Meaningful Conversations with Annyse – Details, episodes & analysis

In this inspiring conversation, Pamela Lynch, President of BlueWave Strategy and investing member of Portfolia, invites us to rethink how we approach water, leadership, and collective wellbeing.
 Drawing from two decades of innovation in water and climate tech, Pamela shares insights on cathedral thinking, building wellness into water strategies, and the vital role of meaningful conversations in creating lasting change.

We explore:

• The connection between water, wellness, and creativity
• Why future-focused thinking is essential for the next 100 years
• How collective responsibility can heal the water cycle
• The importance of slowing down for real conversations that move the needle

Tune in to be inspired by Pamela’s powerful vision for the future of water — and the world.

Show Notes 

• The Good Ancestor - How to think long-term in a short-term world. Roman Krznaric
• Jeremy Hunter - Groundbreaking work on the Red, Green, and Grey Zones - Leading mindfully for a positive culture.   Jeremy Hunter

In the final episode of Series 1 of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse sits down with Kate Brown, Principal Technical Consultant at ERM and former leader of Procter & Gamble’s 2030 Water Positive Future program.

With more than 25 years of experience in global sustainability, Kate has built and led water programs that balance business needs with watershed resilience. In this conversation, she shares why curiosity is her guiding principle and how asking better questions, telling better stories, and slowing down to listen can shape the future of water.

From real stories of ingenuity in communities facing water scarcity, to lessons learned inside global manufacturing sites, Kate brings both professional expertise and deep personal insight into how we can all become better stewards of water.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

💧 Why curiosity is about more than facts - it’s about wonder, empathy, and possibility
 💧 How storytelling can transform the way people see and value water
 💧 Stories from Mexico and beyond that reveal the realities of water access
 💧 The importance of slowing down to listen and how it can dissolve assumed problems
 💧 What watershed resilience means and why long-term thinking matters
 💧 How purpose and diversity of perspectives drive stronger sustainability outcomes

Quote from Kate:

✨ “You’re sometimes just one question away from something very interesting.”

Show Notes 

·        The Thin Book of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work

·        Alliance for Water Stewardship

·        Constructed wetlands 

·        Biomimicry 

What does power really mean in the future of water? Is it about technology, policy, or something more personal — our individual influence and the culture we create?

In this episode, we sit down with Brianne Nakamura, a second-generation water engineer, innovator, and connector with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Currently Global Product Manager at Xylem’s Pure Technologies brand, Bri has also led open innovation at Xylem Innovation Labs and served as Practice Leader of Innovation at the Water Environment Federation. In 2022, she was named WEF’s Outstanding Young Professional.

Together, we explore:
 💡 The “Power” card — and what it reveals about influence and possibility in water’s future
 💡 The importance of mentorship and how intentional team culture can unlock collaboration
 💡 Attracting and supporting the next generation of diverse leaders through WEF’s InFLOW program
 💡 Why innovation in water goes far beyond technology — and how outside perspectives are key
 💡 How reconnecting water to joy, humanity, and storytelling can transform our industry

If you’re passionate about leadership, innovation, and building a more inclusive and joyful water industry, this conversation will inspire and challenge you.

Links:

• Water Environment Federation 
• Xylem Innovation Labs 
• American Waterworks Association 
• Society of Women Engineers 
• WEF Inflow programme 
• Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)
• Imagine H20
• BlueTech Research  
• WASH 

In this powerful episode, Annyse is joined by Dr. Mirka Wilderer, CEO of AqueoUS Vets, a leader known for scaling organizations and nurturing meaningful innovation in the water industry. Together, they dive deep into the topics of disruption, co-creation, consistency, and trusting the unknown.

Mirka shares her perspective on how the water industry can break free from outdated paradigms by inviting in diverse voices, asking new questions, and creating space for co-created solutions that serve the needs of our evolving world.

This is a must-listen for leaders, changemakers, and anyone passionate about purpose-driven work, inclusive innovation, and the future of water.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• What “Consistency” really means in an industry that needs transformation
• Why innovation is more about application than invention
• How Mirka sees disruption as a creative, trust-building force
• The importance of bringing in non-traditional talent and new perspectives
• Why the next generation’s purpose-driven mindset is critical for the water sector
• How co-creation unlocks unexpected and lasting solutions
• Mirka’s own story of growing businesses, leading through crisis, and finding strength in trusting her team

Key Takeaways:

• Disruption doesn’t mean chaos — it means evolving with intention
• Trust is the foundation of all co-creative processes
• To move from one level of organizational maturity to the next, we need different questions and different voices
• The water industry must evolve to welcome talent from diverse backgrounds and industries
• We don’t need all the answers — we need a willingness to sit with the unknown and allow new solutions to emerge

💧 “We quietly protect public health. But it’s time to tell water’s story out loud.” — Kendra Morris, CEO, Regulated Water, Veolia North America

Kendra Morris brings a city planner’s vision and a bold, hopeful outlook to the water sector. In this episode, we explore how water leaders can balance compliance with affordability, think in 100-year cycles, and use storytelling as a tool for trust, talent, and transformation.

🎧 Listen in to hear:

• Why innovation goes beyond tech
• How shared purpose can dissolve barriers
• What it means to lead water into the future

👉 Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

Show Notes 

·        Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink, Seth M. Siegel 

·        WEST of USA – trading rights to share and move water 

·        USA Public Water Systems

·        Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI)  

·        Water Documentary: Our Blue World 

·        Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) 

·        The Good Ancestor, How to Think Long Term in a Short-Term World, Roman Krznaric

·        Water Environment Federation 

·        Water Reuse Organization  

·        American Water Works Association 

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse speaks with longtime US EPA water leader Sally Gutierrez about her powerful journey in the water sector. From overseeing the world’s largest water permitting program to championing innovation and breaking barriers for women, Sally shares wisdom, humor, and heart.

Annyse and Sally explore how storytelling, leadership, and bold thinking are shaping the future of water—and why we need more diverse voices at the table.

Highlights:

• Innovation in water: AI, reuse, and community solutions
• What it means to lead with authenticity
• Supporting women in water
• A message for the next generation

👉 Listen now and get inspired by Sally’s extraordinary story.

In this inspiring episode, Annyse sits down with Kariann Aarup, Vice President of Programme Development and Impact at AquaAction, to explore what it truly means to lead with intention, empathy, and connection in the water sector—and beyond.

Kariann shares her journey as a collaborative leader deeply rooted in purpose, personal growth, and environmental stewardship. Together, they dive into topics like spiritual connection to nature, the deeper meaning of “treatment,” and how youth innovation is reshaping the water space.

This is a conversation full of wisdom, reflection, and powerful questions—one that invites us all to slow down and lead from a more conscious place.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Kariann’s personal connection to water and what “serenity” means to her
• The spiritual and emotional dimensions of working in the water sector
• Why language—especially the word “treatment”—matters in how we care for people, water, and the planet
• How AquaAction’s youth innovation challenge is fostering both outer solutions and inner growth
• The role of Indigenous storytelling, journaling, and imagination in shaping new leadership
• Live epiphanies and heartfelt insights about how we show up in our work and in the world

Key Questions Explored:

• How does water want to be treated?
• How are we treating ourselves, our infrastructure, and our waterways?
• Can we feel our way into the future, not just think our way there?
• What kind of leadership is needed now—and next?

About Our Guest:

Kariann Aarup is the Vice President of Programme Development and Impact at AquaAction. She leads with a deep sense of care, connection, and collaboration, focusing on empowering the next generation of innovation-minded talent to tackle pressing freshwater challenges.

Her work blends strategic leadership with personal passion—bringing together community, spirituality, and social impact in transformative ways.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about AquaAction
• Erica Gies 
• Inner Development Goals Summit 
• Otto Scharmer

In this episode, we sit down with Natasha Wiseman, founder of Wise on Water and the not-for-profit platform Make Water Famous. Natasha is a passionate advocate for the power of communication in the water sector—believing that if we want to build real change, we must start by telling the truth about water.

From climate disruption to pollution and public trust, Natasha shares how storytelling can bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding. We talk about the UK’s growing water crisis, the role of community engagement, and why communications must be built into every water project from the start—not as an afterthought.

Natasha also pulls the “Truth” card during our conversation (yes, we bring a little creative energy into the mix) and reflects on what “truth” means when it comes to water, media, and the stories we share.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why storytelling matters more than ever in the water sector
• The public’s growing curiosity—and concern—about water
• Why communication is a strategic tool, not just a nice-to-have
• What happens when people connect to their local waterways
• How to bring communications into the room before the project starts
• Why investment alone isn’t enough—we need narrative clarity too
• Natasha’s dream for a future where communications has a seat at every table

Links & Resources:

·        Make Water Famous

·        Wise on Water

·        Wise on Water Podcast 

·        UK Water Industry BBC Article 

·        Why Namibia’s 1960s sewage purifying plant is a beacon of hope for the US water crisis

·        Singapore’s NEWater Journey 

·        Summary of California's Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Industry 

·        The Water Tower - a non-profit innovation hub based in Gwinnett County, Georgia.  The Water Tower bring together industry leaders, utilities, private companies, NGOs, and academic institutions to tackle the world's most pressing water challenges. 

·        Erica Gies – Slow Water — by Erica Gies

·        Water Experiment – Dr. Masaru Emoto 

·        Towumba water crisis

In the latest episode of Meaningful Conversations, we sit down with Jackie Jarrell, who has spent much of her career working at Charlotte Water and is now a Principal Consultant at Raftelis and a WEF Fellow.  Jackie’s career has been dedicated to water development, municipal strategy, and creating life-nurturing work environments.

Jackie brings deep wisdom from years of experience in utilities—and a heart-centered approach to leadership. We dive into the practical realities of running water treatment plants, the pressures utility teams face, and how we can build more balanced, human-centered systems.

The Balance Card Moment 

During our chat, Jackie pulled the Balance card. Her reflection? Many in utilities are working incredibly hard, often at the expense of personal wellbeing. But the future holds promise: with the right tools, technology, and inclusive perspectives—like involving HR, IT, and community voices—we can reshape how we support our teams and foster healthier work-life integration.

Key Highlights:

🔹 Leadership is for Everyone
Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a practice. Every person, regardless of role, holds the capacity to lead. Confidence, curiosity, and self-awareness are essential qualities that can be nurtured at every level.

🔹 Human-Centered Culture = Better Outcomes
Organizations that prioritize wellbeing, flexibility, and real development opportunities don’t just perform better—they become magnets for talent. Trust, clarity of purpose, and emotional intelligence aren't soft skills—they’re core infrastructure.

🔹 Breaking Silos Starts in the Mind
Barriers in organizations often live in our assumptions. When we bring those assumptions to light, they lose their grip. It is important for leaders to cultivate open conversations and question the “unwritten rules” of how work really gets done.

🔹 Reimagining Work with Ease
Why do we equate value with busyness? True innovation and connection thrive when we allow time for reflection, creativity, and rest. It’s not lazy—it’s smart.

🔹 The Power of Vulnerable Leadership
Sharing the messy parts of our career paths builds connection and trust. Leaders who model honesty and openness unlock more resilient, inspired teams

Final Thought:
This episode is a rallying call for courageous leadership in the water sector. As Jackie says, “We’re not just moving water—we’re serving people.” It’s time to build organizations that serve both the mission and the humans behind it.

LuminUS Leadership

LuminUS's purpose is to provide the environment and space for individuals, teams, and organizations to unlock their full potential. By fostering a co-creation mindset and skill set, we help harness the hidden wisdom within organizations, enabling them to thrive and achieve meaningful transformation.

In our latest Meaningful Conversations podcast episode, I had the deep pleasure of speaking with Erica Gies, award-winning journalist and author of Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge. This conversation left me both grounded and inspired — Erica brings not only science, but also soul, to the way we think about water.

At the heart of Erica’s work is the Slow Water movement — a powerful shift in how we manage water by working with it rather than trying to control or rush it. Her approach is rooted in ecology, Indigenous wisdom, and a deep understanding of the natural systems we’ve so often overlooked in our attempts to engineer the landscape.

Erica drew the Majestic card during our conversation, and it set the tone beautifully. She spoke about how water is not just physically vital, but emotionally sacred. We begin our lives in water; we are mostly water. In many cultures, water is not a commodity — it’s a relative. A friend. Something to be honoured.

Show notes: 

• Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge. 
• American Society of Civil Engineers: Endorses the use of nature-based solutions as crucial tool in combatting climate change
• Julie Beagle: The Nation’s Chief Engineers Turn to Nature to Improve Flood Protection: Scientific American 
• Ursula K. Le Guin: The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction – Link to book.  Link to article.
• More than Carbon sticks.  A story discussed in the podcast featuring Atmospheric Physicist Anastassia Makarieva and University of Washington atmospheric scientist and ecologist Abigail Swann
• Laura Norman, Physical Scientist, US Geological Survey: What if we let water flow where it wants, slowly? Article in Popular Science. 
• The meaning of Lichen 
• The science behind forest bathing 
• Edward O. Wilson’s Biophilia
• Edward O. Wilson – Half Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life 
• LuminUS Reflection Cards