Meaningful Conversations with Annyse

The World Is Full of Nice People Trying to Do Nice Things - Ana Carolina Maganha de Almeid on Water, Green Lands & the Human Work About this episode What does the future of water actually require of us? In this episode, Annyse sits down with Ana Carolina Maganha de Almeid for a conversation that moves from a single card ("Mystery") to green landscapes, the power of community, the wav...

What would it take to make sure everyone – everyone - has access to safe, clean, affordable water? In this episode, Annyse sits down with Wendy Broley for a conversation that moves from a single card drawn from a deck ("Hope") to the future of water, the limits of control and the kind of leadership the next chapter will actually require. Wendy's throughline is disarmingly human: the...

Guest: Melissa Meeker, CEO, The Water Tower  About this episode What does it look like when a 35-year water industry veteran finally steps fully into her power and decides to use it to change everything? In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Meeker, CEO of The Water Tower, a nonprofit water innovation centre in Georgia, to talk about workforce transformation, community healing, women in leader...

A conversation with Carolina Garcia, Co-Founder & CEO, Myzelio Episode summary In this episode, we sit down with Carolina Garcia - sustainability leader, Antarctic explorer, and founder of Myzelio - to explore what it really takes to drive transformative climate and nature action. Carolina draws on nearly a decade at AB InBev, four years at the WWF and her work building Myzelio to make a bold...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse speaks with Victoria Edwards - former concert pianist, founder of FIDO Tech, and CEO of K622 Tech. Victoria is using acoustics and AI to revolutionise how we detect and manage water loss, and she brings one of the freshest perspectives in the global water conversation. Victoria drew the Endurance card and what unfolded was a powerful discussion a...

What does it mean to be truly wise about water? In this episode, host Annyse speaks with Cindy Wallis-Lage, a long-career water sector leader, about indigenous knowledge, the danger of solving the wrong problem, and why water needs to become a want — not just a need. Cindy chose the Wisdom card and from that single image of waves and flowing water, an expansive conversation unfolded. Drawing on he...

About this episode What happens when a sector becomes so good at its job that it makes itself invisible? In this episode, Annyse sits down with Nicole Brown, a nationally recognised water leader, equity champion, and founding Vice President of the Black Water Professionals Alliance, for a conversation that is equal parts practical and profound. Nicole brings 27 years of experience in the water sec...

Guest: Kristen Atha | Director of Columbus Water & Power, City of Columbus About This Episode In this episode, Annyse sits down with Kristen Atha, Director of Columbus Water & Power for the City of Columbus, a leader who thinks in generations, leads with her whole self and is quietly doing some of the most important infrastructure work in America right now. Appointed by Mayor Andrew Ginthe...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations , Annyse sits down with Dr Angela MacOscar , Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water — a visionary leader with a PhD in physical chemistry and a passion for building cultures where innovation can truly thrive. Angela chose the Bold card, and from that simple starting point, a rich conversation unfolded around regeneration, roots, diversity, and what it...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations , we sit down with Alisha McFetridge, founder of Rainstick, for an honest and timely conversation sparked by one simple prompt: Truth . Alisha shares an analogy many of us know too well  - coming home from a great vacation and avoiding checking your bank account. In the water sector, we often do something similar: prioritising short-term costs and quarte...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations , we sit down with Kamakshi Sharma, Director of Marketing & Strategy at Aquatech, to explore what growth truly means for the future of the water industry. Kamakshi leads Aquatech’s global marketing and communications efforts and plays a central role in shaping market and business strategy across the organization. At a time when climate change, water...

To open Season 2 of Meaningful Conversations , Annyse is joined by Eleanor Allen, CEO of the World Flourishing Organization and founder of Catapult for Change, for a powerful, reflective conversation on leadership, audacity, and what it truly means to flourish at work. Eleanor’s career spans Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and startups across more than 50 countries. She has held senior leadersh...

In the final episode of Series 1 of Meaningful Conversations , Annyse sits down with Kate Brown , Principal Technical Consultant at ERM and former leader of Procter & Gamble’s 2030 Water Positive Future program. With more than 25 years of experience in global sustainability, Kate has built and led water programs that balance business needs with watershed resilience. In this conversation, she s...

What does power really mean in the future of water? Is it about technology, policy, or something more personal — our individual influence and the culture we create? In this episode, we sit down with Brianne Nakamura, a second-generation water engineer, innovator, and connector with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Currently Global Product Manager at Xylem’s Pure Technologies brand...

In this powerful episode, Annyse is joined by Dr. Mirka Wilderer , CEO of AqueoUS Vets , a leader known for scaling organizations and nurturing meaningful innovation in the water industry. Together, they dive deep into the topics of disruption, co-creation, consistency , and trusting the unknown . Mirka shares her perspective on how the water industry can break free from outdated paradigms by invi...

💧 “We quietly protect public health. But it’s time to tell water’s story out loud.” — Kendra Morris, CEO, Regulated Water, Veolia North America Kendra Morris brings a city planner’s vision and a bold, hopeful outlook to the water sector. In this episode, we explore how water leaders can balance compliance with affordability, think in 100-year cycles, and use storytelling as a tool for trust, tale...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations , Annyse speaks with longtime US EPA water leader Sally Gutierrez about her powerful journey in the water sector. From overseeing the world’s largest water permitting program to championing innovation and breaking barriers for women, Sally shares wisdom, humor, and heart. Annyse and Sally explore how storytelling, leadership, and bold thinking are shapin...

In this inspiring episode, Annyse sits down with Kariann Aarup, Vice President of Programme Development and Impact at AquaAction, to explore what it truly means to lead with intention, empathy, and connection in the water sector—and beyond. Kariann shares her journey as a collaborative leader deeply rooted in purpose, personal growth, and environmental stewardship. Together, they dive into topics...

In this episode, we sit down with Natasha Wiseman , founder of Wise on Water and the not-for-profit platform Make Water Famous . Natasha is a passionate advocate for the power of communication in the water sector—believing that if we want to build real change, we must start by telling the truth about water. From climate disruption to pollution and public trust, Natasha shares how storytelling can...

In the latest episode of Meaningful Conversations , we sit down with Jackie Jarrell, who has spent much of her career working at Charlotte Water and is now a Principal Consultant at Raftelis and a WEF Fellow.  Jackie’s career has been dedicated to water development, municipal strategy, and creating life-nurturing work environments. Jackie brings deep wisdom from years of experience in utilities—an...

In our latest Meaningful Conversations podcast episode, I had the deep pleasure of speaking with Erica Gies , award-winning journalist and author of Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge . This conversation left me both grounded and inspired — Erica brings not only science, but also soul, to the way we think about water. At the heart of Erica’s work is the Slow Water movement...

In this inspiring conversation, Pamela Lynch, President of BlueWave Strategy and investing member of Portfolia, invites us to rethink how we approach water, leadership, and collective wellbeing.  Drawing from two decades of innovation in water and climate tech, Pamela shares insights on cathedral thinking , building wellness into water strategies, and the vital role of meaningful conversations in...

In this inspiring episode of Meaningful Conversations , we sit down with Julie Bliss Mullen , Founder and Advisor of Aclarity , a company on a mission to destroy "forever chemicals" forever. Julie shares her journey from PhD researcher to Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, and how motherhood has deepened her purpose. We explore the connection between healing water and healing people, trust...

Welcome to the first episode of our Meaningful Conversations Podcast where we talk with the wonderful Laura Gallindo , the Global Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications at Grundfos Water Utility. In this episode, Laura and Annyse dive into a rich and reflective conversation about leadership, purpose, and the future of work — through the lens of intention, rest, and the wisdom of water....

Join us in meaningful conversations with inspiring women from water and beyond. Together, we explore bold visions, plant seeds for possibility, and reflect on what’s emerging in our world — as professionals, as humans, as a global community.