Meaningful Conversations with Annyse – Details, episodes & analysis

What does it mean to be truly wise about water? In this episode, host Annyse speaks with Cindy Wallis-Lage, a long-career water sector leader, about indigenous knowledge, the danger of solving the wrong problem, and why water needs to become a want — not just a need.

Cindy chose the Wisdom card and from that single image of waves and flowing water, an expansive conversation unfolded. Drawing on her experience as a former president at Black & Veatch Water and decades working across the sector, Cindy challenges some of the water industry's most embedded assumptions: about how we solve problems, who we invite to the table, and what relationship we want to have with water at all.

From the One Water movement and tribal community knowledge to the importance of vulnerability in leadership, this episode weaves together systems thinking, indigenous wisdom, and a powerful reframe - what if we stopped treating water as an entitlement and started treating it as something worth truly desiring?

Show Notes 

• US Water Alliance – Vision for a One Water Future - US Water Alliance
• True root cause analysis - What is Root Cause Analysis (RCA)? | ASQ
• 5 Whys - 5 Whys - What is it? | Lean Enterprise Institute 

Cindy L. Wallis-Lage, Retired C-Suite Executive

Cindy Wallis-Lage has served in the water industry for over 39 years through a combination of her work at Black & Veatch and service to public, private and non-profit industry organizations. Throughout her career, her focus has been on helping public and private entities successfully develop, enhance and manage their water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure via a variety of solutions and delivery methods.

Prior to her retirement, she served as Executive Director, Sustainability and Resilience for Black & Veatch to accelerate an enterprise-wide focus on sustainability and resilience solutions to support clients in the water, energy and telecommunications markets. Previously Wallis-Lage served as the President of the company’s global water business between 2012 and 2021 where she was responsible for the leadership and management of the company’s global water business. She also served on Black & Veatch’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors from 2012 until her retirement.

Currently Ms. Wallis-Lage continues to engage in the water industry by serving as a board member for several companies and co-leading ReSoLve, a non-profit focused on empowering and retaining women in the water industry.

Using her position, passion and knowledge, she is a champion of the Sustainable Development Goals and seeks to educate how holistic systems thinking can provide the needed long term human infrastructure to achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability goals.

About this episode

What happens when a sector becomes so good at its job that it makes itself invisible? In this episode, Annyse sits down with Nicole Brown, a nationally recognised water leader, equity champion, and founding Vice President of the Black Water Professionals Alliance, for a conversation that is equal parts practical and profound.

Nicole brings 27 years of experience in the water sector to a question that goes far deeper than infrastructure: how do we build a new story for water - one rooted in abundance, reverence, and belonging - and who gets to be part of telling it?

What we explore in this conversation

• Why Nicole chose curiosity as her word for right now and what it means to choose forward motion over steady state
• The water sector's "invisibility problem" — how decades of operational excellence have disconnected the public from the value, the wonder, and the careers behind their tap
• The scarcity mindset that runs through water conversations and why Nicole is intentionally refusing it
• Robin Wall Kimmerer's The Serviceberry and what an economy of gratitude, reciprocity, and community could look like in the water space
• What it means to be a steward of water and why abundance and reverence are more connected than we think
• The Black Water Professionals Alliance, the Fairmount Water Works, and the power of exposure in building the next generation of water professionals
• Why constructs don't need to be destroyed - they can be dissolved, and something better built in their place

A moment that stayed with us

"The water sector has done a great job at being invisible. We've been so good at what we do that we've made water seem like magic - and when something seems like magic, people stop asking how it works."

About Nicole Brown

Nicole Brown is the Area Growth Lead for the Water Sector at GFT, where she helps utilities align innovation with meaningful public engagement. She is the founding Vice President of the Black Water Professionals Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to workforce equity and community connection in the water industry. In 2024, she received the WEF Mentorship Award for her dedication to growing the next generation of water professionals.

Show notes 

• The Serviceberry – Robin Wall Kimmerer - Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Black Water Professional Alliance Philadelphia - Black Water Professionals Alliance - Home Page
• Philadelphia Fairmount Water Works - Fairmount Water Works – Discover. Connect. Act.
• Epigenetics - Epigenetic Inheritance of Trauma Across Generations: A Review of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Epigenetic Mechanisms, Challenges and Implications for Today’s World | OxJournal

💧 “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 

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 this inspiring episode of Meaningful Conversations, we sit down with Julie Bliss Mullen, Founder and Advisor of Aclarity, a company on a mission to destroy "forever chemicals" forever.

Julie shares her journey from PhD researcher to Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, and how motherhood has deepened her purpose. We explore the connection between healing water and healing people, trusting your instincts as a leader, creating flexible workplaces, and celebrating small victories in big, complex industries.

Julie’s perspective reminds us that true leadership is about courage, community, and nurturing — and that in water, just like in life, energy and vitality matter.

Topics We Cover:

• Healing water vs. just cleaning it
• Trusting intuition in leadership
• Building flexible, purpose-driven workplaces
• Celebrating small victories in big industries
• Women leading the future of water
• Redefining success as integration, not sacrifice

Show Notes:

1. Water Always Wins, Erica Gies - Slow Water
2. We need to change to solve the Water Crisis, Cees Buisman - We need to change to solve the Water Crisis 
3. The Eden in Iraq Wastewater Garden Project - https://edeniniraq.com/ 
4. Professor Kongjian Yu - Sponge Cities: Sponge Cities 
5. Emily's Wonder Labs - https://www.netflix.com/ie/TITLE/81128389