During October 2021, IWRA Silver and Gold members voted for the 2022 -2024 Executive board from the list of candidates below.
Should you have any related questions about the IWRA election process, please contact IWRA at elections@iwra.org.
Get to know the candidates below:
Candidate for President
Country of Origin: China
Country of Residence: China
BIO
Prof. Yuanyuan Li has rich experience in water resources management, human activities-water resources interaction, water resources system analysis, planning and management, water ecology and environment protection, etc. He has led many nationwide water resources surveys, strategy studies, integrated water resources planning, major water projects study, planning and design, policies formulation on water resources regulation and management in China as well as international programs and cooperation. He has widely published books and papers about water related topics. His research results have been awarded numerous state science and technology awards. Prof. Yuanyuan Li has been closely engaging in IWRA’s activities for nearly 30 years and has witnessed the important and leading role that IWRA has played in international water resources agenda. He joined IWRA Board since 2013 and has made outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Association. He is now serving as a Vice President for the 2019-2021 period.
Motivation Statement
Water is of fundamentally importance for life and human activity. Drinking water, food production, healthy ecosystems, energy supply, industrial growth, social and economic development are heavily dependent on water resources. As an international well-recognized organization with multidisciplinary professionals on water resources, IWRA has an increasingly vital role in leading the work of disseminating water science and knowledge, promoting water resources planning and management, bridging the interface of science and policy for the sustainable use and management of the world’s water resources.
As time marches on, I truly believe that IWRA will have determined exploration with a pioneering spirit to blaze a great path to develop more professional and technical water-related knowledge and activities. I hope IWRA will become the leading global platform and community of researchers, scientists, educators, policy-influencers, decision makers and managers. IWRA will consistently attach great attention to attract more people who span a range of professions and academic disciplines to join IWRA community, to keep and encourage IWRA members work in a collaborative way for water resources protection, management, utilization and development, and to strive for positive outcomes through great endeavor.
I find IWRA jobs to be fulfilling and I really enjoy working with IWRA family. I take this election opportunity to show my deep interest in contributing my experience, network and efforts to boost IWRA growth. I have good faith in IWRA’s future development and I strongly believe IWRA will strive for faster and greater progress in dominating the international water agenda. I sincerely hope we can inject fresh impetus and hold an unremitting effort to shape a brighter shared future for IWRA.
Candidates for Vice-President
Country of Origin: Australia/Denmark
Country of Residence: Australia
BIO
Henning Bjornlund is a Research Professor in Water Policy and Management at University of South Australia. From 2005 to 2015 he simultaneously held a Canada Research Chair in Water Policy and Management and shared his time between South Australia and Alberta. Since 2013 he has worked on a Research for Development project funded by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Research: Transforming Small-scale Irrigation in Southern Africa. Prior to joining academic, he worked as a manager/director in many fields such as education, development aid, and tropical farming. Since 2013 he has served on the board of directors of the International Water Resources Association and is currently the chair of the Science, Technology and Publication Committee.
Motivation Statement
During my time as Chair of the Science, Technology and Publication Committee I have enjoyed to work closely and actively with the members of the Executive Office on all issues related to the associations research and publication activities and collaborations with other organization. For example, I served on the International Scientific Committee for the XVI World Water Congress, on the Bureau of the ISC for the XVII WWC, on the ISC of the 2021 online congress, and as a member of the steering committee of the Smart Water Cities project. I believe I have made a significant contribution to IWRA’s work in these areas. As a Vice President I will look forward to continue to work actively with members of the Executive Office on all projects and activities, especially those related to research and publication.
Country of Origin: Chile
Country of Residence: Chile
BIO
Guillermo Donoso is Full Professor at the Water Law and Economics Center of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC). Has been Dean of the Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal of PUC (1998-2007). His publications include books such as: Water Policy in Chile, Mercados (de derechos) de agua: Experiencias y Propuestas en América del Sur; book chapters: “Water Pricing Experiences in Chile”, “Water Markets in Chile: Are They Meeting Needs?”, “Regulating Groundwater Use Through Economic Instruments: Current Practices, Challenges and Innovative Approaches”, “The Evolution of Water Markets in Chile”; and publications in Water International, International Journal of Water Resources and Development, Water Resources Management, Water Policy, Water Science and Technology, Cuadernos de Economía, Ciencia e Investigación Agraria, and Revista de Derecho Administrativo Económico. Professor Donoso’s current research interest focus on collective water management with a focus on groundwater management, the use of economic policy instruments in water policy, and water use efficiency in the urban and agricultural sector.
Motivation Statement
I am motivated to once again become a member for the next IWRA Executive Board. I previously had the honor to serve on the Board from 2016-2018. I am very much aligned with the goals and focus of IWRA and recognize the need for membership involvement in our organization. I hope to once again bring my skills and Latin American perspective to the board to help promote and create more meaningful, engaging and active membership opportunities in geographic regions beyond North America and Europe that will strengthen IWRA’s position as a highly-regarded international network of experts in water resources. Additionally, I will take an active part in strategic and budget planning process.
Country of Origin: USA
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
Dr. Assefa M. Melesse is a Professor of water resources engineering at Florida International University. He earned his M.E (2000) and Ph. D (2002) from the University of Florida in Agricultural Engineering. A Fulbright Scholar in 2012, his international work includes river basin hydrology, especially in the Nile basin, India and the Caribbean focusing on topics ranging from climate change to transboundary water management. Dr. Melesse is highly cited researcher (H-index of 55) (https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=CD4qUOkAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate). He has over 30 years of teaching and research experience and authored/edited 7 books and over 170 journal articles and over 80 book chapters. In 2020, he was in the world’s top 2% scientists list based on Stanford University data. Since 2004, he has advised 60 PhD and Masters students. Dr. Melesse has been a panelist for proposal and program reviews for many international programs in the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Pakistan, UAE, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Switzerland, Ethiopia and others.
Motivation Statement
I have been passionate about understanding the complex water resources problems communities are facing and the need for an integrated approach to ensure water accessibility for all. The role of water resources association like IWRA in providing opportunities to bring professionals together to discuss, propose and recommend solutions is substantial. Every year the world is facing high uncertainty in ensuring water accessibility emanating from the growing water demand and climate change impacts. If I am elected, I will use my over 30 years of international experience to help promote the visions and programs of IWRA. I will use my collaborative network in Africa, North America, Asia and Europe to work together and expand the visibility of IWRA and its impact in helping the efforts of knowledge dissemination. I will also work to attract more membership and encourage the young water resources professionals and students to take active role in IWRA.
Country of Origin: Lebanon
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
Dr. Rabi Mohtar is a professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and the Zachary Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University. He is the former Dean (2018-21) of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the American University of Beirut. Mohtar’s expertise lies in the interrelationships of the water, energy, food, health Nexus, in developing quantitative tools to assess sustainable resource allocation and tradeoffs to ensure long term resilience and sustainable management of resources by empowering dialogue between stakeholders, policy makers and science. He also works on soil and water processes, modeling and characterization, and long-term impact alternative water on soil and water processes. https://wefnexus.tamu.edu/
Motivation Statement
Mohtar is committed to addressing global resource challenges through research and service that develops Water-Energy-Food Nexus modeling frameworks linking science and policy, thermodynamic characterization of the soil-water medium, efficacy of non-traditional water, and applications for sustainable integrated water management for implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. He serves the World Water Council, IWRA’s Executive Board, OCP Policy Center as a Sr. Non-resident Fellow, UN-FAO. Mohtar, as Dean of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut (AUB) and Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, founded A&M’s Water-Energy-Food Nexus Initiative and AUB’s Water-Energy-Food-Heath Nexus Renewable Resources Initiative. At Purdue University Mohtar was inaugural director of Global Engineering Programs and introduced the concept of Global Design Teams: real-world, full-cycle design experiences that help raise global awareness. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and an AUB Distinguished Alumnus.
Country of Origin: Palestine
Country of Residence: France
BIO
Raya Marina Stephan has a background in international law. She is an international consultant with expertise in water law. She has a wide experience in the design and execution of international projects related to legal and institutional aspects of water management and transboundary waters in various regions of the world, the Arab countries, the Mediterranean, South-East Europe and others. She collaborates and advises regional organizations such as UNESCO, UNECE, UNESCWA, GWP-Med and the League of Arab States. She has participated to the experts group advising the Special Rapporteur of the UN International Law Commission for the preparation of the draft articles on the law of transboundary aquifers. She is an invited expert to lecture in Universities. She is currently the Deputy Editor in Chief of Water International. Raya served on IWRA’s Publications Committee since 2010, she chaired it from 2013 to 2015, and she is a Board member of the Association since 2013. Raya is also the author of numerous publications.
Motivation Statement
It is my pleasure to be again a candidate in the elections of the next IWRA Executive board. I have already participated to two Executive boards, and would like to continue this interaction and contribute to the evolution and the activities of the Association. My involvement in the Association is mainly related to Publications and Scientific activities in my current participation to the Scientific, Technical & Publications Committee, and in my quality of Deputy Editor in Chief of Water International. I would be happy to carry on this input. With my international professional experience, and my knowledge of various regions of the world, I believe I can also offer to IWRA interesting and useful inputs for its future developments. I have also the luck to be resident in France not far from the location of the Executive Office, which can allow personal interactions and follow-ups on various issues.
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Country of Residence: Netherlands
BIO
Lesha is founding and Steering Committee member of Women for Water Partnership (WfWP), advocacy lead. She serves as steering committee member of the European Pact for Water, the Butterfly Effect NGO coalition, AGWA and #ClimateIsWater campaign. She is a (alternate) permanent representative to the UN (HLPF, UNESCO, UNEP/ UNEA, UNCTAD, UNECE, UN Water, etc.) on behalf of Business and Professional Women international and WfWP and also representative to the EU Parliament. She chairs the VAM foundation; is a former vice-chair of the Hydropower Sustainability Governance committee and the social chamber. She is a former chair of the sustainable development committee of the Netherlands women’s council, the standing committee of IFBPW on sustainable development and a former advisor of the Netherlands to the commission on sustainable development. She is a strategic group / member of the World Water Quality alliance (hosted by UNEP) and core member of the stakeholder Engagement Platform working group and a member of the UNESCO WWAP water and gender working group. Since 1991 she works as independent senior advisor and facilitator (interalia for WWF). Her expertise: empowerment, equity, equality and participation (strategies), human resources, project-and process management; Sustainable Development policies; vocational training and mentoring, water stewardship, water diplomacy, water governance and management, advocacy, and capacity development. She holds degrees in Human Resource and General Management (Sittard & Nijenrode), studied western sociology (Erasmus) and (international and labor) law (University of Amsterdam). She was recently one of the moderators for the IWRA conference “One Water, One Health: Water, Food and Public Health in a Changing World”. And contributed to several other webinars of IWRA in the last two years.
Motivation Statement
Do I need another voluntary job? Not really – as you can see from my CV. Why do I want to do this notwithstanding? I strongly believe we need to be multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder to get our messages across when it comes to water and sanitation and accelerate the SDG6+ agenda. So that’s why I support IWRA because I believe that’s at least one positive way to go to bring this about. I believe I can contribute to the process bringing the social dimensions and make the connection between research / academics and the need on the ground. I can function as a “translator” and “broker”. I have build-up a huge network over the years from wonderful people from different walks of life and with different backgrounds. I do have numerous friends and allies within IWRA and like to support what they are trying to convey and do.
Candidate for Treasurer
Country of Origin: USA
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
Renée Martin-Nagle, PhD is President and CEO of A Ripple Effect, Special Counsel at Eckert Seamans, and a Visiting Scholar at the Environmental Law Institute. She received a PhD in 2019 from the University of Strathclyde; her doctoral thesis, “Governance of Offshore Freshwater Resources”, was published by Brill Nijhoff in January 2020. For more than twenty years prior to joining the water community, she was the chief legal counsel for Airbus Americas, retiring in 2011 as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Head of Environmental Affairs, Corporate Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors. Renee earned an LL.M from George Washington University Law School (with highest honors), a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis University and an Associate of Arts from Mount Aloysius College. Her research interests include groundwater, unconventional water resources, contaminants of emerging concern and water resiliency.
Motivation Statement
For the past six years, through two full terms, I have had the honor and privilege of serving as IWRA’s Treasurer, working closely with IWRA staff, our bank, our accounting firm and our tax preparer to ensure that IWRA’s financial accounts and statements accurately reflect its operations and financial condition. Since IWRA is a US corporation that files its tax return in the US, the bylaws require that the Treasurer have “adequate legal standing” in the US. As a US citizen living in the US with a background in accounting and experience as the treasurer of multiple non-profit organizations, I would very much like to continue serving as IWRA’s Treasurer through another term. Working with IWRA to bridge science and policy in the water community has been a highlight of my career, and I ask the IWRA membership to elect me once again as its Treasurer
Candidates for Secretary General
Country of Origin: China
Country of Residence: China
BIO
Jia Shaofeng was trained as a hydraulic engineer in Tsinghua University, started his professional career as a researcher of fluvial geomorphology in the Institute of Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences and in early 1990s proved the sediment yield of Yellow River could be deducted 90% if only the man-made ecological damage on the Loess Plateau stop. Then he
dedicated himself to search for the socio-economic law of water cycle and water resources management. In early 2000s he put forward the Kuznets Curve law of water use and correctly predicted the peak water use of China. Recently, he is interested in water resources management under changing environment including using remote sensing and AI technology
to obtain hydrological and water resources information. He published more than 200 papers. He is a member of the national expert committee of the South to North Water Diversion Project. He has been active to take part in academic exchange, social consultation and popularization of scientific knowledge. He worked as IWRA board member 2007-2009. Now he is Fellow member of IWRA, Vice Chairman of Chinese Committee, IWRA.
Motivation Statement
The basic responsibility of the secretary general is to preside over the daily operation of the association under the leadership of the Board. I hope to make use of the
convenience of working in the same city as the chairman candidate, actively cooperate with the chairman in formulating the work plan of the association and drafting relevant documents, and solidly implement the purpose of the association and the resolutions of the Board. I especially hope to use the position of secretary general to explore various forms and levels of activities to promote and strengthen
academic exchanges and cooperation in water resources management among countries and regions. One specific desire is to organize open-minded and in-depth
discussions on important theoretical issues and hot topics of water resources management (such as the applicability of virtual water strategy, the criteria for judging whether long-distance water transfer is feasible, etc.)
Country of Origin: France
Country of Residence: France
BIO
Eric Tardieu is the Permanent Technical Secretary of the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO), and director general of the International Office for Water (OiEau) since 2017. He’s an Environmental Engineering, graduated from Ecole Polytechnique, prestigious post-graduate multidisciplinary engineering French school, with a PhD in membrane filtration applied to urban wastewater treatment. He served for French Ministries of Agriculture and Environment as a water policy officer, applying and managing national and European regulations. He then held successive responsible positions in the public sector for national (Ministry of Industry), regional (Normandy region) and local authorities (Toulouse), implementing policy regulations, designing multistakeholders strategies and plans of measures. He has been engaged not only in the field of water resources management and environmental protection, but also public policies for innovation, research and attractivity, public private partnerships or European and international cooperations.
Motivation Statement
INBO “partnership” with IWRA shall contribute to raise the profile of water resources management in the global events, initiatives or debates. I wish in particular to promote the following priorities: 1/ acceleration of the dissemination of scientific knowledge and its operational implementation (“science to policy” activities); 2/education and vocational training as key supports to long-lasting effects for many infrastructures or initiatives, that can not completely achieve their objectives due to insufficient efforts devoted to the establishment and training of human skills, both in emerging or developing countries and in developed countries (in the field of ecological engineering or digitalization for example); 3/strengthening dialogue tools and shared governance between different territorial levels of responsibility, obviously between national institutions and transboundary basins organizations, but also for example between basin governance and city levels.
Candidates for Chair of the Awards Committee
Country of Origin: China
Country of Residence: China
BIO
Prof. Mingna Wang is the Associate Professor at School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University, and the director of Smart Water Research Center at Tianjin University, China. She holds a Ph.D. degree in Water resource and hydrology from China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR). Dr. Wang is an active member of IWRA and serves as one of twelve IWRA directors since 2018. Her professional experience in teaching, research, and consultancy spans over 20 years and across many places in China. Her research interests include water resources modelling and management, water related extreme events, reservoir operations and controls, water policy impact, and hydroinformatics. She has participated in several international research projects supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF), European Union (FP6, FP7, H2020), and China’s own Belt and Road Initiative projects, which span across Far East, Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe. Dr. Wang has published 36 peer-reviewed papers, 4 books, 2 standards, and 5 patents. She is the Director of China Standardization Association. Dr. Wang is the recipient of 2 national Dayu water awards and the active member of EGU, AOGS and IAHR.
Motivation Statement
It is always an honor for me to serve my IWRA community of students, faculty, colleagues, and professionals. As one of the IWRA directors, I have participated actively on many IWRA activities like project review, conference planning, professional training etc., and linked up with many members in the past three years. I have attended national and international conferences where I promoted the science of water resources. My vision for IWRA is to shape a more equitable, diverse and inclusive platform for our female members. I brought up this theme three years ago, and will continue to promote it to the Ministry of Education of China in the next election appointment. Regarding the prospective research directions, I will dedicate to promote better understanding of urbanization and anthropogenic impacts on water resources, and how such changes in turn impact human welfare and wellbeing, which is one of the greatest challenges water resources management is facing. Through IWRA, I aim to continue to facilitate leadership in research and attract new talents from other relevant areas. I propose that I will spend at least 30% of my time participating and organizing activities for such purposes on behalf of IWRA.
Country of Origin: China
Country of Residence: China
BIO
Lili Yu is a Professor Level Senior Engineer in the General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design at the Ministry of Water Resources of China. She has a PhD in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Florida (US). Her fields of expertise include groundwater planning, assessment, policies studies, etc. As a technical leader, she has completed a number of national and regional level projects in China, including National Groundwater Utilization and Protection planning, National Groundwater Resources Assessment, the Act of Groundwater Overexploitation Control in the North China, etc. Furthermore, she has also gained a lot of international cooperation skills through cooperative projects with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, World Wild Fund for Nature, World Resources Institute, etc. She is an active participant in international water resources community, serving as a committee member of IWRA，and deputy secretary-general of China chapter of IWRA.
Motivation Statement
It is my honor to run for the Awards Chair of IWRA 2022-2024 Board. In recent years, as deputy secretary general of China chapter, bureau member of groundwater task force, and member of membership committee of IWRA, I have been involved in many IWRA activities. I have seen how IWRA keeps trying comprehensive, active and innovative ways to promote the research, education, academic exchange in the field of water resources at global level. The awards of IWRA, including the Crystal Drop Award, Water Drop Award, etc. have been recognized as very important awards in the field of water resources. I would like to further promote IWRA’s awards, for example, by setting more awards for individuals, institutions and organizations, as well as projects, to create more opportunities for affirming the achievements in the field of water resources, and also further strengthen IWRA’s influence in the international academic field of water resources
Candidates for Chair of the Membership Committee
Country of Origin: Lebanon
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
Bassel Daher, Ph.D. is an Assistant Research Scientist at the Texas A&M Energy Institute, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, and Research Fellow at the Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Texas A&M University. Bassel recently served on the international scientific committee of the 2021 IWRA Online Conference titled “One Water, One Health”, and is the current chair of the IWRA Early Career and Young Professionals Task Force. Bassel is interested in bridging science and policy on topics related to water-energy-food nexus, circular economy, and sustainable development. He is dedicated to making contributions toward a future that is more sustainable, equitable, and water, energy, and food secure for all. Daher holds a PhD in Water Management and Hydrologic Sciences from Texas A&M University (2019), an MSE in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University (2012), and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the American University of Beirut (2010).
Motivation Statement
My engagement with IWRA dates to summer of 2016 when I interned at the association’s executive office in Paris. Since then, I have participated in organizing and supporting several IWRA activities related to the World Water Congress, IWRA Online Conference, publishing in Water International, chairing the Early Career and Young Professionals (ECYP) task force, and organizing several engagement events including the Water Networking Global Water Café and multiple interdisciplinary webinars. Through running for the membership chair role, I am looking to expand on my current experience with the ECYP in engaging water and non-water professional with the association. I am also interested in exploring ways to expand IWRA’s reach to included currently underrepresented groups and to promote the association’s role in serving as a hub that connects water professionals across different global networks and organizations.
Country of Origin: South Korea
Country of Residence: South Korea
BIO
Jun-Haeng Heo, with a Ph.D. from Colorado State University (1990), is currently a Professor of School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Yonsei University (Seoul) and a senior member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea. He had served as Deans of Engineering Graduate School, Institute of Disaster Resilience & Safety, and Engineering Research Park at Yonsei University. He also served as ISC and ISC Bureau member of the 7th World Water Forum in 2015 and has served as Board Member of IWRA since 2016. He cohosted the 17th World Water Congress when he was the President of Korea Water Resources Association (KWRA) and now Chairperson of National Organization Committee of IWRA 17th World Water Congress, Daegu in Korea. He is now the Chairpersons of International Centre for Water Security and Sustainable Management (i-WSSM) under the auspices of UNESCO since 2017 and Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey. He is the author of more than 180 peer reviewed papers and more than 580 conference papers focused on the statistical hydrology, water resources system, and climate change.
Motivation Statement
IWRA recently set up the new membership system. However, I think that there are still small number of members although IWRA has long history and good reputation in water related fields in the world. I will try to increase the number of IWRA membership including new Geographic Chapters and try to find how to activate Geographic Chapters.
Candidate for Chair of the Scientific, Technical & Publications Committee
Country of Origin: France/USA
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
As Professor of Fluid Mechanics at the University Louis Pasteur of Strasbourg, France, Expert-Consultant at the European Commission in Brussels and President of the European Institute for Water, he directed multidisciplinary and multicultural professional groups of scientists, policymakers and planners, administrators and their technical staff, to prepare the scientific background of water/groundwater legislation in the EU. He directed water governance capacity-building programs of the EU in the Middle East, South America, the United States, the European Union and most of its member states, Canada, Russia and Siberia, Uzbekistan, South Africa. As Senior Consultant, he was involved in the UNESCO program on Transboundary Hydro-Governance Education. At the University of California, Irvine, he has been teaching “Groundwater Policy and Governance” and has been organizing a series of international periodic workshops on California groundwater policy, governance, management and resilience. He has published more than 150 articles in international journals and conferences and is the author/co-author/co-editor of several books and chapters in books or conference proceedings.
Motivation Statement
Fully involved in multidisciplinary projects with a background between theory and practice during my whole professional life as an educator and a researcher, having traveled from mathematical modeling and pure science to policy and governance, with a great experience of international settings, coping with different cultural approaches, I think I can really be useful to our Association as the Chair of the Scientific, Technical and Publications Committee.
Candidates for Director
Country of Origin: Morocco
Country of Residence: Morocco
BIO
Anasse Ait Lemkademe is currently a senior water resources consultant. He holds a PhD in “Earth Science” and a master’s degree in “Hydrology hydrogeology soil” both from Paris-Saclay university. Anasse Has 12 years’ experience in engineering and management in addition to an extensive fieldwork experience. He has worked on numerous water resources projects in Africa and managed water resources teams to deliver several projects. Anasse focus was always the promotion of water management best practices, advancement of corporate water stewardship, water security, and developing better governance.
Motivation Statement
I am truly honored to be a candidate to the board of Directors of the IWRA. In seeking the position to help IWRA to attend its objectives in generating and promoting water policies and best practices, connecting stakeholders, private industries, governments, and international institutions. I had the opportunity to work in various countries in Africa, and in areas where water was a cause of conflicts. I lead several water resources development projects and develop strong expertise in building partnerships and coordinating communication between stakeholders from different environments and backgrounds knowledge. My experience has provided me with a clear understanding of the water sector gaps, dynamics and functioning. I am looking forward to working with IWRA and its members to continue knowledge generation, exchange and influence on water policy and practices.
Country of Origin: India
Country of Residence: India
BIO
Karishma Asoodani is a multi-platform journalist, and an advocate for youth-centric development, based out of New
Delhi, India. She is a youth delegate with World Water Council since 2018 & is also keenly involved in the preparation of World Water Forum 9, to be held in 2022 in Senegal. Karishma has been actively involved in mobilising youth across Asia through satellite events and conducting
discussions on Water financing. Karishma is currently a full time financial journalist and has a diploma in digital financial
journalism from City University of New York. She plans to major her further education in Water & Communications. Karishma was also a young rapporteur at Korea Water Forum,
Cairo Water Week and India Water week 2019. She is currently an active participant at IWRA Social media task force, and Communication volunteer at Water youth network. In November 2019, she also moderated a panel discussion at Ivy League Model United Nations. The topic of the Panel discussion was on the importance of corporate interest in SDGs. In 2020 & early 2021, she conducted National &
Regional youth webinars across South Asia, in collaboration with UNESCO. More than 500 young water professionals participated in these webinars and contributed in preparing a declaration that will be submitted to the policymakers during
9th World Water Forum.
Motivation Statement
I am glad to send my candidature to the Board of Directors of the IWRA. My experience for the past 4 years in the water sector has provided me with a clear understanding of the sector’s scope and prospects. As a prospective IWRA board member, I would bring in my vivacious youth energy and a vast network of young water professionals from different parts of the world, especially Asia. My focus will be to streamline a platform for increased participation of youth thus promoting IWRA’s international prominence. Furthermore, I will use my skill set to widen IWRA goals. My field of expertise on Water Financing, and sustainability backed by my full time profession of being a Financial journalist has helped me to leverage aspects of funding solutions towards water problems. My experience as a Youth Delegate with World Water Council, and a contributing member at Global Water Partnership – has brought me exposure and leadership qualities to successfully conduct projects across Asia.My objectives and enthusiasm align with IWRA’s core remit, and will result in a fruitful
collaboration.
Country of Origin: Morocco
Country of Residence: Bahrain
BIO
Asma Bachikh is a young water professional from Morocco. Asma’s passion and experience lies at the intersection of water policy and management and climate change. She has worked in the past for the World Bank water practice and Center for Mediterranean Integration on a variety of water projects in the MENA region. She is currently working at UNEP. Asma has previously served as president of the World Youth Parliament for Water for a mandate of three years between 2015-2018 where she helped grow the network and support other leading water organizations like GWP in developing their youth strategies. She is currently sitting on the executive board of the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) and is an active member of multiple youth environmental networks like the Climat’Optimistes. Asma holds an MSc in Water Science Policy and Management from the University of Oxford and a Master of Law in China studies with a major in International Relations and Politics from Peking University.
Motivation Statement
For the last three years I have had the honor of serving as the youngest member of the IWRA executive board. I have closely witnessed the growth of the association and have had the pleasure of participating in shaping the organization as I actively contributed to developing the new membership structure of IWRA (as I was part of the membership committee). In addition, I led several activities aimed at supporting and building the capacities of young water professionals like “The call for mentoring early-career professionals to publish with IWRA”.
I believe that there is room for more innovation and growth within IWRA and I would like to help shape the next three years of the association with a special focus on strengthening the network and its regional chapters as well as, creating opportunities for stronger engagement and interactions between young and senior water professionals.
Country of Origin: USA
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
Lindsey is based in Los Angeles and is currently an independent consultant on the thematics of ‘Water and Youth’ and Water Governance and is serving as one of 15 ‘Water and Climate Coalition Leaders’ as part of the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) initiative to advance SDG6 on the global agenda. She holds a M.Sc. in Water Management and Hydrological Science from Texas A & M University (2018), and has served as the former President of the World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW), where she advocated for youth engagement to influence the global water agenda. Lindsey was recently nominated as one of 100 of the young “Leaders of Tomorrow” by the St. Gallen Symposium where she presented on the ‘Value of Water,’ and by global water activist Mina Guli and the #RunningDry campaign as one of the 100 Water Heroes.
Motivation Statement
Lindsey is motivated to join the IWRA team in order to help the organization better engage young professionals into its programming. In her capacity as the former President of WYPW, she advocated for youth engagement to influence the global water agenda. Lindsey has a fervent passion for youth to be recognized as the voices of change. She anticipates that voice will be strengthened with an increase of integration of young professionals within IWRA – a platform where both the upcoming generation and senior professionals can exchange and grow in knowledge together.
Country of Origin: Lebanon
Country of Residence: Lebanon
BIO
Joanna Doummar is an Associate Professor of Groundwater Hydrology in the Department of Geology at the American University of Beirut. She holds a PhD in Hydrogeology from Georg- August University Göttingen (Germany), and an MSc. from the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland). Her various research projects focus on the assessment of recharge and flow in karst aquifers via integrated numerical modelling, as well as the investigation of transport using contamination indicators. For this purpose, with her team, she is gradually building a high-resolution monitoring network of water resources and climatic parameters in poorly investigated sites in Lebanon. She aims at applying the research outcome at a local scale to overcome national water quality and quantity problems and make science accessible to non-technical people. Moreover, she is the Vice president of the International Association of Hydrogeologists for the MENA. Additionally, she was selected by the World Economic Forum Young Scientists Community- Class of 2020.
Website: https://www.aub.edu.lb/hydroGeo_doummar/Pages/default.aspx
Motivation Statement
I gladly accept my nomination to the position of director at IWRA. With other colleagues, we have the opportunity to advance the scientific exchange on water resources, principally in the MENA region which is facing water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. My objective is to address particularly the challenges of groundwater resources as part of an integrated Nexus through scientific discussions, collaborations, and interdisciplinary projects. I further wish to contribute in bridging the gap between policy makers and scientists by relaying science-based evidence to stakeholders and decision makers, and introducing the importance of disruptive technologies (monitoring and decision tools) for proper water management. I will also represent IWRA in local meetings related to water, policy-making, and sustainable development.
Finally, I hope to support a growing network of young scientists, especially female researchers, and endorse their empowerment in science and in the community to make an impact and overcome the rising challenges.
Country of Origin: France
Country of Residence: France
BIO
Guy Fradin is currently retired from the French ministry of agriculture where his last appointment was President of the forestry, water and rural areas department in the minister of agriculture advisory council (2013/2016). He previously was Director general of the Seine-Normandie water agency (2004/2011). Member of the French Academy of Agriculture, adviser of the President of the World water council, he also chairs the environmental observatory of the Canal Seine/nord-Europe society. He served IWRA as Secretary general for the past six years. He worked first as a forester within the French national office for forestry (1976/1980), then in the forestry department of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 1980/1982) and in the International Department of the Ministry of Agriculture (1982/1989). Subsequently, he was in charge of the economic issues of the Ministry (1989/1992) and was appointed Deputy Director for rural areas and forestry and various other responsibilities (1992/2002). He served as Director of nature and landscapes in the Ministry of ecology (2003) and Director of the office of the minister of ecology (2003/2004). Guy Fradin participated actively in the organization of the 6th World water forum as Vice-President , was member of the 7th Forum International steering committee and is member of the international steering committee of the 9th WWF of Dakar.
Motivation Statement
I am an engineer in water and forestry and my whole carreer within the french administration was devoted to these issues and more widely to environment. Also, since the beginning, I had the oportunity to deal with international issues serving in bilateral and multilateral departments. More particularly, since 2004, I could get into the national and international issues of water as general director of the Seine-Normandie water agency and as governor of the World Water Council in which I had responsibilities in the organisation of World water forums 6th and 7th and now within the ISC of the 9th of Dakar. I served also as Treasurer of this organisation. Today I am member of the French Academy of Agriculture, advisor of the Prseident of the World water Council and I stay very much involved to promoting the cause of water and sanitation and fighting for the preservation of water resource. Six years ago I joined IWRA as Secretary general and I think that my expérience was useful to the organization. Notwithstanding my retirement position I hope that I could be useful during the next three years as it is my sincere wish.
Country of Origin: USA/France
Country of Residence: Sweden
BIO
Dani is Global Coordinator for Water and Climate Processes at the Global Water Partnership. Her responsibilites include being a Technical Coordinator for GWP’s climate work and linking GWPs thematic and policy work to global water and climate processes, including with UN bodies, the Decade for Action and other key partners and actors. She recently led the Water Changemakers Awards team. Prior to her current job, she served as Director of Policy and Programs for the World Water Council where she worked extensively on conceptualizing and supporting multi-stakeholder change processes through the triennial World Water Forums for 15 years. She has also served as Vice Chair for the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG). Both American and French, she holds an undergraduate degree from the Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA) and a Masters in Global Development Management from the Open University (UK). She also has communications experience.
Motivation Statement
Although I only recently confirmed my membership with IWRA, I have worked with the organization for many years, in particular through the World Water Forum development process. I have had the honor of serving on the IWRA International Scientific Committee for the 17th World Water Congress and the 2019 Korea International Water Week Advisory Committee.
The aspect of IWRA’s work that I find the most impactful is the continuous effort to strengthen the science-policy interface through integrated and holistic approaches. Making available good quality science-based information for solid decision-making processes is essential for raising the profile and priority for water throughout the world. It is also critical for reaching beyond the borders of the water sector to generate recognition for water’s fundamental role in many other domains. It would be a privilege to enrich the relationship I already have with IWRA and its members by serving on its Executive Board.
Country of Origin: Greece/France
Country of Residence: Greece
BIO
Em. Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, Director of UNESCO Chair/INWEB
Ganoulis is a Hydraulic Engineer, Ph.D. (Doctorat d’Etat) in Natural Sciences, Toulouse University, France, and visiting scholar at several Universities. He has more than 35 years of experience in integrated water resources management, risk analysis, climate change and transboundary water management. He is Ex-State Secretary for Water in Greece, Director of the UNESCO Chair (http://www.inweb.gr/), and Senior Consultant at UNESCO/IHP, Paris. He published more than 200 papers and 10 books including Transboundary Water Resources Management: a Multidisciplinary Approach (WILEY, 2011), Risk Analysis of Water Pollution (WILEY, 2009; 2nd ed.; translated into Chinese), and Transboundary Hydro-Governance: from Conflict to Shared Management (SPRINGER, 2018). Prof. Ganoulis is an IWRA Gold Member, was the Co-Chair of IWRA 1st Int. On-Line Conference on Groundwater Resilience under Climate Change, Oct. 2020 and is a Nominee for the new IWRA.
Motivation Statement
Born in Greece, I was attracted by the significance of “Water” for selecting the Water Engineering Division during my graduate studies in the School of Civil Engineering, and later on by defending a Ph.D. (“Doctorat d’Etat”) on “Groundwater Hydrology” at the University of Toulouse, France. During my academic carrier, I immersed myself in multidisciplinary research and education at various Universities and Policy Institutions around the world. After three years of experience in water policy at UNESCO/Paris as a senior consultant, and four years as State Secretary for Water in Greece, I understood the importance of filling the gaps between water science, policy, and governance. IWRA is the ideal forum for a multidisciplinary approach to water resources management and policy and I aim to contribute to that endeavor if elected as IWRA Director in the 2022-2023 Executive Board
Country of Origin: UK
Country of Residence: UK
BIO
Dr Sarah Hendry is an academic lawyer specialising in water and environmental law. She is the Head of Law at the University of Dundee. She also works within the Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, which is hosted at the University of Dundee. Sarah is Scottish Editor for the Journal of Water Law and the Journal of Environmental Law and Management, co-convenor of the UK Environmental Law Association’s Scottish water law sub-group, and vice-chair of the International Water Association’s Specialist Group on Governance and Regulation. Her interest in Scottish, EU and comparative water law extends across both water resources and water services, and she has published widely, including on comparative frameworks for water law reform and on the ‘Scottish model’ of governance and regulation of water services.
Motivation Statement
I have been a member of the IWRA for many years and I would welcome the opportunity to be more actively involved. I was very pleased to be asked if I would be willing to be nominated as a Director. In my work with the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, hosted here in Dundee, I attended for some years the OECD’s Water Governance Initiative and was involved in the development and implementation of the Water Governance Principles. I was a co-editor of the special edition of Water International and subsequent Routledge book, looking at the implementation of the Principles worldwide. I have also published in Water International on my work in Scotland. As head of an academic department, managing both staff and student programmes, and an expert in water law, I think I would be well placed to contribute to IWRA’s agenda over the period of the next Board.
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
Country of Residence: Azerbaijan
BIO
Farda Ali Imanov was born in Baku on March 13, 1957. He graduated from Saint Petersburg Hydro-Meteorological Institute and got a diploma engineer in hydrology. Professor Imanov has been working for the Hydro-Meteorological Department of Baku State University since 1992. He has been Chair of Department’s until the present from 2004. Professor Imanov also worked as the Dean of Geography Faculty from 2011 to 2016. Since 2005 he has also been the Chairperson of the Azerbaijan IHP National Committee. Professor Imanov’s research and professional activities have included publishing scientific articles, monographs and textbooks, as well as working as the National Coordinator on several regional projects carried out in the South Caucasus on the Kura River Basin since 2002 (work supported by UNDP, GEF, SIDA and UNECE).Professor Imanov is currently the Vice-rector on educational process and teaching technologies of Baku State University.
Motivation Statement
It was a great opportunity for me to have a seat on the Board of IWRA as a director of “Sukanal” Scientific Research and Porject Design Institute in 2019-2021. During this period, I convinced that IWRA achieved to discuss water factor of large scale problems on water in universal dimension, to accept public, economic and political role of water by the world countries. Azerbaijan belongs to the group of numerous countries with limited water resources that are very sensitive to climate change. Fundamental reforms are currently underway in the country’s water sector. We need to improve the water sector within innovative solutions. Various online conferences, seminars and webinars that organized by IWRA were very useful. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 pandemic situation in our countries we had to postpone some planned events in Azerbaijan too. It will be great to get another chance for developing our cooperation and work together.
Country of Origin: Australia
Country of Residence: Australia
BIO
Gary has a 35 year professional history across water science, policy and management. After completing his B.Sc.(Hons) and PhD, he was a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT USA and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne UK. He later joined CSIRO Australia, where he built an international reputation studying toxic cyanobacteria. Gary was appointed CEO of the Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology in 2002, and in 2005 led the establishment of eWater CRC, later guiding its successful transition to a not-for-profit water science & technology company. Since developing and heading the Australian Water Partnership through 2015-16, Gary has had concurrent roles as: Adjunct Professor, University of Canberra; Honorary Principal Fellow, University of Melbourne; Director of the Alliance for Water Stewardship Asia-Pacific (retired 2020); Director of Coliban Water Authority (since 2019); and Board Member of IWRA, including chairing the International Scientific Committee for IWRA’s XVII World Water Congress.
Motivation Statement
I have had a long career in water research & management and have always been motivated by the need for water policy to be informed by the best available science. Consequently, I strongly support IWRA’s mission to build a global network of science and policy professionals who share knowledge and experiences across the poorest and richest countries. This is critical as we strive to use scare water resources wisely and fairly through a period of unprecedented social, economic and environmental change, and when the need for scientific rigour and integrity is constantly being challenged, but has never been so great.
I have been a Director of IWRA since 2016 and I am very keen to continue as an effective and fully-committed board member. My board experiences include: as current Chair of the International Scientific Committee for the XVII World Water Congress; as a current member of the Finance Committee; and as former Chair of the Membership Committee. As a board member, I also encourage and support the participation and leadership of women and young water professionals across all IWRA roles and activities.
Country of Origin: Sudan
Country of Residence: Sudan
BIO
Eiman Karar is a fresh water governance and management expert for local, national, regional and transboundary levels. Eiman is a Sudanese/South African institutional reform expert with more than 20 years experience; 15 of which was gained in Southern Africa and more than 7 years in Eastern and Mena regions. As a policy maker, identified the level, scope and extent of decentralisation of decision making for managing national water resources supported by Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles. Defined and supervised the establishment of Water Forums, Water Users Associations and Catchment Management Agencies in South Africa and Sudan in response for enhancing collective action between citizens and public sector institutions in addressing persistent water challenges including capacity building of governance institutions and non-state actors, civic education, conflict prevention towards mobilisation for joint action, trust building and cooperation. Is a trainer and transformation advocate; contributed to numerous trainings with the Hague Local Government Academy in Multilevel Governance of Water Resources Programme and the Mena region Shiraka Programme (2017-2021). Established the Advocacy Group Sudan Water Sector Development Initiative (WSDI) as a multi-stakeholder change platform for activists. Was a Commissioner on the transboundary Commission of the Limpopo River shared between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe working with national, mainly tertiary institutions, science councils, academies of Science and international research partnerships. Is a member of the scientific committee of the International Water Association. Was the Gender Focal Point for the Global Water Partnership, Southern Africa. Was a member of the Stockholm World Water Week Scientific Programme Committee since 2014. Advisor to the Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Sudan. Initiated the Go Water Programme with the Swedish International Water Institute (SIWI) aimed to support capacity building in water governance in Sudan towards reforming the water sector. Advisor to the UNESCO Regional Center for Capacity Building in Water Harvesting and to the UNESCO Chair for Water at Omdurman University.
Country of Origin: South Korea
Country of Residence: South Korea
BIO
Yoonjin Kim is Executive Director of the Korea Water Forum(KWF) since 2016. KWF is the multi-
stakeholders’ platform for global water cooperation and policy development. She also is the co-chair of the 9 th World Water Forum’s priority ‘Cooperation’ and currently, a member of the Korean
national committee of the UNESCO- IHP. She has also been a program manager of the Asia Water
Council secretariat based at the Water Environment Global Cooperation Center of K-water before she joined KWF. Previously, she was the Forum process coordinator for the Science and Technology Process of the 7th World Water Forum at the National Committee under the Korean Ministry of Land Transport, and Infrastructure for 3 years from 2013. Working in the corporate water sector since 2010, she has focused on the regional coordination of governance and capacity building for sustainable water management. She was a co-founding member and a former executive member of
the EAST (“East Asia Security for Tomorrow”) Society at the Graduate School of International Politics
at Korea University. She was also a founding member of “People for Successful Corean Reunification” (PS CORE) with an academic focus on enhancement of non-traditional security. She also has organized numerous international summits and ministerial level inter-governmental conferences and managed national projects focused on global water cooperation.
Motivation Statement
Having 11- year work experience within the international cooperation in water sector, I have
developed strong expertise in building partnerships and coordinating co-work and communication between various stakeholders of different water sectors and groups. I joined the process of setting a national water agenda for international cooperation activities with more than 100 experts as the main planner and coordinator, which requires knowledge on global water paradigm changes and dynamics of national water activities as well as insights to set the national strategy for water cooperation in global society. It is well fit with the IWRA’s keynote linking world with global
knowledge at the interface of science and policy for sustainable water management. I also have a
strong expertise in organizing international water conferences and mega events, which would be
particularly useful in relation to the IWRA’s World Water Congress. Being well connected in Asian
and international water sectors, I also can connect and provide local and feature- based insights and
networks for the next World Water Congress as well.
Main achievements that are highly relevant to and prove the value that I can add to IWRA’s next board members is as follows:
– Being the Northeast Asia regional coordinator dealing with the recent and imminent water issues for the Asia Pacific Water Forum(2012~current) and the World Water Forum (6 th to 8 th )
– Organizing multiple summits and high-level inter-governmental conferences, and managing
national projects related to global water cooperation
– Planning, coordinating the process of setting a national water agenda for international cooperation led by the Korean government
– Planning and operating of Science and Technology as well as policy based programs and coordinating parties involved in their delivery
– Planning initiatives and building partnership with public and private linking water technology and policy through the conceptualization and design new projects (World Water Forum, Korea International Water Week, P4G)
Based on my years of working with and coordinating various water stakeholders of both public and
private in diverse water professional work scope, including collaboration with the IWRA over a number of years, I am seeking to leverage my experience in reinforcing global cooperation on water in the IWRA and contributing to expand regional scope of the IWRA works.
Country of Origin: Slovakia/USA
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
As an international environmental lawyer, Ms. Krchnak has worked to improve policies and procedures related to environmental management and resource conservation worldwide for over 25 years. She has spent the last 15 years in leadership positions around improving water resource management. This has included managing initiatives focused on advancing corporate water stewardship, water security, and building better governance through increased transparency, rule of law and institutional strengthening. She currently leads the 2030 Water Resources Group, hosted by the World Bank Group. Ms. Krchnak received her B.A. in Political Science from Duke University and her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. She has published extensively in international environmental policy and sustainable development, particularly on freshwater issues.
Motivation Statement
I welcome the opportunity to serve on IWRA’s Board for a second term. This past term, I chaired the External and Public Relations Committee, working with the Executive Office Team and fellow Board members to strengthen IWRA’s collaboration and partnerships with like-minded organizations. IWRA is on a solid footing, demonstrating its value to the water community through education, research, and knowledge exchange. As the world is unfortunately not on track to meet SDG 6 or the water-related targets of the other SDG goals, the role of IWRA becomes even more important for academicians, practitioners, and policy makers to work together in overcoming the obstacles to achievement of the SDGs, including the emerging water-related issues related to the pandemic. I applaud IWRA for its willingness to take on such tough topics as groundwater management. IWRA’s new membership structure offers a pathway to engage more people, particularly younger individuals, in thinking outside the box. I am particularly excited about IWRA’s XVII World Water Congress and the contribution this will make to new approaches to improve water management. If I am elected, I will continue to support IWRA’s evolution through its next phase to help ensure good theories move beyond paper and are put into practice.
Country of Origin: Sweden
Country of Residence: Sweden
BIO
Birgitta Liss Lymer is Director of the Water Resources Department at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). SIWI’s Water Resources Department develops and applies research-based tools and methodologies, provides technical support to low- and middle-income countries for improved governance of water resources and contributes to international policy. In 2014, Birgitta Liss Lymer initiated the establishment of the SIWI-led Action Platform for Source-to-Sea Management (S2S Platform) that now gathers many of the main global and regional organisations working to strengthen the links between water, coastal and marine management. She has authored several reports and peer-reviewed papers on the topic. She also leads the UNDP-SIWI Water Governance Facility – a collaboration between SIWI and UNDP on knowledge and capacity development in the areas of water resources management, transboundary waters and WASH. Prior to joining SIWI in 2011, Birgitta spent a decade working for different UN agencies in Asia and Africa with intergovernmental cooperation, policy development and implementation in the areas of water and sanitation, coastal and marine environmental protection and marine fisheries. Birgitta has a Master of Science in Aquatic and Environmental Engineering from Uppsala University, Sweden.
Motivation Statement
I am proud to be nominated to continue another term on IWRA’s Executive Board. This provides an excellent opportunity to continue strengthening the links between research, policy and practice in the area of water governance, while building upon the relationship between IWRA and SIWI through the opportunities provided by, for example, the Stockholm World Water Week.
A central challenge in the effort to achieve a sustainable development concerns balancing competing uses of water in an equitable manner while building resilience to climate change, maintaining water quality and ensuring healthy and diverse ecosystems and from “source” to “sea”. To achieve this, the importance of solid water governance mechanisms, able to ensure participatory and transparent processes and adapt to change, cannot be underestimated. I am looking forward to working with IWRA and its members to continue knowledge generation, exchange and influence on policy and practice in these areas
Country of Origin: Spain
Country of Residence: Spain
BIO
Dr Elena López Gunn is Founder and Director of ICATALIST (www.icatalist.eu) based in Spain. Elena is also an IPCC Lead author of Working Group 2 on Adaptation in Chapter 4 on water. Elena is passionate about water as part of a wider complex system, and particularly on having a deeper understanding of peoples ́relationship to water. She is a geographer by training, with a Master in Environment and Development (Univ. of Cambridge), a PhD in Geography (Kings College, London) and a Master in investigative journalism, and data visualization (Rey Juan Carlos I with El Mundo newspaper, Spain). Elena is particularly interested in giving value to positive externalities from healthy functioning ecosystems as a protection from increasing water risks, more likely in the future due to climate change and changes in human drivers. Adaptation through strong water governance and management provide a critical venue to provide socioeconomic resilience for human development.
Motivation Statement
I am very motivated to join the IWRA Board, as part of an organization that is making a real difference across the world by connecting, mobilising, and supporting a global water community with its many actions. In recent years, I have both participated and helped organise IWRA events, supporting strong scientific and professional discussions that have successfully incorporated the voice of young professionals in upcoming important topics. Most importantly the IWRA offers an interdisciplinary approach to water that is – and will be -essential to its future governance and management. Water is a complex and valuable resource for human development under a changing climate. Thus, together with colleagues, I would like to steer the vision of a global community that tackles global water challenges with both a strong scientific base and a deep concern for human and ecosystems wellbeing. I bring commitment, a collaborative spirit, and an innate curiosity to solve complex problems.
Country of Origin: Zimbabwe
Country of Residence: Zimbabwe
BIO
Trevor I Magwaza is a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) and a Corporate Member of Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE). A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by Project Management Institute (PMI) USA and a professional member of PMI. Trevor is a holder of Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Civil and Water Engineering from the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe and currently in my final semester for a Master’s in Water Resources Engineering and Management at the University of Zimbabwe. I have more than 16 years’ experience practicing as a Water and Sanitation Engineer. Currently am employed by the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) a Development Finance Institution as a Chief Technical Officer responsible for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects. I have vast experiencE in the designing and implementation of water and sanitation projects within the SADC region. I sat in the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE) Board as a committee member for the period 10 September 2018 to 31 March 2021, I also sit in Chinhoyi University Council / Board where we foster research in the water and sanitation amongst other research areas. I am confident with my experience and keenness will contribute meaningfully to water issues in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
Motivation Statement
I am writing to express my interest to be appointed as a Board Member for the International Water Resources Association – IWRA as it has always been my endeavor to be associated with such an International Water Board. I am actively involved in the development and monitoring of national water projects. I sit in a number of boards and direct water management among other projects at the country’s largest infrastructure projects financier, the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe. For Zimbabwe, water resources management falls among top priorities as the country is faced with water scarcity mainly due to climate change. It is my interest to be representing water issues for the African Region especially considering that water is now becoming a scarce resource with potential for conflicts amongst riparian states. There is need for
advancing development of close cooperation for judicious, sustainable and coordinated utilization of resources of the shared water resources within the Region. Promoting and facilitating the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals especially SDG 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” is a milestone as the Board of Director will seek to achieve within the Region. I am confident if appointed a Board Member l will be able to promote and facilitate in the development, utilization and management of water resources through engaging stakeholders within the region to ensure legislation, policies and institutions advance the efficient, equitable and environmentally sustainable utilization of the scarce water resources. I will also advance the harmonisation and monitoring of legislation and policies for planning, development, conservation, protection of shared watercourses, and allocation of the resources thereof; and Protocols on Shared Water resources (shared watercourses and aquifers).
Country of Origin: India
Country of Residence: Thailand
BIO
Ganesh Pangare is recognized as a leader in the area of environment, water resources,
agriculture, green infrastructure, climate and sustainability, with experience spanning over 30 years, largely across Asia-Pacific but also Africa and the South Americas. He has worked with international organisations in senior positions such as the Regional Director, International Water Association (IWA), Asia-Pacific, the World Bank, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Department for International Development (DFID UK) etc. He has published more than 15 books on water, ecosystems and biodiversity. He has been quoted in Time magazine, written for Nature and has publications with the IFPRI, FAO, UNESCO, the World Bank, ADB and other international organizations.
Ganesh has been a part of expeditions to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Amazon Forest, National Parks in Africa and Asia, across the Himalayas and to the Everest Base Camp. His work and personal zeal for adventure has taken him to each of the seven continents, spanning more than a hundred countries.
Motivation statement
It’s my pleasure and honor to stand for elections to be on the executive board of IWRA. I have participated in most of the landmark water meetings in the past two decades, including the World Water Forums, the UN Bonn Conference and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, to being a representative of the Government of India to UNFCC meetings. Been on the organizing committee of various international water weeks like the
SIWW, KIWW etc. If elected to the board of IWRA I would like to increase the visibility and increase membership of IWRA in the South and South Asia Region. See more youth and academic, research, private institutions and universities from South and South East Region get engaged and involved with IWRA. IWRA has achieved a lot in the last few years internally but much more can be done specifically in the Region I would represent. I hope you support me.
Country of Origin: USA
Country of Residence: USA
BIO
Charlotte Roehm is a researcher, educator, and policy analyst in the water resource management and ecosystem science sectors. She leads strategic efforts for water resource and drought management in the Western US, and is currently on rotation as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation. Charlotte is the co-chair for the IWRA Water and Climate Task Force’s Mountains to Plains working group, and serves as co-chair of the American Water Resources Association’s Future Risk Committee and the 2022 Spring Symposium. She had led a suite of projects focusing on the impacts of a changing climate on Arctic and Boreal environments in Sweden and Canada, as well as water quality and restoration issues in Germany and the US Great Lakes. She directed efforts in the construction and transition to operations for a continental scale ecological observatory. Charlotte serves as a member and past chair of a regional to global Water Sanitation and Hygiene symposium providing educational and technological resources to practitioners and volunteers working in the WaSH sector, and raising scholarship funds in support of student projects. Born and raised in Italy, she is a US and British national and holds a BSc from King’s College London and a PhD from McGill University, Canada.
Motivation Statement
I have had the honor to serve on several Boards in the last decade, working to enhance opportunities and positively impact a diverse set of communities ranging from underserved school children, to providing high quality drinking water to 150+ home owners, to a service-based organization of over 200+ members within a global network of more than 1.2M. I am passionate about ensuring that, as a community, we come together to learn and grow from one another, by creating a global network of dialogue and knowledge exchange that will provide sustainable opportunities and build capacity resulting in long-lasting positive change. Serving on the IWRA Board of Directors, I believe that I can bring and build on my skills, experiences, and expertise to help meet and expand IWRAs’ short to long-term objectives, and help advance the 12 priority themes. Having served as the membership chair for a service-based organization, I appreciate the importance of developing a strong membership base that is driven by the mission and values of IWRA, and who will build the next generation of international, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary water stewards. Fiscal oversight and the ability to measure the true impact of investments is key to building organizational capacity, support sustainable funding models, and drive cutting-edge and translational science and research to inform innovative solutions, policies, and programs to ensure a secure water future.
Country of Origin: Egypt
Country of Residence: Kuwait
BIO
Dahlia Sabri is an expert in water resources engineering with over 18 years of experience in water-related projects in the private sector, the UN, and other international organizations. She began her professional career as a water engineer and contributed to several interdisciplinary international projects. As such, she is familiar with the water resources sector in Egypt, Sweden, Germany, and Kuwait. Currently, She is currently working on her Ph.D. on developing novel techniques for water reuse and she serves on the IWRA Water Security Task Force. Her experience includes project management of multi-disciplinary projects, hydrological and environmental investigations and monitoring, water and wastewater systems, stormwater drainage assessments, design and management, irrigation networks design, and climate change adaptation in the water resources sectors. She is very familiar with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and analysis as well as the interpretation of water quality data modeling with an in-depth knowledge of current hydrology and hydraulics techniques and software, e.g., WaterGems, SewerGems, StormCad, HYDRUS, Global Mapper, and application of GIS in Water Resources. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Cairo University, Egypt, and a Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering from Lund University, Sweden. She is currently based in Kuwait and has her roots in Egypt. She’s lived for several years in Lund, Sweden, and in Bonn, Germany, where she pursued her postgraduate degrees. She is used to working internationally and worked for several months in Germany in the capacity of a Consultant for the UNFCCC and has participated in several international and UN-financed projects. Having lived and worked in several countries, She can speak Arabic, English, French, and to an extent, can also use Swedish and German.
Motivation statement
It would be an absolute honour to serve on the IWRA Executive Board. In my candidacy to the director position, I aspire to use my 18 years of work experience in the water resources field and my engineering background to support the IWRA Executive Board decision-making, which is to the benefit of the Association and water resources community at large. I am mainly an expert in water resources engineering and hydraulic modelling. I had the privilege to provide expert advocacy to several UN organizations and professional work with the private sector; and as a result, my expertise is as much practical, as academic and research-based.
Given my background and achievements, I believe I can make a significant contribution to the coming board. I am grateful for this nomination which will allow me to play a role in bringing the water stakeholders and water community together through IWRA to support the activities of IWRA and advocate its priority themes in the MENA region. I am ready to invest time and effort to fulfil my duties as a Board director.
Country of Origin: Mexico
Country of Residence: Mexico
BIO
Dr. Rosario Sanchez Flores is a Senior Research Scientist at the Texas Water Resources Institute at Texas A&M University and Associate Graduate Faculty of the Water Management and Hydrological Sciences Program. She is Co-Chair of the Transboundary Aquifers Commission of the International Association of Hydrogeologists and Director of the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters. She is the PI of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act program for the state of Texas, and she leads the transboundary groundwater research team with 15 years of academic and work experience on transboundary issues between Mexico and the United States. She has been working and publishing on transboundary water issues at an international and binational level since 2006. This data can be found on the Transboundary Water Portal.
Motivation Statement
To get involved in broader international water issues as well as to expand our international network. To help and support dissemination of science to different audiences and different regions of the world and to be part of designing the international water agenda.
Country of Origin: China
Country of Residence: China
BIO
Yizi Shang is Principal Investigator (PI) and Senior Research Engineer at China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR). He has worked to promote the sustainable use of water resources in areas with water scarcity for over 20 years, and at least 10 years as PI in consulting to international institutions, public authorities, academia, as well as private industry to improve their water resources utilization. His recent work concentrates on developing intelligent technologies in addressing the equitable and efficient use of water for many different purposes, and he has received a number of awards for the outstanding contribution in industries. Prior to join in IWHR, Yizi was Research Fellow at Harvard University, and Associate Editor (AE) for Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA). Over the years, Yizi has been involved in numerous international journals, international scientific committees, and task forces, where he served in various capacities such as Board Member, Executive Director and Secretary General, in particular, he is presently serving as AEs on the Editorial Board of Water International and Frontiers in Water. Yizi is the author of numerous publications related to water resources planning and management, and holder of 35 registered patents, Yizi offers a unique blend of experiences crossing academia, industry and the NGO sector.
Motivation Statement
I am a pioneering researcher in water resources planning and management, appointed associate editor of Water International (the official journal of the International Water Resources Association), MWR senior engineer, and holder of 35 registered patents. I have made outstanding contributions to ensuring the sustainable use of water resources in areas with water scarcity through my research on the
conservation and protection of water resources. I believe I am fully qualified to serve as a director of the IWRA Executive Board since I am very enthusiastic about public welfare and have actively participated in various academic activities. I am a member of the invited panel of experts for various famous international institutes, such as World Bank Group, National Taiwan University, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China Three Gorges Corporation, and Yellow River Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd., and I am a conscientious editor volunteered to serve for numerous
international journals, and have a rich experience of successfully organizing international conferences and various Academic exchange activities. More importantly, I have a deep interest in contributing my experience, network and efforts to boost
IWRA growth.
Country of Origin: Australia/France
Country of Residence: Spain
BIO
Tom is an executive and consultant in the water sector. He has been Executive Director of IWRA and the World Water Council and also has a background in consulting to international institutions, public authorities, academia, as well as private industry. Tom’s current focus areas include institutional arrangements, strengthening the link between knowledge generation and policy making; hydro-environment engineering and research; water quality; building networks between private industry, research and government stakeholders; as well as strategy and technical consulting in the sector of water and natural resources. Over the years, Tom has participated in numerous international committees and task forces. He holds a research masters degree in geography; and also has a degree in computer systems engineering (electrical). He currently heads up the International Association of Hydro-Environmental Engineering and Research; is a founding member of the Water Policy Group; a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Water Partnership; as well as chairs the International Advisory Committee of the UNSW Global Water Institute, and the Membership Committee (2019-2021) of the IWRA.
Motivation Statement
I would like to bring a broad knowledge of the water sector, long experience with associations and global water stakeholders, and knowledge of extensive networks to help the IWRA to continue its amazing growth and contributions.
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Country of Residence: China
BIO
Otto Spijkers is professor of international law at Wuhan University’s China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies as well as its Research Institute of Environmental Law and founding staff member of its International Water Law Academy. He is managing editor of the Chinese Journal of Environmental Law. Prior to joining Wuhan University, he worked at the Utrecht Centre for Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law (Netherlands). He was visiting lecturer inter alia at Peking University Law School, Xiamen University’s China International Water Law Programme, the Università degli Studi di Salerno (Italy), and the Université Catholique d’Afrique Centrale (Yaoundé, Cameroon). He wrote his doctoral dissertation, entitled The United Nations, the Evolution of Global Values and International Law, at the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies of Leiden University.”
Motivation Statement
Together with Patricia Wouters, Lingjie Kong, David J. Devlaeminck, Jing Lee, Owen McIntyre, Alistair Rieu-Clarke, and Sergei Vinogradov, I have recently established the International Water Law Academy (IWLA) at Wuhan University, China. The Academy is established as a global center for the study, research and executive training in the international law that governs the use of transboundary freshwater resources. Central to the Academy is the development of a ‘Community of Scholars’ convened by the Academy to facilitate enhanced transboundary water cooperation. I hope to use my active involvement in the IWRA’s work to connect the Academy to the IWRA community, and vice versa, to ensure a flourishing cross-fertilization.
Country of Origin: Brazil
Country of Residence: Brazil
BIO
Born in the recharge area of the Guarani Aquifer in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil, Pilar has been a Professor in the Sea Institute (Santos, SP) at the Federal University of São Paulo since 2013. She is a lawyer with a master and PhD in Environmental Sciences and a Postdoctoral degree in Sedimentary and Environmental Geology from the University of São Paulo. She teaches Environmental Law and Water Resources Management, and her research focuses on multilevel governance of groundwater, especially the Guarani Aquifer, and transboundary governance of the La Plata River Basin. She has coordinated and taught in several courses about water in Brazil and South America promoted by PHI-UNESCO and the Brazilian National Water and Sanitation Agency, as well has publish articles and developed teaching materials on transboundary water governance and water law. Pilar also acted as a Legal Component consultant for the Framework program of the La Plata River Basin.
Motivation Statement
Forced home-office work has imposed on me a new water management challenge, which is to ensure the sustainable use of the garden hose by my two-year-old son. Seeing him playing makes me realize that since childhood water brings joy and there is a tendency to overuse this resource, causing the complexity of water governance. The IWRA develops an incredible work on education, research, and information exchange among countries and across disciplines to overcome this governance challenge. However, the socio-environmental diversity of South America must be better embraced and explored. This region is the most diverse continent in terms of water resources and has an incredible socio-cultural richness concerning water visions. Despite this, the area is understudied, and great national researchers are left out of this global network of knowledge. Due to my previous experience, I think I can contribute to this mission with my knowledge of regional strengths and weakness as well as my professional networks.
Country of Origin: UK
Country of Residence: India
BIO
Tom is Director for Nature Action & Water for WBCSD, working with leading multinational companies on their nature targets and actions. He has worked in both developed and developing countries, with experience collaborating with a range of stakeholders including utilities, government, research institutes, businesses, donor agencies, UN agencies and NGOs. Before joining WBCSD, Tom was interim Executive Director for the International Water Association.
Motivation Statement
water is an increasingly important risk for business and over the coming years will be a central component of the Science Based Targets for Nature and Task force for Nature related Financial Disclosure (TNFD) recommendations. More than ever, business will be looking to the water community for science, evidence and technical know-how to ensure their water stewardship approaches stand up to scrutiny. I would like to play a role in bringing the business community and water community together through IWRA. From a personal perspective, I’ve worked in the international water sector for over 15 years and previously been a member of the IWA Board. Whilst appreciating the priorities and trends in the water space, I also understand the important role of professional member associations and hope to help identify innovative ways in which IWRA can respond to member needs and continue to amplify IWRA’s voice.
Country of Origin: Lebanon
Country of Residence: Lebanon
BIO
Sandra Yanni, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Soil/Agroecology/Water at the Agriculture Department of the American University of Beirut. Sandra’s research focuses on soil health, conservation agriculture, and soil management techniques that support agriculture under dryland conditions. Her interests and previous work relate to the response and adaptation of soil processes with climate change and temperature rise.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sandra-Yanni
https://www.aub.edu.lb/fafs/agri/Pages/default.aspx
Motivation Statement
I am very happy to be nominated for the Executive Board of Directors of IWRA. This will be an opportunity to serve and contribute to the activities of IWRA and promote its priorities in the MENA region. Water resources are becoming scarcer in this region with the evident impact of climate change, and I would look forward to contributing to awareness, dissemination of information and knowledge, and research motivation globally and in the MENA. I am a member of the American University of Beirut community which is a leading force in agricultural water management and research in Lebanon and the region. Through this membership, I am well positioned to benefit the promotion of IWRA vision and priorities.
