Speaker in 32nd WaterVent Edition in San Francisco
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Aaron Tartakovsky
Co-Founder and CEO of Epic Cleantec, a leading water technology company improving the built environment with innovative water reuse systems
Before his career in sustainability, Aaron worked in federal politics and remains actively involved in shaping public policy at the local, state, and national levels. A recognized expert in urban water management, Aaron speaks frequently at universities and industry gatherings worldwide and was named a 2023 World Economic Forum Top Innovator at the annual meeting in Davos.
Under his leadership, Epic Cleantec has received numerous accolades, including recognition in Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Awards, Inc.'s Best in Business, and TIME's Best Inventions of the Year for two consecutive years.
Allison C. Schutte
Partner specializing in municipal law, with extensive expertise in public water systems, solid waste management, and infrastructure projects.
Her work encompasses public water supply, complex long-term rate and revenue sharing agreements, Joint Power Agreements, infrastructure and project delivery analysis, public contracting, solid waste management, rate structure, Proposition 218 compliance, issuer's counsel, disclosure matters, legislative drafting and open government and ethics.
Allison has special knowledge in representing water districts, cities and private water users in implementing multi-party recycled water projects. These engagements include negotiating the effluent delivery, customer agreements, financing, design, construction and operation of the projects. She has developed special skillfulness in implementing a variety of infrastructure projects with public owners and long-term private operators. She continues to serve as special counsel to cities, special districts and private entities for all matters related to public water systems.
Allison also has significant experience with resource recovery and waste reduction projects and solid waste franchise agreements. She serves as special counsel to cities that own their own materials recovery and compositing facilities and special districts and cities that contract out for collection, composting and disposal services. She has extensive experience in advising on compliance with California's new organics recycling and food recovery law and development of related processing infrastructure.
Allison leads the firm's Government Section and is past chair of the firm's pro bono committee.
Bryan Stubbs
President and Executive Director of the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA)
As President and Executive Director of the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), Stubbs has cultivated one of North America's premier water innovation hubs. Under his leadership, CWA has secured over $15 million for its advanced Water Accelerator Testbeds, significantly contributing to job creation in the greater Cleveland water economy, outpacing other industries.
Stubbs oversees the annual deployment and trialing of approximately 20 technologies, with participating firms raising over $70 million USD over the past three years. He's also the Managing Partner of the Freshwater Innovation Fund, a new $25 million investment fund being established by CWA, and serves on the leadership committee of the NSF-funded Innovation Engine ReNEW. Bryan holds a BA from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago. A former entrepreneur, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cycling, and exploring new bourbons.
Charlie Walker
Head of Water Technology Coverage.
Charlie has spent over ten years researching the global water industry. He currently leads the water technology coverage at Global Water Intelligence, a publisher of global water industry analysis. Working across GWI’s editorial and data offerings, Charlie covers treatment and digital technologies impacting the water sector.
Daniel Benítez
Vice President & General Manager, Innovation & New Ventures – Veralto, Water Quality Segment
Daniel leads early-stage innovation and minority investment strategy for Veralto’s $3B Water Quality platform. With over two decades of experience in water technology, process analytics, and industrial instrumentation, he has held senior roles spanning product development, partnerships, and strategic growth.
He brings a pragmatic lens to corporate innovation—focused on solving real customer problems, building scalable innovation ecosystems, and integrating emerging technologies through venture investments and strategic collaborations.
Daniel holds a Chemical Engineering degree from ITBA (Argentina) and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.
David Balsar
GM Innovation and Ventures @ Mekorot National Water Company
David Manages Mekorot’s CVC investing in water related technologies. Its portfolio preforms above market benchmark. David has an extensive investment and business background that help turn Mekorot into a trailblazer in water innovation. A lawyer and economist with a MBA from Insead and MA in Philosophy. A father of three boys. Ex professional athlete.
Denys Visser
Global Director of Research and Solutions & Product Development at Johnson Screens.
With a BEng in Mechatronic Engineering and extensive international experience across engineering design, manufacturing optimization, and strategic innovation in the Oil and Gas, Wastewater and mining markets, Denys leads global R&D initiatives, drives product innovation, and manages intellectual property and patent processes to ensure continued market leadership in screening technologies.
Dr. Harshita Gogoi
Lead Technology Scout for Xylem Innovation Labs at Xylem
Dr. Harshita Gogoi, is passionate about connecting breakthrough innovations with real-world water challenges. She has over 9 years of global experience at the intersection of water innovation, applied research, and technology commercialization. As Lead Technology Scout for Xylem Innovation Labs at Xylem, she leads the evaluation of hundreds of emerging startups annually to identify scalable solutions driving innovation across municipal and industrial water sectors. Dr. Gogoi holds a doctorate in Environmental Engineering from the University of Oulu, Finland, and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on novel bio-based solutions for industrial wastewater treatment. Her expertise includes advanced treatment solutions, process design, technology evaluation, techno-economic analysis, and scaling innovations that bridge applied research with commercial impact.
At the 32nd WaterVent Program, she looks forward to fostering new partnerships that help accelerate scalable, impactful solutions in the global water space.
Dr. Nathan Barasa Wangusi
Water scientist and the CEO of BlueCredit, a platform advancing water sustainability credit certification and trading
Dr. Nathan Barasa Wangusi is a Water scientist and the CEO of BlueCredit, a platform advancing water sustainability credit certification and trading. He previously served as Water Sustainability Program Manager at Amazon Web Services and Technical Lead for Water at IBM Research.
His background includes engineering roles in drainage design, hydraulic modeling, and flood analysis. He brings deep expertise in hydrology, ESG water strategy, and climate resilience.
Greg Newbloom
Founder and CEO of Membrion
Greg Newbloom is the founder and CEO of Membrion, an industrial wastewater treatment company focused on solving challenges surrounding the capacity, reliability, and compliance of facilities that generate harsh and challenging wastewater.
Greg has raised > $35M from notable investors like Samsung and Lam Research to deploy Membrion’s unique wastewater treatment technology. Greg’s leadership and innovations have been recognized with awards from Time Magazine, the World Economic Forum, Global Water Intelligence, BlueTech Research, and others. Greg has more than 60 patents and holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington.
Günter Mösslein
CEO and President of the Mösslein Water Technology Group
Günter Mösslein has been an independent water hygiene and drinking water treatment entrepreneur for 35 years. CEO and President of the Mösslein Water Technology Group, headquartered in Germany and employing worldwide over 300 people. He specializes in solutions for clean and clear water – from plant engineering and filter technology to chemical products for water treatment.
He is also on the advisory board of the Bavarian Environmental Cluster, the DVGW Lower Main District Group, and other drinking water-related institutions.
James W. Adducci
Managing Director Janney Montgomery Scott
- 25 years as an Investment Bankier with 17 years experience in the Infrastructure space with a focus and expertise in the water / wastewater and related sectors
- Currently active in buy-side, sell-side, capital formation and general advisory transactions for clients
- Advised on more than 100 transactions with a total deal value in excess of $3.0 billion
- Recently completed the sale of C&B Piping to ACIPCO and SIGMA to Wind Point Partners
- Active member in AWWA, WWEMA and WEF
- Prior experience at Boenning & Scattergood, and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein
- B.A., Economics, Carleton College
Jim Lauria
Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Mazzei Injector Company
Jim Lauria is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Mazzei Injector Company, a fluid design company that manufactures mixing and contacting systems for a wide range of water treatment applications. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Manhattan College, he has traveled the world benchmarking and documenting the best global water management practices. Jim is the incoming president of the Internation Ozone Association’s Pan American Group (IOA-PAG) and can be contacted at jlauria@mazzei.net
Jonathan S. Storper
Jonathan Storper, Partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP | Corporate Transactions & Sustainable Business
Jonathan is a seasoned corporate transactions attorney and Partner at Hanson Bridgett LLP, where he has led both the Corporate, Securities & Tax Department and the Sustainable Business Practice Group. With a distinguished track record advising boards and executive teams, Jonathan brings deep expertise in governance, strategic growth, and mission-aligned business models.
He has served on multiple Boards of Directors and was honored as a California Attorney of the Year for his pioneering leadership in drafting and championing California’s benefit corporation legislation—the first legal framework in the U.S. to embed social and environmental accountability into corporate governance. This legislation has since been adopted in 36 states and several countries.
Jonathan advises both for-profit and nonprofit organizations on corporate and other strategic transactions, governance, fiduciary duties, and intellectual property matters. His practice spans entity formation, financing, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts and licensing, e-commerce, and technology law, and other business related work. He is also a recognized California Super Lawyer and a trusted advisor to directors and trustees navigating complex legal and strategic decisions.
A passionate advocate for a more just and sustainable economy, Jonathan chaired the legal working group that developed California’s benefit corporation law and helped position Hanson Bridgett LLP as the first law firm to become a certified B Corporation. Under his leadership, the firm earned the Real Leaders Top 100 Impact Companies Award, and Jonathan has been repeatedly named to the MO 100 Top Impact CEO list.
Kobe Nagar
Co-founder and CEO of 7Environmental Inc. (7E)
My career has focused on successfully scaling and bringing groundbreaking technologies to market, including Geothermal Energy, Fuel Cells, Green Cement, and Supercritical Water.
Currently, I am the co-founder and CEO of 7Environmental Inc. (7E), a leading generative compliance solution that makes businesses more effective by connecting regulatory frameworks to data. I am also the founder of two socially-driven, cleantech enterprises committed to environmental sustainability: 374Water Inc. (Nasdaq: $SCWO) and 1Watermark Inc.
At 374Water Inc., we have pioneered a transformative process converting wet waste into valuable resources while eliminating pollutants like ‘forever chemicals,’ thereby connecting the critical links between Water, Waste, Energy, and Food.
1Watermark Inc. is dedicated to establishing robust water standards for consumer products (especially Food, Beverage, and Cosmetics), promoting greater awareness and stewardship of our water resources – effectively a "kosher stamp for water."
Beyond my professional endeavors, I find joy in family life, the thrill of basketball, the pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee, and the vital mission of keeping our drinking water clean.
Natalie N. Wilson
Partner advising emerging companies on their full life cycle, from corporate formation to exit. She also counsels venture capital and private equity funds on formation and investments.
Natalie advises emerging companies throughout their life cycle, from formation to exit. She counsels private companies on matters including corporate formation, debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, general corporate governance, and securities law matters. She also advises venture capital and private equity funds on matters related to their formation and portfolio investments. Prior to joining Hanson Bridgett LLP, Natalie practiced at an international law firm in Palo Alto.
Paula Kehoe
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Director of Water Resources with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and is responsible for diversifying San Francisco’s water supply portfolio though the implementation of water conservation, groundwater, recycled water, onsite water reuse and innovation programs.
Paula Kehoe has over 30 years of experience working on urban environmental initiatives, including water pollution prevention, solid waste management, and water and wastewater management for the City and County of San Francisco.
Currently, she serves as the Director of Water Resources with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and is responsible for diversifying San Francisco’s water supply portfolio though the implementation of water conservation, groundwater, recycled water, onsite water reuse and innovation programs. Paula guided San Francisco’s landmark legislation allowing for the collection, treatment, and reuse of alternate water sources within buildings and districts. Paula leads SFPUC’s OneWaterSF Program which has cultivated a shift to integrate approaches to water, wastewater, and power management. Paula Chairs the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Water Systems (NBRC) and Building Infrastructure Locally for Decentralized Water Systems (BILD) and is a Board Member of the WateReuse Association.
Peter Yolles
Founder and General Partner of Echo River Capital
Peter Yolles is the Founder and General Partner of Echo River Capital, which invests globally in early stage water technology companies to Digitize, Decentralize and Decarbonize the water cycle. Echo River is a member of the ImpactAssets 50 emerging asset managers, and is a certified B-Corporation. Previously, Peter was the founder and CEO of WaterSmart Software (acquired by Vertex One). Peter earned his MBA and MES at Yale University, and BA at CU-Boulder. Peter is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Robert A. McFarlane
Partner and registered patent attorney, chairing the firm’s Technology and Intellectual Property practices. He specializes in litigation and client counseling on patent, trade secret, and technology-related matters.
Rob is a registered patent attorney who chairs the firm’s Technology practice and co-chairs its Intellectual Property practice. His litigation practice focuses on patent infringement and licensing disputes, trade secret misappropriation, technology-related commercial matters, and software performance disputes. He also counsels clients on a wide range of intellectual property matters relating to licensing negotiations, trademark and copyright, unfair competition, and trade secrets.
He has argued cases before the Federal Circuit and the California Courts of Appeals, and represents clients in courts throughout the United States, including leading patent litigation venues in the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, the Eastern District of Virginia, the Northern District of Illinois, the District of Delaware, and the Northern and Central Districts of California. He has been retained as an expert witness in U.S. patent law in a matter pending before the High Court of England and Wales, and is experienced in private arbitrations, inter partes review before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and infringement matters in the International Trade Commission (ITC).
Rob is a recognized thought leader in intellectual property law and is past-president of the San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association. He teaches patent law as an adjunct professor at the University of California College of the Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of the Law) and has taught patent litigation and intellectual property courses at Golden Gate University School of Law and copyright law in an LLM program offered at Santa Clara University School of Law.
Sally C. Gutierrez
Sally C. Gutierrez, Former Director of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development
Sally C. Gutierrez completed her service to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Office of Research and Development at the end of 2023 after almost 24 years of service. During her time at USEPA, she served as Senior Advisor for Water in the Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She also served as the Director of the Water Supply and Water Resources Division within the National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), Director of NRMRL, and Director of the Environmental Technology Innovation Cluster Development and Support Program.
She also served as the Acting Director of the Water Permits Division in the Office of Wastewater Management in Washington, DC where she was responsible for overseeing the national wastewater permitting program.
Before her retirement, she served as the Acting Director of the Groundwater and Ecosystems Restoration Division in Ada, Oklahoma. She is a hydrologist by training and education. Prior to her USEPA service, she was responsible for leading water and air pollution control programs for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission in Austin, Texas.
Ms. Gutierrez continues to serve the water industry both in the US and abroad.
Victoria Edwards
Victoria Edwards is a business leader, thought leader, and speaker who heads a pioneering software company
Victoria Edwards is one of those unique business leaders, combining artistic sensibilities with business acumen.
Who better than a former concert pianist who majored in music analysis to head a pioneering software company using acoustics and AI to revolutionize water loss management and pioneer new funding pathways to accelerate its adoption?
There could not be a more pressing time.
A charismatic thought leader and speaker on the power of disruptive technologies to drive positive social, climate and economic outcomes, Victoria is an active advocate of collaboration with a growing voice.
Working with Microsoft, she created a new model of commercial funding which is successfully accelerating technology adoption and building digital capacity in the global water sector.
She now plays a pivotal role in a growing number of partnerships linking utilities with forward-thinking corporations and other non-traditional stakeholders in stressed river basins around the shared goal of water replenishment.
Volkmar Kunerth
AI/IoT strategist and business development leader.
Volkmar Kunerth is an AI/IoT strategist and business development leader working with water utilities in the US to modernize asset management and digital operations. With 20+ years of experience across energy, industrial technology, and innovative infrastructure, he bridges technical depth with commercial execution—advising SaaS, AI, and IoT companies on go-to-market strategy and strategic positioning.
As Vice President of Business Development at Hydro-Comp Ltd, with its suite of EDAMS products, Volkmar collaborates with water utility executives to advance digital asset management and translate digital capabilities into better service, risk, and cost outcomes.
In addition to his MBA, Volkmar is currently completing a PhD in Economics (University of Gdańsk), and his dissertation is quantifying how AI and IoT improve the efficiency of smart grids and distributed energy assets. A bilingual communicator (English/German), Volkmar accelerates market adoption, speaks, and publishes on AI and IoT for the manufacturing, energy, and water verticals.