OUR WATER LEADERS

Mark Bruzzone is a visionary, purpose-driven leader, founded on strong values integrity and trust, underpinned by a passion for developing people and client-focussed delivery. Mark has over 25 years’ experience in design, construction, facilities management and operations across the infrastructure, transportation, water, energy and natural resources sectors in Australia and New Zealand.

As CEO at Abergeldie, Mark leads strategy, marketing, business development, sales, operations, mergers and acquisitions and business transformation. Mark is a Chartered Engineering Executive and Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia. Mark is an active supporter and advocate for a number of charitable organisations that align with Abergeldie’s mission to build better communities including Vinnies and WaterAid.

Dr Ryan Signor is Aurecon’s Industry Director for Water. He leads Aurecon’s water community, drives the positive impact we seek to have within the industry and communities it supports, and connects clients and organisations that have roles to play in water stewardship. Ryan’s early career research was on the links between water and public health. Over two decades, he has built extensive experience in development and delivery of water programs and projects, design and implementation of strategic transformations for water entities, and providing water policy and sustainable development advice. He is passionate about building teams with the desire, ideas, and diversity to deliver a more liveable and sustainable world.

"I grew up in a place where water was at the heart of the community and its identity. Early in my life I came to appreciate the array of values that water supports. Everyone deserves access to clean water.

At Aurecon, we understand and take seriously our deep responsibility to be water stewards and create a better world for tomorrow. We do this by collaborating with our industry partners to address some of the world’s most urgent needs including access to clean water and sanitation for all, transitioning to a circular economy and a changing climate, working to restore and protect natural environments, and advocating for change.

By joining Walk for Water, we are contributing to a better future for many."

Over a 20-year career in the water industry Shaun understands the critical role water plays in cultural, social, economic and environmental wellbeing. He is thrilled to be taking part in this year’s Walk for Water. Shaun enjoys walking and running with his dog for relaxation and exercise in his spare time and acknowledges how very fortunate he is to have access to clean drinking water. Millions of people around the world have to walk long, dangerous and often physically painful distances every day just to collect water, which is often not safe to drink. Walk for Water is a great initiative to raise awareness and money to help everyone have access to safe drinking water. In addition, Shaun is passionate about addressing the gender equality gap. He acknowledges the task of collecting water often falls to women and freeing up their time, through access to drinking water, will enable young women to go to school and further their education.

As part of this year’s Walk for Water, Shaun will be challenging himself to run extra kilometres in the week (maybe even a marathon – watch this space) and is encouraging as many people as possible to walk, run or ride to raise much needed funds to enable clean and safe drinking water for all.

Here is what Neal said when asked why he supports Walk for Water and joined as a Water Leader.

"Leading the Downer ANZ Water business has been both a challenging and rewarding experience, highlighting just how reliable our water assets are in Australia and New Zealand. But with that reliability often comes complacency - it's easy to forget that many communities globally don't have the same access. Walk for Water is a powerful way to bring this value conversation to the forefront. Water is a life-sustaining, precious resource, and I look forward to standing with WaterAid and Walk for Water Leaders to help realise our shared goal of delivering safe and sustainable services and infrastructure to connect communities and enable them to thrive."

Lindsey is a water industry leader and influencer looking to make a dent. With her finger on the pulse of water issues and industry trends, she has a reputation for pushing boundaries and looking for new partnerships and collaboration opportunities everywhere. As the Australian Market Leader – Water, she leads GHD's large cohort of water professionals to support utilities in delivering great outcomes for customers, community and the environment. She is active in a number of industry associations including the AWA, IWA, WaterAble and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She’s passionate about diversity, sport, food, her dog and her family of five -pretty much in that order.

Here is what Lindsey said when asked why she supports Walk for Water and joined as a Water Leader.

"GHD is a longtime partner of WaterAid and we see their mission totally aligned with ours, in delivering lasting community benefit.

I participate in Walk for Water each year because it reminds me to be grateful for my privilege and the opportunity I have to help others."

Daniel Weaver is the Managing Director of Interflow, and the fourth generation of the Weaver family to lead the company. As someone who has grown up in the industry, Daniel understands the important role that safe and accessible water plays in creating healthy communities.

Today, Daniel is leading Interflow towards its vision: to be the leading provider of pipeline infrastructure in Australia and New Zealand. He unlocks value for Interflow’s customers, people and communities as he strives to ensure that Interflow is a company that people want to work for and customers want to partner with, to deliver world class pipeline infrastructure solutions.

Here is what Daniel said when asked why he supports Walk for Water and joined as a Water Leader.

"Interflow has supported WaterAid for many years. For us, water and the water industry have always been such an important part of our lives, our business and our family. It’s been part of who we are and what we do since the business was founded by my great grandfather in 1936.

For our family, supporting WaterAid is a way of giving back and playing our part in improving the lives of other families and communities, making a difference both now and for future generations.

My parents visited Timor-Leste in 2013 and saw firsthand the difference even the most basic amenities can make to the health and happiness of the people within these communities. Last year my wife and I had the same opportunity, which was a very special experience for me and my family.

When visiting villages that have received support from WaterAid, you could clearly see the difference having easy access to water made. Instead of walking for hours each day, sometimes long distances and through challenging terrain, people could spend that time in other ways that benefited their futures, their families and their communities.

Walk for Water reminds us that the playing field isn’t level and that we, as water leaders, have an important role to play in changing that."

Mary is an Executive Director at Jacobs, for the water market across ANZ. Mary has worked in the water sector for more 30 years, across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East. Her motivation is to work with teams to develop and deliver sustainable water solutions that are pragmatic, with a focus on environment and community.

Here is what Mary said when asked why she supports Walk for Water and joined as a Water Leader.

"I joined as a Water Leader for WaterAid to advocate on behalf of so many communities and people across the world, who still lack the essentials of clean water and decent sanitation and hygiene.

I support Walk for Water as it provides an opportunity to amplify the fact that right now, millions of people lack access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene. Importantly, it is a reminder that supporting Walk for Water promotes gender equality by relieving women and girls from the arduous task of water collection, enabling them to participate in economic and educational activities on par with men and boys."

Melissa is John Holland’s National Strategy, Customer & Markets Manager for the Water team, where she is developing the 3-5 years strategy and pursuits and cultivating relationships with clients, partners, and consultants.

With over a decade of experience driving transformative projects within the water-waste-energy sector in Australia and overseas, Melissa holds a Master of Sciences in International Management & Sustainability, and a Master of Engineering and Environmental Services.

In her spare time, when she's not hiking, camping or rock climbing, she likes to read in a hammock or wander around her veggie garden and check on her worm farm.

Here is what Melissa said when asked why she supports Walk for Water and joined as a Water Leader.

"Growing up between the south of France and the south of Spain, I was surrounded by the beauty of Mediterranean landscapes but also witnessed the challenges of water scarcity firsthand. My grandmother often shared stories of her childhood, where fetching water was a daily chore, a reality that shaped her life and the lives of many women in her community.

These experiences made me realised the value and privilege to have access to clean, accessible water and the transformative impact it can have on communities. I am very excited to join Walk for Water as a Water Leader. It’s an opportunity to honor my grandmother’s stories, raise awareness, and take action to support communities that still have to walk kms for their water."

Chris Yeats is the Director of Dunnottar Consulting Services and Commercial Manager at Pyrocal. He has had a long association with the commercialisation of Carbonisation technology in Australia, one of his passions. 

Here is what Chris said when asked why he supports Walk for Water and joined on as a Water Leader.

"It is unacceptable that in 2025 we still have people around the world with inadequate access to safe and clean water. Having to fetch water is often a matter of gender inequity, as young girls and women get left with the job of getting water. It is a locak of access to what should be a basic entitlement.

In simple terms, that's why I'm walking for water and encouraging others to do the same and, most importantly, to donate money to make a difference to this plight.

Come on everyone - it's long overdue that we change this situation for good. How would you feel having the water off for a day, let a lone being in this endless cycle? Time for hands in pockets, people - let's seriously break some fundraising records together for Walk for Water 2025."

David joined SA Water in 2019 as our Chief Executive, leading one of Australia’s largest integrated water utilities, serving more than 1.8 million customers across urban, regional and remote areas.

David is a dynamic water industry leader, known for shaping contemporary organisational culture to deliver water services oriented around the continual improvement of customer experience.

By championing key values fostered through his background in regional Australia, such as sustainability, diversity and customer-centricity, David works to ensure water services help build and enhance communities and enable economic development.

Prior to joining SA Water, David was Managing Director of Melbourne’s City West Water, and held executive roles at bulk water company Melbourne Water in operations and capital delivery, waterway management and customer solutions.

Melissa Williams is the Executive General Manager of People, Culture and Safety with Seqwater. With a distinguished career spanning 20 years, Melissa has successfully led a range of multi-disciplinary portfolios across a diverse range of industries in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Melissa is passionately committed to driving transformative change and ensuring that organizations are equipped to meet the challenges of both today and tomorrow.

Beyond her professional achievements, Melissa is a dedicated advocate for global water security. She actively supports the Walk for Water initiative and has joined WaterAid as a Water Leader. Her involvement is driven by a deep understanding that both water and walking are essential but often underappreciated.

While Australia enjoys the privilege of safe and reliable drinking water, Melissa recognizes that billions around the world do not share this basic necessity. Her commitment to WaterAid reflects her belief in equitable access to safe water for all.

Melissa's commitment to the Walk for Water initiative is also deeply personal. Having endured a serious car accident that temporarily impaired her ability to walk, she has firsthand experience of the challenges faced by those with mobility issues. This experience has reinforced her conviction that like water the ability to walk unassisted is also a gift not to be taken for granted.

As GM of Strategy and Stakeholder at South East Water, Karen Lau leads a portfolio that encompasses strategy, regulation, water resources, marketing, communications and engagement. She’s an experienced water industry professional who’s passionate about the vital role of water and sanitation in thriving, healthy and prosperous communities.

Karen’s career spans senior executive leadership roles across the Victorian Public Sector, including as Executive Director at the Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action and at the Victorian Public Sector Commission. Karen has led strategic initiatives in water and land management, waste and recycling, biodiversity, environment protection and climate action, as well as policy and projects at the Department of Human Services. 

Here is what Karen said when asked why she supports Walk for Water and joined on as a Water Leader.

"South East Water understands the impact of partnership in helping our neighbours to access clean water and sanitation and it’s why we’re proud to again join Walk for Water.

Our employees look forward to Walk for Water each year. They see the role it plays in bringing focus and meaning to our purpose of healthy water for life and in helping Water Aid Australia to enable this beyond our borders.

They also see the role it plays in connecting them to each other through Walk for Water activities and a shared passion for thriving, more empowered communities with equitable access to water and sanitation."

Denisha has been in the water industry for over a decade and has held several senior leadership and executive roles across a range of portfolios at Sydney Water, including Customer Experience, Governance & Assurance, People & Culture and Legal & Corporate Secretariat. In April 2024, Denisha was appointed as Executive General Manager, Customer Experience. In this role, Denisha leads a team of over 1,000 people and is accountable for the entire customer value chain – everything from, customer accounts, metering and billing, laboratory services, the contact centre, customer communications, innovative customer programs, right through to resolving network faults and complaints.

Denisha is passionate about the water industry and water’s role in improving the lives of the customers and communities it serves. Denisha has extended this commitment through her involvement with WaterAid since 2018, first as an Executive sponsor of one of Sydney Water’s Winnovators teams, then as a NSW Gala Ball Ambassador, before being appointed as a Non-Executive Director of WaterAid Australia in October 2022.

Denisha has been involved with Walk for Water for three years and is a passionate advocate of improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene for everyone everywhere around the world.

"At Sydney Water, everything we do is about creating a better life for our customers through world-class water services. However, across the world, there is a water and sanitation crisis that keeps hundreds of millions of children out of school, adults out of work and traps people trapped in poverty. If we solve this crisis, we can provide these communities with hope and the power to change their future. Walking, riding or cycling each day for one week as part of WaterAid’s Walk for Walk initiative represents the daily reality endured by millions around the world to access their closest water source. It’s something tangible and healthy we can do to raise much needed funds for underprivileged communities.

For less than $10,000, we can give school students in Papua New Guinea access to clean water and handwashing facilities by installing a rainwater tank and tap stands at a school. For $50,000, we can help a whole village access a sustainable clean water system. These are life-changing projects for entire communities. Together, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live healthy and dignified lives."

As CEO of Unitywater, Anna Jackson is focused on delivering the sustainable water services that enable around 900,000 people across the Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay areas to be part of a healthy and thriving community.

The Unitywater team operate and maintain $4 billion of water, wastewater and recycled water assets to reliably provide the essential services valued by customers of today, while delivering a $2.5 billion of capital program over the next five years to support the fastest growing region in Australia.

Anna leads Unitywater through an era of its people and partners being defined as an organisation which adds economic, social and environmental value through its actions with customers, future customers and communities.

Anna has been working in the Australian water industry since 2017 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Unitywater in 2022. She is active in national industry leadership on the Board of the Water Services Association of Australia and as an adviser on the Australian Water Partnership Steering Committee.

Anna's professional background is diverse and includes roles in Australia and internationally for Coffey Tetra Tech International Development, and for aerospace and technology company Raytheon.

Here is what Anna said when asked why she supports Walk for Water and joined as a Water Leader.

"Women and children in developing countries across the world are still walking for water in place of going to school or working, locking them into a cycle of poverty ongoing.

Taking part in Walk for Water builds awareness of an important global issue, and by walking ourselves, we can help make a difference to those who need it most.

I became a Water Leader to shine a spotlight on the issue of clean water and sanitation for everyone, as the foundations of functioning societies."

Gillian Blythe is Chief Executive of Water New Zealand – the country’s largest water industry body with more than 3300 water sector professional and corporate members.

Prior to joining Water New Zealand in 2020, Gillian’s career was focused on the electricity sector.

Originally from the UK, Gillian studied at the University College London where she attained a bachelors degree in economics, followed by a Masters in environmental economics which considered the ‘marginal cost of carbon constraints”. Gillian worked as an economic consultant focusing on the electricity markets often with an environmental lens, as well as major energy reforms in the Former Soviet Union. She then came to Aotearoa New Zealand in the mid 1990s to work on electricity reform, and then in senior roles at the country’s biggest electricity generator retailer, Meridian Energy.

But it was an easy transition to water and the opportunities to be part of a water community making a difference in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is an exciting time to be working in water and to be focused on valuing and looking after this precious resource, or taonga (treasure), as wai (water) is often referred to Aotearoa.

For Gillian, joining WaterAid Australia is a natural progression, 

"Water issues are global issues and there are huge challenges facing the entire planet and many communities locked out of opportunities because of lack of access to basic necessities such as safe drinking water and sanitation. As a water leader, I'm motivated to support any efforts to increase access to water for deprived people across the world and to improve quality of life. Walking for water is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved.

In a personal connection to water, one of my favourite leisure activities is walking or running around Wellington’s magnificent harbour."

Dean Barnett is working for the Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA), where they support the operations sector of the water industry nationally.

Here is what Dean said when asked why he supports Walk for Water and joined as a Water Leader.

"I guess the water industry for me has a community service approach, and feels like family to me, which is why I am still involved after 30+ years.

In my opinion, you don’t need a title to be a leader, and Walk for Water gives us all the opportunity to lead the charge to stretch our legs, get some fresh air, while raising funds to support those that do not have the opportunity to just turn on the tap at home for their water."

Brian Krishna is Managing Director Xylem Australia & New Zealand, with twenty-five years of experience in the water sector working and living on Australia's east and west coast. Brian holds an MBA leading an executive team passionate about solving water challenges. Brian is a genuine person in the workplace and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to accomplish their goals and have fun doing it. Brian is inspired daily by the challenge of solving our water issues, bringing education and technology to many communities. He is also very passionate about attracting youth into the water sector, becoming the heroes of the future. Being authentic drives and motivates Brian. Married with three children, he enjoys beach holidays, bush walks and family fun together.

Here is what Brian said when asked why he supports Walk for Water and joined on as a Water Leader.

"Xylem’s vision is that water is essential to life. And our life’s work is water. We devote our technology, time and talent to advance the smarter use of water. We look to a future where global water issues do not exist. We hope that by joining the Walk for Water we can bring more awareness to the challenges faced around the globe.

I am proud to be a Water Leader as I am inspired daily by the challenge of solving our water challenges, and am passionate about bringing education and technology to many communities."

Nat is the Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water, one of Australia’s largest water utilities, providing water and sanitation services to 2M people across Melbourne. With over two decades of experience, Nat brings purpose-led leadership across finance, infrastructure, sustainability, and community impact - driving meaningful outcomes for both people and the planet.

Here is what Nat said when asked why she supports Walk for Water and joined on as a Water Leader.

"I'm proud to be joining Walk for Water as a Water Leader. As a water utility, we play a fundamental role in raising awareness of the importance of water as a UN Human Right to safe, affordable, and reliable water and sanitation - and recognise its significance to health, wellbeing, livelihoods, and connection to Country. However, we know that many communities around the world still lack this basic right. This campaign is a powerful reminder that access to clean water shouldn't depend on where you live. By walking together, we can raise awareness and take meaningful action to create lasting change."