SWAN 10th Annual Conference - swan-2020.com · Environmentalist. In 2016 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Society of the Environment and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution

SWAN 10th Annual Conference - Featured Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Peter Simpson - Chief Executive, Anglian Water Group

Peter has been Chief Executive of Anglian Water Group since

October 2013 and was previously Managing Director of Anglian

Water from January 2010, and Chief Operating Officer from 2004.

He was Chairman of Water UK from April 2012-October 2013 and is

a Past President of the Institute of Water. Peter is a member of

Prince of Wales Corporate Leaders Group, run by the University of

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. This influences at

a national, EU and global level to reduce carbon emissions, and to

champion resource efficiency in water, energy and other natural

resources. Peter also works with Business in the Community as

Chair of the Water Taskforce and has recently joined the Board of

Trustees of WaterAid. Peter is a Chartered Water and

Environmental Manager, a Chartered Scientist and Chartered

Environmentalist. In 2016 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the

Society of the Environment and an Honorary Fellow of the

Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, as

well as Companion of the Chartered Management Institute. He

holds an MBA from Warwick Business School.

Megan Glover - Co-Founder and CEO, 120WaterAudit

Megan Glover is the Co-Founder and CEO of 120WaterAudit, a

software and point of use company that provides solutions to

Government Agencies, Public Water Systems and School Districts

to manage their lead in drinking water programs. A data and

software veteran, prior to founding 120WaterAudit she spent

nearly 15 years as an executive building and scaling various

software as a service products in the midwest. With a passion and

knowledge base for utilizing modern software technology to solve

problems, 120WaterAudit provides modern software and tools

necessary to solve some of our most complex drinking water

challenges.

Bruce Chalmers - Vice President – People & Places Solutions, Europe

Bruce Chalmers has been 27 years with Jacobs during which time

his career has spanned a wider range of Jacobs markets including

Environmental, Water, Ports, Highways, Flood Management and

Major Projects & Programmes while also finding some time to work

overseas in Malaysia. In recent years he has fulfilled several senior

Operational and Sales Leadership positions before taking on his

current role as Vice President for the new Water and Environment

operating unit within Jacobs People & Places Solutions line of

business in Europe.

As such he is accountable for business performance, growth and

leadership of the 2500 talented professionals from a wide range of

technical disciplines from environmental, catchment management,

water, energy, maritime, tunnelling and ground engineering. He

combines this operational leadership with Executive Sponsorship of

several key client relationships including the Environment Agency,

Esso, United Utilities and South East Water.

Bruce is passionate about teamwork, collaboration and

accountability. He has a keen eye for sales and growth and sees one

of the most enjoyable aspects of his role connecting clients with

solutions from across the sectors and geographies. He believes that

the platform, need and the opportunity exists right now for a

step-change in how we manage our assets and work collaboratively

to break down barriers to deliver better environmental outcomes.

Amitabh Kant - CEO – National Institution for the Transformation of India (NITI Aayog)

Amitabh Kant is presently CEO of National Institution for Transforming

India (NITI Aayog). He is a member of the Indian Administrative

Service, IAS (Kerala Cadre: 1980 batch). He is the author of Branding

India-An Incredible Story and has edited “The Path Ahead-

Transformative Ideas for India”. Kant has been a key driver of the

“Make in India”, Startup India, “Incredible India” and God’s Own

Country” initiatives that positioned India and Kerala State as leading

manufacturing and tourism destinations. These campaigns have won

several international awards and embraced a host of activities –

infrastructure development, product enhancement, private-public

partnership and positioning and branding based on extensive market

research.

Amitabh Kant has been the Chairman & CEO of the Delhi Mumbai

Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC). The Delhi

Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is being developed by the

Government of India as a global manufacturing and investment

destination supported by world class infrastructure and enabling

policy framework. The DMIC project is aimed at the development of

futuristic, smart industrial cities in India which will converge and

integrate next generation technologies across sectors. The DMIC

cities will address not merely the urbanization requirements of India,

but with manufacturing as the main economic base, will also

contribute significantly to the economic growth of India.

In his capacity as Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy and

Promotion) Govt. of India, he vigorously drove the Ease of Doing

Business initiative and ranking of States on outcome parameters.

These initiatives have led to India making a quantum jump in the

World Bank’s Ease of Doing Index and enabled Indian States to

compete in the spirit of competitive federalism. He is the Chairman of

the Committee to implement Digital Payment in India.

Mr. Kant has been the recipient of Economic Times Policy Change

Agent of the Year Award, the Bloomberg TV Personality of the year

Award, the NDTV Administrator of the year Award and the

Distinguished Fellowship of the Institute of Directors. He is the

recipient of One Globe Award-2016 for leadership in Transforming

Governance for the 21st Century. He is also the recipient of Sir

Edmund Hillary Fellowship awarded by the Prime Minister of New

Zealand. He is a Member of the Steering Board of “Shaping the Future

of Production Systems” of the World Economic Forum. He is also the

recipient of Golden Peacock Award for Leadership in Economic

Transformation-2017.

Amitabh Kant has worked as CEO, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor

Corporation, CMD – ITDC, Joint Secretary – Ministry of Tourism,

Government of India, Secretary – Tourism, Government of Kerala,

Managing Director, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation,

District Collector, Kozikhode and Managing Director, Matsyafed.

During his tenure in Kerala he structured the Calicut Airport as a

private sector project based on User’s Free and developed the BSES

Power Project and Mattanchery Bridge under Private Public

Partnership. He was also responsible for introducing new technology

(fiberglass crafts and outboard motor) in the fisheries sector and

launching beach level auctions which substantially enhanced returns

to traditional fishermen.

Amitabh Kant did his schooling from Modern School, Delhi, graduation

in Economics (Hons) from St. Stephens, Delhi University and M.A from

Jawaharlal Nehru University. He is a Chevening Scholar. He has also

undertaken a mid-term course with John F. Kennedy School of

Government, Harvard University and Indian Institute of Management

(IIM), Ahmadabad.

Featured Speakers

João Faria Feliciano - Chief Executive Officer, AGS

João has been working in the water sector for over 20 years, with

experience in several roles (from technical to management

positions, both in Portugal and abroad). As of 2014, Joao serves as

AGS’s Chief Executive Officer and manages AGS

operations/services in Europe, Brazil and Chile. Joao holds a PhD in

civil engineering focusing on strategic infrastructures and asset

management in urban water services, as well as an MBA and a

degree in hydraulics and water resources related areas.

Jennifer Rebeiro - Chief Information Officer, City West Water & SWAN Council Member

Jennifer Rebeiro is the Chief Information Officer at City West

Water. Jennifer has led teams across a wide range of industries

and functions, challenging and transforming each one to respond

to the evolving business environment and changing community

expectations.

She has managed a number of operations and projects ranging

across a wide set of industries, from Banking and Finance,

Transport, Manufacturing, Property Services, Telecommunications

and Government.

She has over 20 years across diverse industries where she has

gained excellence in transformation, project management and

change management.

Jennifer has a Master of Information Technology Management,

Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Business, is a

Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company

Directors, and has a range of ICT and project management industry

accreditations.

Jennifer’s core strengths are her people focus, business mindset,

and having the courage to bring bold ideas to life through

determination, influence, cross-organisational collaboration and

hard work. Continually learning from her own successes and

challenges and those of her team’s and with over 10 years’

experience in the public sector, Jennifer demonstrates her

unwavering commitment to living the values of the public sector

every day.

Martine Watson - Network Operations Manager, Unitywater

Martine has been with Unitywater for 4 years. She leads the

Network Operations branch of Unitywater, a water and sewerage

utility in a fast-growing region of South-East Queensland,

Australia. Martine unites teams of people representing the 24/7

Control Room, Network Engineering, Operational Technology,

and Works Planning to make this happen. Martine has extensive

experience across both the water and energy sectors and a

passion for the advances in technology. She leads the SWAN

Asia-Pacific Partnerships Group, which aims to accelerate smart

water and wastewater development in the APAC region. Martine

has qualifications in Electrical Engineering and a Graduate

Diploma in Business and has previously held roles at BHP Billiton,

Cairns Water, Queensland Urban Utilities and Powerlink.

Frederico Fernandes - Chief Executive, Águas do Porto

Frederico Fernandes is the CEO of the municipal company

responsible for the management of urban water cycles in the city

of Porto. His main corporate functions include strategic planning,

project sponsoring, performance indicators monitoring, IT and

innovation management, global budgeting and financial

oversight, and institutional relationships. Previously, he was a

member of the Executive Board, and prior to that, he worked in

construction and retail companies. Frederico obtained a Master

of Business Administration (MBA) in Porto Business School and

has a Master`s degree in Civil Engineering in Faculty of

Engineering of the University of Porto.

Mark Gobbie - General Manager Asset Operations & Delivery, South Australian Water Corp

Mark has almost 40 years’ experience as a professional engineer

and General Manager in infrastructure delivery, with specialist

expertise in water and wastewater. In his substantive role with

the Corporation, Mark makes sure the organisations services

meet the needs of our more than 1.7 million customers’ in the

most efficient way. His teams look after asset management, bulk

water and wastewater operations, capital works, Laboratory

Services and River Murray Operations.

Prior to joining SA Water, Mark was employed with Kellogg,

Brown and Root (KBR), most recently as its Vice President Water

in the Companies Infrastructure Business Unit. Mark has been

involved in major projects and operated businesses in the water,

transport, minerals, oil and gas, environment and building areas

throughout Australia, SE Asia, Middle East, UK, and USA.

Eva Martinez Diaz - Smart Services Manager, Aqualia

Eva is responsible for Smart Services in the Innovation Department

at Aqualia. This involves technical and economical assessment of

state-of-the-art technologies in the water sector, and

implementing, evaluating and optimizing them through R&D

projects related to water, environment and sustainability in which

ICT technologies play a leading role. Eva developed her career

within the industrial sector, mainly across international

environments. She accumulated 15 years of experience in strategy

development, project management, and leading business with

public and private entities. Eva earned an Agricultural Engineering

Degree from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain), holds a

BSc (Hons) in Environment Sciences at Coventry University (UK),

and an MSc in Integrated Environmental Management at

Nottingham Trent University (UK).

Dukessa Blackburn-Huettner - Head of Lifecycle Management, Auckland Council

Leading the Lifecycle Management group for Auckland Council’s

Healthy Waters, Dukessa is the asset owner and manager

responsible for planning, operating and maintaining Auckland’s

Stormwater Network and Small Water and Wastewater Systems.

Stormwater conveyance, flood, drought, and community water

supply management, while achieving water quality and

environmental improvements, in a high growth region with a

changing climate, presents a diversity of challenges and

opportunities to implement new and emerging smart water

solutions. Being a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and

Fellow of Engineering NZ, she has over 20yrs experience leading

planning, development, operation and management of mainly

three waters infrastructure, initially through consulting both in

New Zealand and Europe, and then local government. Dukessa is

always driving innovation, continuous improvement and

technical excellence to increase efficiencies in managing water

assets and deliver community outcomes. Dukessa is and has been

involved in many industry bodies having just completed six years

on the board of WaterNZ the final two as chair, is on the NAMS

and WaterNZ technical committee.

Waseem Khan - Senior Engineer, PUB

Waseem Khan is a Senior Engineer within PUB, Singapore’s

National Water Agency. He leads the Leak Detection Unit in the

Water Supply Network (WSN) Department. He oversees a team

responsible for detecting leaks throughout Singapore ensuring that

any disruption to the water supply is kept to a minimum. Water is

a precious resource in Singapore which needs to be managed

effectively and so Waseem is always looking for new technologies

in asset management.

Graduating from the National University of Singapore with a

Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science in Mechanical

Engineering, Waseem has over 5 years of leak detection, condition

assessment, and asset management experience. His experience in

leak detection has brought him around the world, working with

water utilities in various situations and conditions. His notable

achievements include installing and commissioning a permanent

monitoring system throughout Singapore to monitor large

diameter water mains.

Dr. Mark Fletcher - Global Water Leader, Arup

Mark currently leads the Global Water Business in Arup. He was made

an Arup Fellow in 2017. He was also made an Honorary Fellow of the

Society for the Environment in June 2018 and a Fellow of the Royal

Academy of Engineering in 2019.

He is currently working with the Rockefeller Foundation on Water

Resilience Assessment of Cities with the support of the 100 Resilient

Cities, World Bank, and OECD. These include Cape Town, Mexico City,

Greater Miami, Amman, Rotterdam, Hull, Thessaloniki, and Greater

Manchester. He is Faculty Leader and Senior Lecturer for the Arup

University - MIT Sloan Business School Masters course on ‘Resilience

of Urban Systems’ (programmed from 2017-2020). He was also

Chairman of the River Mersey Task Force.

He received an Honorary Doctorate (DEng) in 2015 for his work on

sustainable water management from Bradford University, the highest

honour they can confer. He was Honorary Visiting Professor to

Bradford University in Engineering Design for Sustainable

Development from 2009 – 2012 and Royal Academy of Engineering

Visiting Professor in Engineering Design for Sustainable Development

to Bradford University from 2003 – 2009.

He was Project Director for the Bradford City Park, one of the largest

urban water regeneration projects in the UK and winner of the BCIA

Regeneration Project of the Year 2012.

He has extensive experience working with regulators, local authorities,

water companies, environmental agencies and has advised at a

regional, national and trans-national level. He has a particular interest

in urban water resilience, engineering geology of dams and

sustainable flood risk management, surface water management and

green infrastructure. He has worked across the water cycle and

around the world for over 30 years.

He is on the Organising Committee for Singapore International Water

Week and has recently given keynotes including most recently at

Interflood Asia 2019 in Singapore, Stormwater Poland 2019 in Gdansk,

Stockholm World Water Week in 2018, Singapore International Water

Week in 2018, The Resilience Shift Global Knowledge Exchange in

London, 2018, the United Nations Disaster Risk Recovery Conference

in Rome 2018, the Asia Development Bank Resilience Conference in

Manila in 2018, the International Conference on Water Sensitive

Urban Design in Perth in 2018, The World Water Congress in Tokyo,

2018 and COP21, COP22 and COP23.

He is a Chartered Civil Engineer, Chartered Scientist, Chartered

Environmentalist, Chartered Geologist and Chartered Water and

Environmental Manager. He is also the Chairman of the Water

Industry Forum, on the Leadership Council of the UK Water

Partnership and was recently appointed as a Board Director with

British Water.

Jennifer Sara - Global Director, Water Practice, World Bank Group

Jennifer Sara is the Global Director for the World Bank Group’s

Water Global Practice. Prior to taking on this position, Ms. Sara

served for four years as Director, overseeing operational delivery

in the Water Global Practice at the World Bank. She has over 30

years of experience working on global water issues, including

overseas assignments for the World Bank as Sector Manager for

Sustainable Development based in Hanoi, Vietnam (2010 – 2014);

Sector Leader in Brazil (2006 – 2010); and Water and Sanitation

Specialist in Bolivia (1990 – 1995).

Ms. Sara leads the Practice’s senior management team, which

drives policy direction, oversees a portfolio of $30 billion in

water-related investments, conducts analytical work, and

manages multi-donor trust funds and global partnerships. Under

her leadership, the Water Global Practice supports an integrated

approach to water security with a focus on sustaining water

resources, delivering services and building resilience. The Water

Global Practice team works across sectors to solve global water

challenges and provides tailored operational support and policy

advice to countries in response to specific needs and arising

challenges.

Ms. Sara holds an MSc in Environmental Management from the

University of London, Wye College, and a BSc in Environmental

Engineering from Brown University. She is Governor of the World

Water Council and serves on the International Council of the

American Water Works Association as well as the International

Advisory Committee of the World Wildlife Fund’s Healthy Rivers

for All Initiative.

Joone Lopez - General Manager, Moulton Niguel Water District

Joone Lopez is the General Manager of the Moulton Niguel

Water District, which provides water, wastewater, and recycled

water services to six cities in South Orange County. Before

joining Moulton Niguel, she served as the General Manager of

Calaveras County Water District located in Northern California.

Joone’s prior experience includes working for Apple Valley

Ranchos Water Company as its Assistant General Manager and

serving as the Deputy General Manager of Central Basin

Municipal Water District.

Joone is a Board Member for California WateReuse Association,

California Water Data Consortium, The Smart Water Networks

Forum Utility Advisory Group, Southern California Water

Coalition, South Orange County Wastewater Authority,

WaterNow Alliance, Water Environment Federation’s Diversity

and Inclusion Task Force, and UC Irvine Water Leadership Board.

She’s also a founding member of the California Data

Collaborative, a non-profit representing 21 million Californians,

focused on leveraging data and technology to enhance water

management policies statewide.

In her personal time, Joone serves as a Board Member for

Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Orange County & Inland Empire

Chapter, Tilly’s Life Center, and United Way Orange County

Leadership Council to End Homelessness.

Preceding her career in the water industry, Joone was a Police

Officer for the City of Pasadena, where she received the Silver

Medal of Courage for valour under fire. She holds a Master’s

Degree in Public Administration from the California State

University of Northridge and a Bachelor’s Degree in

Communications from the University of California San Diego.

Tom Hickmann - CEO, Tualatin Valley Water District

Tom Hickmann is a licensed professional engineer with more

than twenty years of experience in numerous areas of Civil

Engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

from California State University Sacramento and an Executive

Masters in Public Administration from Portland State University.

Tom has fifteen years of experience in the management of

utilities and planning of infrastructure. He has brought new

technologies into the infrastructure planning process to better

integrate financial analysis and public engagement. He has

served as a Water Utility Manager, Water Technical Services

Manager, Assistant Public Works Director, City Engineer, Director

of Engineering and Infrastructure Planning, and is currently the

CEO of Tualatin Valley Water District.