WEF Announces WEFTEC 2026 Opening General Session Speaker: Diana Kander, Unleash Your Curiosity

WEFTEC 2026 Opening General Session
Monday, September 28 | 8:30 – 9:30 AM

The water sector is navigating a period of tremendous change. Relying on technical expertise alone is not enough to address the challenges of aging infrastructure, evolving regulations, major workforce transitions, and new technologies. Meeting these challenges will require innovation, adaptability, and a willingness to rethink traditional approaches.

WEFTEC 2026 Opening General Session Speaker, Diana Kander, will challenge water professionals to unlock one of the most powerful yet underutilized drivers of innovation: curiosity. Kander will explore how teams can overcome the limitations of expertise, challenge long-held assumptions, and uncover new opportunities for improvement. While experience remains essential, organizations that continue to question, learn, and adapt are often best positioned to innovate.

Kander's message is particularly relevant for water professionals tasked with solving complex problems while preparing for the future. For water professionals facing evolving regulations, emerging technologies, workforce challenges, and growing community expectations, curiosity can be a powerful catalyst for innovation.

An entrepreneur, bestselling author, and innovation strategist, Kander helps organizations build cultures that embrace experimentation, creativity, and continuous learning. Her work has helped leaders across industries navigate change and uncover new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Kander is the author of several bestselling books, including The Curiosity Muscle, which provides a practical framework for asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and creating adaptable organizations for a changing world.

Register for WEFTEC 2026 today and join us on Monday, September 28, at 8:30 AM as we kick off this year’s event with a fresh perspective on curiosity and innovation and how they can help shape the future of water.