Hosted by Sciens Water in collaboration with Columbia University's Water Center, the 5th annual Rethinking Water Conference is the key water conference during New York climate week.
The aim: to bring together finance, academia, government, and industry leader to find solutions to the most pressing water challenges in the United States.
From c-suite executives and environmental stewards to government organizations, industry leaders, and academic professionals, our conference is a hub of expertise and innovation. With a focus on aging infrastructure and evolving regulations, we will explore how funding can be effectively applied to achieve sustainable solutions. We'll discuss implementable strategies such as water recycling/reuse, consolidation, accelerating federal funding, leveraging private investment, and more. Engage in targeted breakouts, providing valuable opportunities to connect and share perspectives with fellow participants.
Don't miss this chance to be part of the solution to the U.S. water crisis. Join us at the Rethinking Water Conference 2024 and make a difference!
The aim: to bring together finance, academia, government, and industry leader to find solutions to the most pressing water challenges in the United States.
From c-suite executives and environmental stewards to government organizations, industry leaders, and academic professionals, our conference is a hub of expertise and innovation. With a focus on aging infrastructure and evolving regulations, we will explore how funding can be effectively applied to achieve sustainable solutions. We'll discuss implementable strategies such as water recycling/reuse, consolidation, accelerating federal funding, leveraging private investment, and more. Engage in targeted breakouts, providing valuable opportunities to connect and share perspectives with fellow participants.
Don't miss this chance to be part of the solution to the U.S. water crisis. Join us at the Rethinking Water Conference 2024 and make a difference!
Location
The Forum, Columbia University
601 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
601 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
Date & Time
September 24, 2024, 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
HOSTS
AGENDA
Main Stage Programming
9:00 AM
A WELCOME FROM COLUMBIA and sciens water
Join us as Professor Lall and Alexander Loucopoulos introduce the exciting events prepared for the day!
9:40 AM
Water: An Investor Perspective
JOHN RIGAS- CEO, SCIENS CAPITAL
In this talk, we will delve into the key trends, challenges, and opportunities that have shaped the financial markets over the past year. Our expert speaker, a seasoned investor with years of experience navigating the complexities of the global economy, will provide an in-depth analysis of market performance, investment strategies, and the impact of macroeconomic factors.
10:00 AM
What's the Problem: Climate or Infrastructure?
ALI ZAIDI- WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL CLIMATE ADVISOR
TOM ROONEY- OPERATING PARTNER, SCIENS CAPITAL
TOM ROONEY- OPERATING PARTNER, SCIENS CAPITAL
Updates to water infrastructure do not occur in a void. It is necessary to have cross sector collaboration whether for funding, political support, labor, or simply ideas. This panel will address climate change impact, infrastructure challenges, interconnected issues, sustainable solutions and innovations.
11:00 AM
A VIEW FROM THE TOP - A CEO PERSPECTIVE
DAMIAN GEORGINO- PARTNER, WOMBLE BOND DICKSON LP
KEN BOCKHORST- CEO, BADGER METER
JOSIAH COX- PRESIDENT, CSWR
HARRY SACHINIS- CEO, EYDAP
TERRY PAULE- CEO, BOTANICAL WATER TECHNOLOGIES
KEN BOCKHORST- CEO, BADGER METER
JOSIAH COX- PRESIDENT, CSWR
HARRY SACHINIS- CEO, EYDAP
TERRY PAULE- CEO, BOTANICAL WATER TECHNOLOGIES
This talk will provide the opportunity to listen to a top executive about the challenges in managing and steering a major corporation through the complexities of water-related challenges. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on how businesses can contribute to sustainable water solutions.
1:00 PM
BIPARTISAN DEBATE BETWEEN CIVIC LEADERS
ROBERT POWELSON- PRESIDENT, NATIONAL WATER ASSOCIATION OF WATER
SCOTT RUPP- FORMER COMMISSIONER MISSOURI PSC
DE'KEITHER STAMPS- MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ERIC SKRMETTA-LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER
MAE STEVENS- CEO, AMERICAN BUSINESS WATER COALITION
SCOTT RUPP- FORMER COMMISSIONER MISSOURI PSC
DE'KEITHER STAMPS- MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ERIC SKRMETTA-LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER
MAE STEVENS- CEO, AMERICAN BUSINESS WATER COALITION
This talk will feature a panel of civic leaders from across the political spectrum, engaging in a spirited conversation about the essential measures needed to support a successful water transition at both local and government levels. We will bring together government officials to discuss the legislative actions that are necessary to address water management challenges, including water rights, infrastructure funding, and environmental regulations.
2:00 PM
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES: WATER RESILIENCE
DR. UPMANU LALL- DIRECTOR, COLUMBIA WATER CENTER
JOHN MATTHEWS- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL WATER ADAPTATION
VEENA SRINIVASAN- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WELL LABS
ROCHI KHEMKA- SR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, WORLD BANK
JOHN MATTHEWS- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL WATER ADAPTATION
VEENA SRINIVASAN- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WELL LABS
ROCHI KHEMKA- SR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, WORLD BANK
This session, presented by the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, will provide comprehensive insights into the complexities of water management in India, a region characterized by diverse climates, rapid population growth, and high water stress. Panelists will discuss the unique water challenges of the country and how existing and emerging solutions for sustainable water management can help build resilience in India and beyond. This conversation is the third annual Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action series on Climate Sustainability in South and East Asia in honor of V. Ramanathan.
4:15 PM
WATER AND FOOD SECURITY
SETH SEIGEL- WATER ACTIVIST, AUTHOR
NATHAN HALVERSON- INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST
JESSIE FANZO- PROFESSOR, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
NATHAN HALVERSON- INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST
JESSIE FANZO- PROFESSOR, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Water plays an essential role in ensuring global food security. This panel will discuss how water can be used more efficiently in the agriculture industry, how sustainable practices can optimize water use, and what actionable strategies can be implemented to address one of the most pressing global issues of our time.
Esteemed Guests & Panelists
Featured here are just some of the professionals featured at our conference. We have been intentional to invite speakers from across the water space: academics, operators, industry professionals, financiers, investors, government officials, non-profit representatives and media correspondents.
Dr. Upmanu Lall
FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE COLUMBIA WATER CENTER
Ali Zaidi
WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL CLIMATE ADVISOR
John Rigas
CEO, SCIENS WATER
Errick Simmons
MAYOR OF GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI
Jessica Fanzo
PROFESSOR AT COLUMBIA CLIMATE WATER CENTER
Terry Paule
CEO, BOTANICAL WATER TECHNOLOGIES
Latoya Cantrell
MAYOR OF NEW ORLEANS
Seth Siegel
BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF TROUBLED WATER AND LET THERE BE WATER
Rit Aggarwala
NYC DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Jo Anna McMahon
VICE PRESIDENT OF CSWR
Reese Tisdale
CEO, BLUEFIELD RESEARCH
Ken Bockhorst
CEO, BADGER METER
Josiah Cox
PRESIDENT OF CSWR
Damian Georgino
PARTNER AT WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON
Milin Patel
WATER SOMMELIER, WATER CONSULTANT AND PODCASTER
Austin Alexander
VICE PRESIDENT OF XYLEM
Antoine Walter
HOST OF THE "DON'T WASTE WATER" PODCAST
Alexander Loucopoulos
PARTNER, SCIENS WATER
Nathan Halverson
INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST
Brendan Tierney
RAYMOND JAMES
Mitch Reynolds
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LA CROSS
Harry Sachinis
CEO, EYDAP
Mae Stevens
CEO, AMERICAN BUSINESS WATER COALITION
Tom Rooney
OPERATING PARTNER, SCIENS WATER
Cheryl Waites
COS AT CSWR
Travis Loop
HOST OF THE WATER LOOP PODCAST
Alex Buehler
PRESIDENT & CEO OF INTEGRATED WATER SERVICES
Robert Oyenarte
CEO, CROM
Maria Gotsch
CEO AT PARTNERSHIPT FUND FOR NYC
Terry Mah
PARTNER AT THALES
De'Keither Stamps
MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Aoife Kelleher
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT BLUETECH RESEARCH
Scott T. Rupp
FORMER COMMISSIONER OF MISSOURI PSC
Amanda Staudt
SENIOR DIRECTOR AT THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES*
Gard Little
VP AT IDC RESEARCH INC
Tom Freyberg
FOUNDER AND MD OF ATLANTEAN MEDIA
Buzz Thompson
PROFESSOR, STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Colin Wellenkamp
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MRCTI
Paulina C. Larrauri
Water Program Manager, Microsoft
Tom Ferguson
PARTNER AT BURNT ISLAND VENTURES
Matt Diserio
PRESIDENT, WATER ASSET MANAGEMENT
Scott Bryan
PRESIDENT, IMAGINE H2O
Kim Nelson
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF TRUE ELEMENTS
Eric Skrmetta
LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER
Matt Stuyvenberg
VICE PRESIDENT OF SOFTWARE AND WATER QUALITY AT BADGER METER
Cal Junior
CEO OF Ô AMAZON AIR WATER CO.
David Rose
PARTNER, THALES WATER ADVISORS
*National Academies of the Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Career Fair
Please see the below links for career fair sign-up for employers and for Columbia students.
A LOOKBACK AT 2023
The 2023 iteration of the Rethinking Water Conference brought together more than 500 participants both in-person and virtually to discuss key challenges and opportunities for collaboration in the water space. We're building on those conversations to further solutions in 2024, and looking to make the water crisis as solvable as a Rubik's cube.
Join the conversation and be part of the solution.
Join the conversation and be part of the solution.
HOSTS
Together, Sciens and Columbia have put the
Rethinking Water Conference on for four consecutive years.
Rethinking Water Conference on for four consecutive years.
2024 SPONSORS
Join us on September 24, 2024
We look forward to hosting you!