Resilience in Freshwater
Join us October 13-14 in Milwaukee!
ReFRESH is not a typical water conference.
It is a curated innovation forum for leaders who are ready to refresh how progress happens in water.
The challenges are not new – aging infrastructure, funding gaps, workforce shortages, pollution, climate pressure. But they do require new ways of thinking, breaking down silos to solve long-standing problems.
ReFRESH brings together decision-makers across the public, private and academic sectors to explore radical collaboration, honest conversations and a commitment to action.
AGENDA
Tuesday, October 13
12:30 p.m.
Registration begins
1:30 p.m.
Welcome & introductions
1:45 p.m.
Uncharted Waters: Radical Collaboration Across the Sector
Executives from leading water associations share their perspectives on water's most stubborn challenges, barriers to collaboration and how we can bridge the gap.Â
Featuring:
- John Ikeda, Chief Mission Officer, Water Environment FederationÂ
- David LaFrance, CEO, American Water Works AssociationÂ
- Pauli Undesser, CEO, Water Quality AssociationÂ
3 p.m.
A Capitalist, Hippie & Bureaucrat Walk into a Bar
What does it take for private industry, utilities and environmental advocates to radically collaborate? We'll talk to the leaders behind innovative public-private projects, including:
- Dredging centuries' worth of contaminants from the Milwaukee Estuary with Jennifer Bolger Breceda of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Kevin Shafer of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and Karen Dettmer of Ramboll
- Using bubbles to clean up plastic pollution in Lansing, Mich., with Philip Ehrhorn of The Great Bubble Barrier, Erik Petrovskis of Meijer and Brendan Cousino of LimnoTech
- Turning excess office space into a hydroponics farm to grow produce for families in need with Vicky Bruce of Rockwell Automation and Michael Hostad of Fork Farms
4:15 p.m.
From the Edge
We've gathered three leaders at the forefront of water innovation to share their stories:
- Using AI to simplify the bidding process with Zeki Oral of Wilo and Julianna Javor of the Microsoft Co-Innovation Lab
- Maximizing wastewater treatment with minimal space in the age of climate change with Dr. Joh Kang of Tomorrow Water
- A new way to close the skills gap and empower the next generation in water and wastewater with Andrew Hollis of Slater Infrastructure Group
Plus, hear some mini-case studies from a variety of water tech innovators.
5:30 p.m.
Reception begins
Enjoy appetizers, drinks and a beautiful view of Lake Michigan at dusk from Discovery World's Pilot House.
7 p.m.
Reception ends
Wednesday, October 14
8 a.m.
Breakfast begins
8:45 a.m.
Program begins
9 a.m.
Going in Circles
Join the water circularity conversation! This panel will highlight the latest in the circular water economy, led by Maile Lono-Batura, director of renewable resources for the California Association of Sanitation Agencies, and special guest Emma Grace Miller, senior director of sustainability and social impact at Xylem. We're switching things up in this segment, with audience members invited to jump on stage and join the discussion.
10:45 a.m.
The Cost of Risk
Examine the changing water landscape, the growing financial impacts of water-related threats and the opportunities for strategic water stewardship. We’ll also explore current tools, available resources and emerging initiatives designed to provide a more comprehensive view of water-related exposures.
Featuring:
- Lauren Enright, Program Manager for Water Services, SCS Global Services
- Hannalena Ivarsson, Senior Partner & Head of Sustainability, KreabÂ
- Lora Shrake, Chief Operating Officer, Council of the Great Lakes Region
11:45 a.m.
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Artificial Intelligence X Real Water
We’ll look at how AI is moving from hype to reality in the water sector, with real-world examples from utilities and businesses. Hear from experts discussing what guardrails need to be in place, which water utilities are using AI successfully, and how and what we can learn from their experiences.
Featuring:
- Andy Bochman, Resilience Strategic Lead, West Yost
- Gigi Karmous-Edwards, President & CEO, Karmous Edwards Consulting
1:30 p.m.
Closing Thoughts
2 p.m.
Summit ends
Thank you to our supporting sponsors!
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Arcadis, BDPros, Ecolab, Fresh Coast Climate Solutions, Fund for Lake Michigan, KPMG,
Milorganite, Ramboll, SCS Global Services, Sloan, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater