Connecting Young Water Professionals: Australia, Canada & the United States

Join IWA Australia (IWAA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) for a collaborative webinar connecting young water professionals across Australia, Canada and the United States. This international collaboration offers members an opportunity to exchange experiences, build connections and explore how water sectors approach shared challenges.

This webinar will explore the similarities and differences across water sectors and regions, including career pathways, current challenges for young professionals, governance, utility pricing, and the issues shaping the future of water.

Panelists will share their own experiences working in the sector, discuss the projects and challenges affecting their regions, and reflect on why they chose a career in water. The session will also create space for audience questions and cross-regional conversation.

This webinar is exclusively for AWA and AWWA members. For any questions, please contact Natasha Sharrock.

Speakers

	Whitney Zirkle, Senior Principal Engineer at Hazen and Sawyer Alabama, USA   Whitney is a member of the AWWA YPC and a consulting engineer specializing in municipal water and wastewater. Her experience includes treatment process design, hydraulic analysis and infrastructure planning, with a focus on helping utilities address complex water and wastewater challenges.
	Phillip Meng, Principal Data Science and Water Corporation Perth, Australia   Phillip Meng is a principal data scientist at Water Corporation (Western Australia), where he’s been working on a wide array of interesting problems related to data, algorithms and optimisation since 2018, discovering interesting opportunities in the water industry. He is a member of the Young Professionals Committee for IWA Australia.
	Tim D'Agostino, P.E., ENV SP, Project Manager at P.W. Grosser Consulting New York, USA   Tim D’Agostino, P.E., ENV SP, is an engineering project manager at P.W. Grosser Consulting (PWGC). He is experienced in the design and construction of water wells, treatment systems, and storage and distribution systems. Tim also serves on the American Water Works Association Young Professional Committee (YPC) and Student Outreach Subcommittee.
	Annabel Biddulph, Water engineer at Arup Sydney, Australia   Annabel is a Water Engineer at Arup, based in Sydney, Australia. She works across a broad range of projects focused on strategic water and wastewater infrastructure planning for major water utilities, developments and industry. Annabel is passionate about developing sustainable and resilient water systems that support growing communities and new industries, while ensuring that water security and climate adaptation remain a priority.
	Gluzen Ramos, Team Lead, Water and Wastewater Operations at The Regional Municipality of York Ontario, Canada   Gluzen is a member of the AWWA Young Professionals Committee as Chair of Association Outreach, International Council and a Team Lead for Remote Operations in Ontario. Previously serving as an AWWA Young Professional Advisor, she has been actively involved in advancing engagement and leadership development across the water sector. Her experience includes utility operations, team leadership, and fostering connections that support the next generation of water professionals.

Event Details

Date	Friday 16 October 2026
Time	10.00am - 11.00am AEDT
Venue	Webinar - Online
Registration	This webinar is free for AWA and AWWA members. Please register below.

IWA Australia (IWAA) is a branch committee of The Australian Water Association and aims to connect the Australian water industry with the activities of the International Water Association (IWA). IWA is a non-profit organisation and knowledge hub for the global water sector that seeks to connect water professionals worldwide to find solutions to the world's water challenges.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international, non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing safe and sustainable water. Founded in 1881, AWWA is the world’s largest association of water supply professionals, connecting more than 50,000 members across utilities, government, academia and industry. AWWA supports the global water sector through technical standards, education, knowledge sharing and professional collaboration, with a focus on protecting public health and creating a better world through better water. 

For more information please contact: 
Natasha Sharrock - Member Engagement Manager
Phone: +61 2 9467 8423  | Email: nsharrock@awa.asn.au