparation and work on our projects.  We all had busy schedules, personal life diversions, professional expectations, and deadlines to meet, which is exactly what a day in the life looks like for leaders.  These diversions caused our team to have to swerve, bend, reassign and venture into areas outside of our normal comfort zone, but we did it!  It was an excellent reminder of what leadership is—willingness to set goals, deadlines, and expectations, but even more importantly, have the willingness to be flexible and care about the humans who surround us and trust that it will all work out.  Thank you to team 6 pool 2 for your honor and grace over the span of this project and well in to the future.

As an Operator, the WLI has shown me a side of the industry that I was never aware of or ever paid attention too. Working at a treatment plant focused on day to day operations; I was blind to how vast and divers it actually is. The arrangement of students ranged from operators, engineers, suppliers and scientist. The mixture of the groups and interactions really brought everything together and shined a new light on how I view the wastewater industry. It made me even more proud of what I do. The speakers and topics were really great and easy to relate to despite any position you’re in. If there was a part 2 I would be on it in a heartbeat!"

The Water Leadership Institute was not only an opportunity for me to grow within my leadership skills but also meet like minded peers from the cohort and steering committee that acted as a source of inspiration and fuel! The topics covered were absolutely relevant to my day to day activities. After graduating from the WLI 2023 cohort, I not only feel better equipped to lead but I also found a community that I can reach out to for feedback and suggestions. Thank you WLI Steering Committee and WEF Staff for putting such great program together. I feel honored to have been part of the WLI 2023 cohort, the GOAT!”

As one of now 237 WLI alumni of this seven year old program, I believe the 2018 WLI program was successful because of the committee’s active commitment to continuous improvement. Reviewing my experience with fellow members that graduated between one, two and three years ago, the activities that made this program so valuable for me were as a result of feedback from years past, and is a testimony to the dedication of the team to each participant’s success. If you consider applying, discuss the potential this brings to you and to your company with your supervisor and colleagues. The value to those you work with is palpable within a few days of enrollment and you will be able to apply them almost immediately to your daily work life.

I couldn't be happier to be a part of the 2023 cohort! Not only did I learn a lot from the leaders that spoke to us, I learned so much from my fellow classmates and I know that the relationships we all formed will continue to grow over the years. I strongly encourage all water professionals to apply for the program - it will help to make them better leaders and will help grow their professional network. I love knowing that I can call or reach out to any of the other participants and know that they will be there for me, like I would be there for any of them.”

The Water Leadership Institute was one of the best opportunities I have had in my career in the field of Water and Wastewater. Connecting with people who face similar issues on a day to day basis, not only with technical related similarities, but with common goals in building strong teams, growth as a leader, and in nurturing and embracing the next generation of the Water Industry as a whole. I learned a great deal about myself, and my leadership style. I feel that I can expand my growth even further and much more rapidly with what I have gained through the WLI."

Participating in the WLI program has been a massive highlight of my professional career to date and is something that I strongly recommend to anyone in the water industry wanting to increase their leadership skills and expand their professional network. The program efficiently presents information with effective presenters and well-designed follow up activities, with a final project that brings the learning topics full circle. The fact that every participant wants to be in the course and is excited to be participating results in the most enthusiastic learning experience that I have ever experienced. Gaining a close-knit group of industry peers from all aspects of the water industry is an additional benefit of being part of the WLI family."