<ul>
<li>11:15-11:35; Smart Water Solutions: Paving the Way for Sustainable Water Treatment.</li>
<li>11:35-11:55; DuPont Water App: Utilizing Advanced Digital Capabilities to Help Achieve Operational and Sustainability Goals</li>
<li>11:55-12:15; AIVATAR. Beyond digital twins.</li>
<li>12:15-12:35; Water Solutions Sustainability Navigator - Simplifying the journey to sustainable water management </li>
<li>12:35-12:55; Supercharging Water Operations: AI & IIoT for Maximum Efficiency and Reliability</li>
<li>12:55-13:10; Transforming the Water Supply Chain: Driving Growth, Maximizing Profitability and Ensuring Sustainability through Digitalisation.</li>
</ul>

The Future of Digitalisation: Embracing Innovation for a Sustainable Tomorrow.

Chief Digital Officer,  Veolia Water Technologies

Dipl.- Geol., MBA Reinhard Klaus
After graduating in geology, more than 15 years as managing director of his own engineering consulting firm specializing in water supply, municipal infrastructure and environmental remediation. 
Then 4 years as Managing Director at CDM Smith Consult, including Head of Municipal Infrastructure. 
From 2010 - 2018, after completing an executive MBA degree, self-employed consultant in international business development, specializing in drinking water supply, well construction, groundwater remediation. 
From 01/2019 – 03/2024 at Xylem as Business Development Manager Assessment Services & Digital Services for Central and Northern Europe.
Since 04/2024 with Rosenxt as New Market Development Manager  Water Line Infrastructure Team.

Asset Management, Rosen-NXT

Autobiography of Oleg Dubov
My name is Oleg Dubov, and I was born on August 11, 1982, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to scientific research and technological development in water treatment, plasma applications, and chemical engineering. My academic background and extensive professional experience have led me to a fulfilling career in both academia and the private sector.
Education and Academic Achievements I hold a PhD in Nanoscience, Materials, and Chemical Engineering from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Catalonia, Spain. My doctoral research focused on the development of innovative materials and technologies for water treatment, including electrochemical processes and advanced oxidation methods. Prior to that, I earned a Master’s degree in Global Management of Innovation and Technology from Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland, where my thesis explored the profitability of recycling small electronic devices for the recovery of critical materials. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Saint Petersburg State University, where I specialized in physical chemistry and membrane methods for water treatment.
Professional Experience Currently, I serve as a co-founder and Chief Technical Officer at FIDCHEM S.L., a company based in Spain that specializes in the application of cold pulsed corona discharge plasma for water treatment. Our primary focus is on the removal of persistent organic pollutants such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and polychlorinated pollutants, as well as disinfection of water. Simultaneously, I work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, where I continue my research on PFAS removal using advanced plasma-based technologies.
Previously, I held the position of Advanced Researcher at Eurecat, the Catalonian Technology Centre. In this role, I was responsible for public and private projects related to chemical and electrochemical advanced oxidation of water contaminants, as well as the development of electrochemical sensors for water impurities.
From 2011 to 2018, I served as the Head of the R&D Department at the BTP Group of Companies, which operates in the field of water and wastewater treatment. During my time there, I led innovative projects focused on advanced oxidation processes, zero liquid discharge technologies, heavy metal removal, and the adaptation of various treatment methods to industrial wastewater challenges. My responsibilities included project management, technical analysis, data modeling, and collaboration with research institutions for joint projects.
My earlier professional experience includes working as a research chemist and research technician at Aquaphor Corporation, one of Russia’s leading producers of household water treatment systems. I contributed to the development of new antiseptic materials and methods for water sterilization, as well as the synthesis of fiber-selective ion exchange materials for heavy metal removal.
Research Interests and Contributions My research interests lie in the field of chemical and electrochemical water treatment, with a particular focus on plasma applications for the removal of persistent organic pollutants. Over the years, I have conducted numerous R&D projects related to membrane technologies, advanced oxidation processes, and electrochemical sensing. My work has resulted in several patents, including methods for producing nitrogen-rich carbon nitride coatings, mobile water purification stations, and devices for backwash water treatment.
Throughout my career, I have presented my research at international conferences, published in peer-reviewed journals, and collaborated with industrial partners and academic institutions. I am passionate about bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical industrial applications, especially in the field of water treatment technologies.
Skills and Expertise I possess a broad range of skills, including project management, process optimization, and hands-on laboratory work. My expertise spans various chemical analysis techniques, such as HPLC, gas chromatography, and FTIR spectroscopy, as well as electrochemical methods and surface analysis. I am proficient in programming languages like Python for data analysis and automation and have experience with microcontroller platforms such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
In addition to my technical skills, I am fluent in English and have a strong command of Spanish. My native language is Russian.
Personal Motivation My professional journey has been driven by a deep interest in addressing global environmental challenges, particularly in the realm of water treatment. I am committed to developing sustainable solutions that can help mitigate the impact of industrial pollutants on water resources. My work at FIDCHEM S.L. and my ongoing research at Universitat Rovira i Virgili are testaments to my dedication to this cause.
In conclusion, my career has been shaped by a combination of scientific curiosity, practical problem-solving, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the environment. I continue to seek new opportunities to advance my knowledge and contribute to innovative solutions in the field of water treatment and environmental sustainability.

Co-founder, CTO, FIDCHEM.SL

Founder & CEO, Orb

Liang-Shin Wang is a PhD candidate in Biopolymer from Water Theme at Wetsus and Eindhoven University of Technology. Her research focuses on a renewable semi-crystalline biopolymer, polyhydroxyalkanoates, with the aim of integrating the polymer recovery process with solution processing to membranes and films. Her experience has been on projects related to polymer properties modulation, membrane formulation, and performance analysis.

PhD Researcher, Wetsus

Johan holds a degree in Industrial Engineering in Chemistry and a post-master's degree in Environmental Sciences. Since 2000, he has worked as a researcher specializing in water technology at VITO, contributing to various industrial sectors. Over the years, he has participated in numerous research projects (e.g., FP7, H2020, IWT-VIS, and open calls), which have helped him build extensive technological expertise. Currently, he serves as a Business Developer within the Water Team at VITO. In this role, he facilitates collaboration between researchers and industry, helping to address water challenges and accelerate water-innovation.

Business Developer Unit Water & Energy Transition, VITO

Sofie has a Masters’ degree in bioengineering and has worked as environmental process engineer in the water technology sector and the pharmaceutical sector. At VITO she works on acquisition and management of consultancy and research projects in the following domains: industrial water and wastewater management, circular water and implementation of sustainable water concepts.

Project Lead Water & Industry, VITO

From my role as Permitting Lead with HyCC, we are applying for the necessary permits for future green hydrogen production sites in the Netherlands. This is entirely in line with my personal motivations, including my desire to contribute to the energy transition. The energy transition will not succeed through the success of a single company but through the partnership of various parties within the Netherlands. We also aim to limit water consumption, for example, by exploring the possibility of using RWZI effluent in the production process when permissible.

Permitting lead, HyCC

Stephen Wheeler is a Senior Ion Exchange Technologist at ResinTech, a US manufacturer of ion exchange products based in Camden, New Jersey. He has been in the water treatment industry for over 15 years.
 
Stephen runs the technical and applications support group for ResinTech and has been involved with their laboratory and R&D efforts to identify and remediate PFAS contaminants. Stephen has presented at multiple technical conferences on PFAS remediation technologies.
 
Stephen holds a degree in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State University and is an Environmental Commissioner for the Borough of Clayton, NJ.

Senior Ion Exchange Technologist, ResinTech Inc

cientific Technical Lead & Flood Modeler,  RSS-Hydro

Jordi Bacardit serves as a Marketing Manager for DuPont Water Solutions, where he oversees the Industrial Water and Energy sector across Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is also the global segment lead for Energy, encompassing Power Generation, Lithium Brine Purification, and Green Hydrogen. With over 15 years of experience in water treatment, Jordi has expertise in technology and application development, technical service, commercial development, and marketing roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Barcelona, complemented by an MBA from the University Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain.

Marketing Manager - Industrial Water & Energy, EMEA, DuPont Water Solutions

Teamleider   Energie & Circulaire Systemen, KWR Water

Vice President and General Manager, McEwen Copper

Kelli Fleischmann is an accomplished leader in the water quality and filtration industry, currently serving as the Vice President of Global Services at the Water Quality Association (WQA). With a proven track record in business development, operations management, and strategic planning, Kelli leads a global team, driving innovation and enhancing WQA’s product certification services to maximize customer satisfaction and market growth.
Prior to her current role, Kelli held leadership positions at Ahlstrom-Munksjo, where she spearheaded market expansion for advanced filtration technology, and at NSF International, where she led global teams in water systems and drinking water treatment certification. Her expertise in fostering collaboration, improving operational efficiency, and implementing customer-centric strategies has been instrumental in shaping industry standards.
Kelli’s career began with research in biochemistry at Detroit R&D, where she contributed to the development of drug metabolizing microarray kits. She later co-founded a creative graphics media startup, demonstrating her entrepreneurial mindset.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Detroit Mercy and remains committed to driving advancements in water quality, regulatory compliance, and customer engagement on a global scale.

Vice President of Global Services

I am a general manager and an civil engineer served in the Korea Water Resources Corporation. I have had extensive experiences in the water sector including water resources development, overseas projects, climate change adaptation and corporate strategy since 2005. Currently, I am leading the global marketing and project development leveraging the digital water management technology in the water utility such as digital twin water management platform, AI-enabled water treatment plant and smart water network management of K-water.

General Manager, K-water

Xylem

Head of Business Analytics (Scottish Water)

Charlotte Stewart,  Strategic Account Executive (Samotics)

AI Solutions Director  (Sand Technologies)

(PhD, Materials Science, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany) joined Kurita Europe GmbH in 2017 worked several years in Research and development as Innovations manager in water treatment with focus on boiler water, cooling water and geothermal applications. Since 2025 responsible as local technical manager in Benelux area.

LTM Manager BENELUX, Kurita

As a seasoned business development expert with 17+ years of experience, I've established a reputation for driving growth and innovation. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, I cultivated a passion for applying knowledge to real-world challenges. I earned a PGDMA degree in Paint & Resin Technology from JU University, Kolkata, and began my career at Kansai Nerolac, rising to R&D Specialist in 2010.
With a proven track record of success, I've led business development efforts for multiple organizations, including J K Protomax, Industrial Resins & Chemicals, where I achieved 10x sales growth in 8 years. My expertise lies in bridging the gap between technology and application, with a focus on environmental sustainability. As a natural connector, I thrive in marketing and partnership roles.
When I'm not working, you can find me exploring new destinations or recharging. I'm committed to making a lasting impact in my field and collaborating with like-minded professionals to drive positive change.

Co-Founder & COO, Exposome Pvt Ltd

Jorien has joined Orb as Chief Scientist after obtaining her PhD on biostability and microbial monitoring of drinking water at Ghent University in 2023. She is an expert in online monitoring technologies and focuses on applied research and development of microbial sensors for utilities, industry and reuse applications for Orb.

Chief Scientist, Orb

Wouter van Gerwen is a Value Engineering facilitator at Bilfinger Engineering & Consultancy with over 30 years of experience in the process industry. He is currently involved in the connection between innovative start-ups and corporates with challenges in the current era of transition.

Value Engineering Facilitator, Bilfinger Engineering & Consultancy

Alexander is a project manager at Antea Group and expert in water management, specializing in water strategies, disaster risk management, and sustainable industrial practices. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, they drive impactful solutions in environmental resilience, regulatory compliance, and circular resource use.

Project Manager water and climate, Antea Group

Ragne Pärnamäe is a Scientific Project Manager at Wetsus, specializing in electrochemical membrane technologies at the water-energy nexus. She holds a MSc in Chemical Engineering from Aarhus University and is currently pursuing a PhD at Wageningen University & Research, where her research focuses on alkaline water electrolysis and nickel-based hydrogen evolution catalysts.

Scientific Project Manager

Jan Bos is co-founder of Nuoro, a Belgian engineering cooperative with a focus on clean water and green energy.  Even before he could walk, Jan Bos’ parents took him out sailing. From a very young age, he was surrounded by the sea and the elements, which is where he developed a great passion for water, the environment, and the living world. Bio-engineering and environmental technologies are his habitat. His curiosity and adventurous spirit have led him around the world.
Jan Bos had the opportunity to live and work in Latin America on and off for about 10 years. He gained experience through dozens of fascinating projects, from small rural municipal wastewater treatment systems in Paraguay to state-of-the-art industrial wastewater and biogas projects in France, Australia, and Colombia. From conceptual design to basic and detailed engineering to commissioning and start-up: as a process engineer, he loves to see his designs come to life.

Director, Nuoro

Guillaume Clairet holds a Physics Engineering degree from Laval University, an MBA from the University of San Diego, and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Canada. In his early career, Mr. Clairet worked on projects involving groundwater remediation for the Canadian National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS). Since joining H2O Innovation in 2004, Guillaume has held multiple positions of increasing seniority in project management, sales, innovation & strategic business development. He has served in his current role as Chief Operating Officer of H2O Innovation since 2015 and he remains active in many industry associations (IDRA, WateReuse, WEF and AMTA). Mr. Clairet has previously served for 8 years on the Board of Directors of the International Desalination & Reuse Association (IDRA). He is currently a mentor for the Imagine H2O water start-up accelerator and is also actively involved as a General Partner of the specialized fund investing in water technology companies: Cycle-H2O.

COO, H2O Innovation

I’m a Spanish engineer with over 25 years’ experience specializing in wastewater projects and project management. My journey began in Spain, where I started working as a process designer and project manager, primarily focusing on industrial wastewater treatment systems.
For the past 15 years I’m living in the Netherlands, Amsterdam, where I’ve been involved in managing projects related to wastewater, drinking water and water governance. My expertise lies in the realms of sustainability and innovation, area’s I’m deeply passionate about. 
In essence, my goal is to deliver tangible results and driving positive change within the realm of water management, using my expertise and leadership skills to make a meaningful impact in this crucial field.
I am currently working between my two countries. In Spain, I focus on industrial water management in collaboration with Arcadis. In the Netherlands, I work as a water expert, collaborating with the water boards. Trying to integrate the knowledge from both countries.

Water matter expert, Arcadis Spain

Prof. Leo Posthuma is an expert in the field of environmental risks and sustainable development at the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and as Professor by special appointment 'Sustainability and Environmental Risks' at Radboud University Nijmegen.
Leo Posthuma studied biology at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. In 1987 he graduated cum laude, with specialisations in animal ecology, plant ecology, phytopathology and population genetics. His PhD-research at the same University focused on long-term effects of unintended mixtures of chemical pollutants. Working at RIVM since 1992, Leo is concerned with scientific support for decision-making under uncertainty, especially geared towards solving complex (‘wicked’) environmental problems. Keywords are environmental risks, sustainable development, and solution-focused and practical approaches and methodologies.
Leo currently acts as expert and project leader in projects on risks and sustainability ranging from local to global scales. His key interest lie in the provision of strategic goals, to provide universally applicable and validated knowledge, data and approaches. But also on effective application of such knowledge to current problems. His contributions to the latter range from solving problems with slightly contaminated soil, water and sediments up till the design and operationalization of a method for a swift disaster assessment and evaluation approach for United Nations field teams.
As expert and professor, Leo Posthuma focuses on the transposition of environmental problems into sustainable solutions.

Prof. and senior Researcher Sustainability and Environmental Risks

Program Manager, Water Stewardship SCS Global

Vanessa has a degree in European studies, specialized in business and communication, a master’s degree in international commerce and an MBA. At Isle Vanessa works as principal consultant in Isle´s European office, she is based in Spain. Vanessa has a broad experience in delivering new technologies for pipeline condition assessment and leak detection to utility clients around the globe.    
She has a broad experience in managing R&D projects for new technologies focusing on the client´s needs and expectations and the market up-take of these technologies. She furthermore has extensive experience in project management with clients in Europe, South America and the Middle East. Through her active participation, she has been able to establish a robust network of connections and gain a comprehensive insight into the requirements and obstacles encountered by utilities throughout the world, along with the emerging technologies that align with various demands.

Principal Consultant, Isle Utilities

Irene Marian is a Technical Sales Consultant with a degree in Chemical Sciences and over 15 years of experience in the water treatment and desalination industry.
 
She began her professional career in the pharmaceutical industry at Lilly Co., where she developed a focus on excellence and continuous improvement. 
 
Over 17 years ago, she joined Adiquimica, an international Spanish company specialized in water treatment products and services. Initially representing their commercial interests locally, her role soon expanded to include national and international business development, as well as developing transversal business lines such as IAQ. 
 
Working in business development, she found her passion in membrane technology, particularly reverse osmosis, and today combines her experience in the municipal sector with industrial demands to achieve increasingly greater water recoveries. 
 
Currently, she specializes in client and project management, sales, business development, and technical expertise within Adiquimica's Technical-Sales Department.

Sales Consultant, Adiquímica

Antonia is an Environmental Engineer with a M.Sc at Politecnico of Turin. She is currently based in Switzerland, and she works for Isle Utilities as a Technology Consultant within the industrial team.  She has working experience on water usage within many production processes, ranging from F&B, to O&G, textile, chemical and many more. She has expertise in water treatment technologies, utilities and is very passionate about water neutrality and water stewardship. Before joining Isle, she worked at Philip Morris International and Siegried on innovative treatment technologies pilot projects, applied to wastewater, wastewater recycling and cooling towers.

Technology Consultant, Isle utilities

Tina Donda serves as the Senior Vice President of IAPMO R&T's Water Systems program, where she leads strategic planning and oversees key initiatives within the division. With over 20 years of experience in the water treatment industry, Tina has an extensive background in both the technical and operational aspects of product certifications. Prior to her current role, she managed the daily operations of IAPMO R&T’s product certification program for water treatment products. Tina is also actively involved in standards writing groups, contributing to the revision of existing standards and the development of new ones. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, and Management from Penn State University.

Senior VicePresident, IAPMO R&T's Water System Program

Director at Policontrol, specialized in sales and market development with solid experience in the consumer goods segment. Raphael has a comprehensive career, working at both local and international levels, excelling in communication and negotiation strategies for B2C and B2B markets, as well as in project development and implementation.
Professional Experience:
Director of Sales and Market Development | Policontrol
Leading sales management and market development, focusing on product expansion and consolidation. Developing innovative products both online and in laboratory environments, tailored to market needs. Implementing effective communication and negotiation strategies to maximize results in B2C and B2B markets. Proven ability to adapt to multicultural environments and solve problems quickly under pressure.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Advertising & Marketing | Universidade Paulista Specialization in Applied Statistics | University of Colorado Boulder (2013)
Skills:
Sales Management Market Development Communication and Negotiation Product Development Adaptation to Multicultural Environments Problem-Solving Under Pressure
 Languages:
Portuguese (Native) English (Advanced)

Operations Director, Policontrol

Shayna joined SWAN in 2020 driven by her passion for collaborating for a resilient world. She held the role of Events Director, overseeing annual conferences, partner events, and international webinars, and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer, helping programmes and strategic initiatives run smoothly. Shayna also acts as the organisation’s focal point for the global SWAN Digital Twin Work Group and SWAN Interoperable Utility Group. Before joining SWAN, she completed an MBA specialising in environmental sustainability.

COO, SWAN Forum

Owner & Director, Influx Search

Application Technology Manager

Diego Bleeckx, an engineer in chemistry & bioprocesses, is a specialist in industrial wastewater treatment. At Waterleau, he has designed advanced wastewater treatment plants across multiple continents and managed international projects. As Growth Leader for PFAS removal, Diego focuses on innovative solutions to eliminate "forever chemicals" from industrial water streams. His expertise and global perspective make him a passionate advocate for sustainable water management and environmental stewardship​.

Growth Leader – PFAS Removal, Waterleau

Pamela Moussa is a PhD researcher in the field of biofilm control and sustainable disinfection methods for drinking water systems. Affiliated with Wetsus and the University of Groningen, her work focuses on identifying natural, sustainable compounds to safely manage microbial contamination in water distribution systems. Her research aims to replace traditional chemical disinfectants, like chlorine, with non-toxic alternatives, understand their mechanism of action, and produce a cost-effective disinfection protocols to be used in contingency situations.

Involved since 2019 in the development of a multiclient industrial water supply and wastewater treatment facility owned by North Water BV in the area of Delfzijl, The Netherlands. From conceptual design of the water utility plant in the early days of the project, through the actual realization, involved in many aspects of the project. Part of the plant is taken into operation and we expect the full plant to be operational in 2025.

Process technologist, North Water

Dr. Perryman received a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California at Davis, where his research focused on synthesis and operando characterization of Earth-abundant electrocatalysts. He performed postdoctoral research at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA, as well as at the Chemical Engineering department of Stanford University where research efforts were dedicated to developing bipolar membrane electrolyzers for hydrogen production from seawater. He is the CTO of Brineworks, based in Amsterdam, NL.

Chief Technology Officer, Brineworks

Head of International Cooperation, Embassy of The United Mexican States

Sustainable Water & Green Energy

Co-founder and CPO, Open Hydro

Jochen Kallenberg brings extensive expertise in water treatment processes and chemical engineering, complemented by an advanced degree in marketing. With over 25 years of experience in the water treatment industry, he has developed deep knowledge in desalination, membrane technology, media filtration, and applications for the mining sector. His career includes roles at globally recognized membrane and mineral technology companies. He currently serves as Director of Water Treatment at Dryden Aqua in Switzerland. For the past four years, Jochen Kallenberg has been a board member and the acting Vice President of the European Desalination Society.

Director Water Treatment, Dryden Aqua

Vishal is a Research Analyst at BlueTech Research. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Singapore. During his PhD and post-doctoral work, Vishal conducted research on membrane technologies for desalination and industrial wastewater treatment. Before joining BlueTech, he worked as an Incubation Manager at a Singapore government supported startup incubator, supporting the commercialization of innovative water technologies.

Research Analyst, BlueTech Research

As the CEO of REDstack BV, Paula leads a company dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. From water treatment to CO2 capture and resource scarcity, REDstack is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions that make a tangible, lasting impact.
REDstack develops and produce the world’s most advanced and efficient ElectroMembrane stacks. REDstack's technology is revolutionizing industries by enabling the harnessing of clean water, the recovery of valuable resources, and supporting the reuse of chemicals.

CEO, REDstack

Dutch Water Board De Dommel

Daniele Strongone is the General Manager for AWC Europe, the Spain-based division of American Water Chemicals (AWC) looking after the EMEIA and APAC regions. He is also the President and one of the Co-founders of the Water Positive Think Tank. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Napoli Federico II (Italy) and a Master’s Degree in Chemical and Bioprocesses Engineering from the Engineering School of the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). With a passion for sustainability and experience in Europe, Australia, Africa and Middle East, he has worked in several areas of the water treatment industry such as chemicals, equipment, drinking water and wastewater project management, leading business strategies and growing revenue. His biggest mission is to help leaving a positive impact on the water resources.

General Manager, American Water Chemicals (AWC)

Adriana Bim is a Sales Manager for the Americas at QUA, specializing in advanced membrane technologies such as UF, MBR, and EDI, with over 13 years of expertise in water treatment and wastewater solutions. Originally from Brazil and currently residing in Florida, USA, she has extensive experience providing technical support to customers, helping them integrate innovative water treatment technologies in industrial applications across the Americas, including the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. Adriana has contributed to the development and implementation of advanced technologies at companies like Siemens, Evonik, Ingredion, Lubrizol, and American Water Chemicals. She has an MBA in Management and Environmental Technologies and a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Sales manager, QUA

Michael Baird - President & Owner, Aquamor, LLC
Michael Baird is a recognized leader in the water filtration and treatment industry, currently serving as President and Owner of Aquamor, LLC. With a career spanning decades, Michael has been at the forefront of innovation in water purification, holding over 20 patents in the space. His expertise has positioned Aquamor as a premier manufacturer of high-quality water filtration products, proudly made in the USA.
Michael's industry influence extends beyond his company. He has been deeply involved with the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Water Research Foundation, playing a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and best practices. In the 1990s, he was involved in the formation of the WQA World Assembly, which helped establish WQA groups in numerous countries, driving international collaboration and industry growth.
Prior to founding Aquamor in 2004, Michael served as Vice President of Sales (water filtration division) at Sta-Rite Industries, where he successfully worked to build a water treatment business unit through acquisition and organic expansion. His entrepreneurial background also includes ownership of EZ2.NET and a partnership at Hydro-Flow Filtration starting in 1987, reinforcing his extensive knowledge of water filtration systems and technologies.
Today, Michael continues to support the advancement of the water filtration industry at both state and national levels, advocating for improved water quality standards, regulatory initiatives, and innovative technologies. His commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability ensures that Aquamor remains a trusted leader in water filtration, serving residential, commercial, and foodservice markets globally.

President, Aquamor

Operational Capex Implementation Manager –  Wastewater Operations (Southern Water)

Digital Solutions Leader (Grundfos Water Utility)

With nearly 25 years in Sales & Business Development, Wayne focuses on Industrial Water Treatment at HPNow. Using his previous experience with Xylem and Evoqua, along with already established connections, his primary focus is on Data Centre Cooling and Light Industry applications.

Head of Industrial Sales – Europe & Middle East, HPNow

Engineer by vocation, with experience in renewable energies, space structures and now in wastewater treatment, particularly in advanced digital control solutions with artificial intelligence. I like to keep up to date with new technologies and keep learning new things.

Digital Solutions Sales Technician, CIMICO

Nicholas Nelson is the Director of Innovation and Technical Marketing at Omya International for Consumer & Environmental Solutions, responsible for the development of products and solutions for water, air and consumer applications based on natural minerals.

Director of Innovation and Technical Marketing for Consumer & Environmental Solutions, Omya International

Xiao Zhang is a PhD researcher at Wetsus and University of Twente. Her research focuses on developing stable polyelectrolyte multilayer nanofiltration membranes, which are designed to perform effectively under harsh process conditions, such as high salinity and extreme pH. These advanced membranes aim to provide solutions for the efficient treatment of various industrial streams.

Stefan Schmidt studied mechanical engineering at the University of Siegen and started working for the SMS group GmbH in 1996. Over 25 years of experience in fluid & piping engineering of rolling mills and other plants for steel industry led finally into taking care of water solutions. Today Mr. Schmidt is part of the Water Treatment team of the SMS group developing new perspectives on the steel industry water footprint.

Water Expert at SMS group / Steel Industry

Mirvahid is a PhD researcher at the University of Twente and Wetsus. His research combines numerical and experimental methods to develop innovative designs for reducing friction in pipelines and to study the underlying mechanisms of surface-water interactions. Collaborating with industry leaders like Vitens and Wavin, he focuses on creating biomimetic designs, such as riblets, and predictive models to enhance energy efficiency in water distribution and hydraulic systems.

Hamed is a industrial water expert with over 8 years of experience in process and R&D engineering in the field of water and wastewater treatment. He holds an EngD in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering and has led numerous projects focused on (waste)water treatment, resource recovery/reuse, and sustainable brine/concentrate management. Passionate about innovation and collaboration, Hamed promotes holistic approaches to address water challenges, considering entire life cycles and natural system.

Industrial Water Expert, Royal HaskoningDHV

Presenter Biographic
Dave Wilson has a BSc in Applied Geology from the University of Birmingham, UK and started his career working with groundwater sampling and monitoring instrumentation. He has spent the last 18 years installing and maintaining sensors in Drinking Water and WasteWater applications and has delivered teaching material on the real world use of monitoring technology in treatment plants around the world. Having helped to integrate and build In-Situs Process monitoring business he is now the Vice President of Global Sales for In-Situ.

Vice President of Global Sales, In Situ

Experienced international drinking water expert, currently co-owner of software company Spatial Insight.

International business developer, Spatial Insight

Panos has over a decade of experience in industrial wastewater treatment and sustainability, specializing in tailored solutions for complex water challenges. He has led sales and strategy for high-value projects across Europe. As Head of Industry – Europe at Isle, he helps businesses adopt cutting-edge water technologies and advance their corporate water sustainability goals.

Head of Industry - Europe, Isle Utilities

Tiemen has been working on projects for over 12 years where raw materials from various organic residuals (wastewater, swill etc.) are recovered for reuse. From his studies at Wageningen UR and Radboud University, he has developed a broad view and multidisciplinary approach. He uses this for the development of circular and sustainable residential areas and consultancy work on dealing with wastewater in rural areas. Tiemen is also involved in the design, start-up and monitoring of various innovation and pilot projects, all aimed at local recovery of raw materials and purification of wastewater.

Director & Senior Consultant, LeAF

Dr Pablo Pereira-Doel is the director of the Undergraduate Hospitality Programmes at Surrey Business School, the lead of the Institute for Sustainability's Water literacy and sustainable water behaviour programme, and the co-director of the Human Insight Lab. 
After several years in the hospitality/tourism industry in Spain, France, The Gambia, and the UK, he is now an applied social scientist who uses sustainability-oriented innovations, consumer nudging, persuasive communication, design thinking, and experimental research methods to create pro-environmental behaviour change. His consumer and industry testing research contributed to developing a smart water-saving technology to nudge users to take shorter showers.
Pablo's problem-solving transdisciplinary research has involved partnerships with several companies in the hospitality industry (e.g. Scandic, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, TUI, Hostelling International, and others) and beyond (e.g. Aguardio ApS, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, L'Oréal, and the UN Environment Program).
His research has been funded through internal scholarships, an ESRC SeNSS Industry Engagement Fund, three ESRC Impact Acceleration Funds, a UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund, and an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Pablo is the first researcher in the UK to be awarded an ESRC postdoctoral fellowship in hospitality/tourism.

Water literacy and sustainable water behaviour programme lead, Surrey Business School & Institute for Sustainability, University of Surrey

Ali graduated with Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University, Ames, IA. Right from school, he joined DuPont De Nemours, Permasep® Products  (RO membrane division).  In 2005, Ali joined GE Corporate as Desalination Sales Leader then in 2006 joined GE Water & Process Technologies. In September 2007, he was appointed as Commercial Development Leader, for Middle East and North Africa providing industrial water purification solutions as  well as water re-use and desalination solutions.  He joined Nanostone in April 2023 and ZwitterCo in June 2024 as Sales executive for MEA.  Ali has many years of water and wastewater including infrastructure investment experience  dealing with large water projects in Algeria, Cameroon, Iraq, Kuwait, and across the MEA  region.

Sales Executive, MEA, ZwitterCo

I am a consultant helping manufacturers and other organizations with product certification strategies focusing in the areas of POU / POE, Drinking Water Treatment, and Municipal Distribution. 
I am a voting member of the NSF Joint Committee on Drinking Water Treatment Units.
Leveraging the unique knowledge developed over 24+ years with NSF, while authoring over 200 trade publication articles, and presenting dozens of seminars around the globe, I can assist with deep technical understanding and a proven ability to craft bespoke solutions for specific situations and aspirations.

Consultant, Rick Andrew Consulting Services

Sonia Vila Cremer a Water Industry Expert with 15+ Years of Experience, joined DuPont Water Solutions in 2012 as Application Development Engineer. After progressed through various roles in Application Development, R&D, and Technical Service & Development (TS&D), supporting FilmTec™ RO/NF products and DuPont™ IntegraTec™ Ultrafiltration across diverse market segments, Sonia is currently leading a team of experts in innovative water technologies, including MBR, UF, RO, and IX, providing strategic product selection and design support, plant start-up assistance, operational follow-up, and troubleshooting. Apart of this Sonia spearhead the laboratory responsible for service provision and product complaint evaluations in the EMEA region.
Sonia is also Passionate about bridging sustainability with cost-effective water solutions through collaboration and expertise.

EMEA Technical Service and Development Leader, Dupont

DITEC Manager (Digitalization, Technology, and Circularity)

Head of Business Development , Oxyle

Program Manager Digital Twin Distribution Network (Brabant Water)

CEO (Fluid Analytics)

Recognized water innovator, advocate, and entrepreneur, who led the development and commercialization of one of the world’s first Smart Sewer technologies, a game-changing, AI-fueled, wastewater optimization solution that is currently being applied in more than 40 cities around the world.
Now leveraging over 25 years of personal experience in Smart Sewer applications, to consult to forward-thinking utilities and commercial users of water. My goal is to help clients do more with less – improving performance while identifying cost-savings – through the use of Real Time Decision Support Systems, which combines IoT sensing, Digital Twin modeling, and advanced optimization engines.

Principal, HydroDigital

Director, Allied Waters / EnergyLabNL

I am a molecular biologist-microbiologist with an interest in applying microorganisms to environmental and industrial processes. During my PhD research, I have focused on aerobic granular sludge, a biofilm used in biological wastewater treatment. I studied the microbial activity and composition of the biofilm and the conversions of organic macromolecules during the wastewater treatment process. I am interested in combining advanced techniques to study mixed microbial communities and their in situ behavior. With a little help from microorganisms, I hope to contribute to transitioning to a sustainable society.

Process Engineer, CIMICO

Director International Sales Chromafora, Chromaforma

Kaustub Singh is a research engineer in the R&D of Royal FrieslandCampina, specializing in membrane driven separation and purification technologies. He earned his PhD from Wageningen University, working on electro-driven water purification and resource recovery. In addition, Kaustub has contributed to the field redox active flow batteries. His work in water desalination and energy storage has appeared in several publications and multiple filed patents. At FrieslandCampina, he continues to advance (electrochemical) membrane separation technologies to support sustainable industrial processes such as side stream handling and valorization.

Research Specialist, R&D, Royal Friesland Campina

Dr. Alexander Finnegan is a postdoctoral researcher at Wetsus (the Netherlands), focusing on reducing microplastic pollution and advancing circular economy practices. His experience has been on projects related to plastic recycling, and quantifying environmental microplastics found in water and air. He obtained his PhD from the National University of Singapore in 2022 with a thesis titled “Freshwater and Atmospheric Plastic Pollution in Southeast Asia”.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Burcu is leading the Global Water Technology Group and over the years, she has led several projects ranging from feasibility studies to commissioning and troubleshooting of treatment plants for various industries. Based on her knowledge and experience Burcu was named a Fluor Fellow in the field of water and wastewater treatment. Since 2020, she serves as vice chairwoman of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AiCHE)  for the Netherlands/Belgium section.

Process Engineering Manager – Fluor Fellow, Fluor Corporation

In his role as Application Technology Manager with LANXESS, Dirk develops new applications for ion exchange resins in th field of battery metals, waste- and drinking water.
Prior to joinging LANXESS in 2016 Dirk pursued a Post-Doc at Harvard University, with a main focus on ion exchange resin for pharmaceutical applications. Dirk obtained his PhD in 2013 in polymer chemistry.
 
He is the author of 25 reviewed articled and 10 patents. His work was awarded by the Konrad Adenauer and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Application Technology Manager, Lanxess

Policy Advisor Climate Adaptation & Water International , Ministry Infrastructure Water Management

Sales, Krohne

Research Manager, Bluetech

Sandro Hansen is a seasoned sanitary and environmental engineer with over two decades of experience in water and wastewater treatment systems across large industrial and sanitation sectors. He holds postgraduate degrees in business management and water desalination and reuse, complemented by certifications in machine learning and artificial intelligence. His career encompasses consultancy roles in Latin America, Europe, and Africa. Currently, as an application specialist at Turing, a company specializing in digital solutions for water systems, Sandro leverages his expertise to enhance operational safety and efficiency. Turing's platforms, such as TOP Clear, provide digital solutions throughout the water lifecycle, aiming to reduce total water costs and improve reliability.

Application Specialist, Turing

Smartvatten

Sr. Water Treatment & Integration Engineer, Shell

Manager Sales, Econvert, part of Nijhuis Saur Industries

With 18 years of experience working in the water sector, Ruben Wentink has developed a strong reputation as a strategic advisor in the Dutch water industry. As a strategic advisor for five years, he has focused on advising drinking water companies on critical topics such as the impacts of climate change on drinking water, strategies for reducing water consumption and navigating the complexities of water governance.
In the last two years, Ruben has shifted his focus to stormwater management, at FieldFactors,  leveraging his expertise to address climate impacts in urban environments. His work spans cities, sports facilities, and industries, where  innovative strategies are developed to mitigate the challenges posed by increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
This holistic approach to sustainable water management helps to create resilient water systems for the future.

Snr. Business Developer, FieldFactors

Christos Charisiadis is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Brine Consulting, a firm dedicated to delivering innovative, sustainable solutions in water management, with a focus on Water Reuse. Brine Management, and Resource Recovery. With over 8 years of professional experience spanning technical research, strategic business development, and project implementation, Christos brings a unique combination of technical expertise and strategic vision to address water challenges globally.
Through Brine Consulting, Christos works to bridge the gap between technical solutions and market-driven outcomes, helping organizations implement cost-efficient and scalable water management systems. His approach combines a deep understanding of water treatment technologies with a focus on sustainable impact, delivering actionable results for industries seeking to navigate complex water challenges.
Christos is passionate about advancing solutions that integrate circular economy principles, ensuring water projects are not only compliant but also drivers of innovation, resource recovery, and environmental responsibility.

Founder & Principal Consultant, Brine Consulting

Mike is an Account Manager with H2O Innovation. Mike’s career in the desalination industry began when he joined Genesys-PWT on a placement during his Chemistry degree from the University of St Andrews. Since then, Mike has assisted in many research projects, including use of formulated chemicals in novel applications and laboratory development of new products. Mike now helps deliver innovative solutions to meet industrial and commercial client needs.

Account Manager, H2O Innovation

Michael P. Mormino, VP Sales & Marketing of the ENPRESS GROUP™, leads this group of companies in their product and business development efforts. Mike has served in many volunteer roles with the Water Quality Association and has been actively involved since joining the industry in 2001, currently serving on its Board of Governors.  The ENPRESS Group™ is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of advanced liquid filtration solutions. As a premier conglomerate in the filtration industry with five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, ENPRESS Group™ unites several top-tier companies including ENPRESS, essef, Applied Cartridge Systems, and United Filters International.  The Group is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, patented products that set the standard for performance, filtration efficiency, and water conservation. All ENPRESS Group™ products are proudly Made in the USA, ensuring superior quality and reliability for diverse global markets. Mike has an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in Entrepreneurship and is active in his community and an avid runner, fisherman, and golfer.  He lives in Hudson, OH with his wife Amanda and their four children.

Vice President Sales & Marketing, ENPRESS GROUP of Companies: ENPRESS LLC, United Filters International, essef, Applied Cartridge Systems

Mae provides strategic environmental and infrastructure policy expertise to a diverse range of corporate, municipal, and nonprofit clients. Prior to becoming a contract lobbyist, Stevens worked on Capitol Hill in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Throughout this seven-year tenure, she focused most of her time on the intersection of water, equity, and affordability, and generally how to make cities and towns even better for the people who live and work there. 
Most recently, she served as Environmental Policy Advisor to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), handling the Senator’s responsibilities as a senior member of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, including staffing the Senator during the crafting and passage of the FAST Act and the 2016 and 2018 Water Resources Development Act bills – the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act and America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) respectively. The WIIN Act served as the congressional response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, and created new grant programs for water infrastructure. Following WIIN in 2016, the passage of AWIA in 2018 marked the most significant revision to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in over two decades.

Chair of Water Practice, Banner Public Affairs

Prof. Eric D. van Hullebusch received his PhD (Aquatic Chemistry and Microbiology) from Université de Limoges (France) in 2002. From November 2002 until October 2004, he was a Marie Curie Postdoctoral fellow at Wageningen University & Research (the Netherlands) where his research focused on the optimization of anaerobic granular sludge reactors by studying the speciation, bioavailability and dosing strategies of trace metals. In 2005, he was appointed as associate professor in biogeochemistry of engineered ecosystems at Université Paris-Est (France). From September 2016 until August 2018, he worked at IHE Delft as chair professor in Environmental Science and Technology and head of the Pollution Prevention and Resource Recovery chair group. In September 2018, he joined Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (France) as full professor in Biogeochemistry of engineered ecosystems. Prof. van Hullebusch has published more than 295 peer-reviewed papers (17000+ citations, h-index 68) in the field of biogeochemistry of metals and metalloids in engineered ecosystems. His research is currently mostly focusing on the implementation of novel biohydrometallurgical approaches for the recovery of technology critical elements as well as polluted soils (bio)remediation with a particular focus on Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Full Professor, Institut de physique du globe de Paris / Université Paris Cité

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