Convening what it believes is a first-of-its-kind freshwater startup accelerator,The Water Council has to connect competing interests and personalities — entrepreneurs, academics, businesspeople and more.
That’s where Elizabeth Thelen comes in. “She really brought a strong skill of bringing people together,” said Dean Amhaus, Water Council president. Thelen’s formal title is director of entrepreneurship and talent. Her formal role is overseeing the “BREW” accelerator program, now entering its third year. Informally, Thelen is the “BREWMaster,” whose varied tasks include international outreach, accelerator architect and Global Water Center evangelist.