Renée Martin-Nagle

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: A Ripple Effect

Location: Ebensburg, Pennsylvania

Renée Martin-Nagle founded A Ripple Effect to focus on water sustainability and serves as its President and CEO.  The name of the company reflects her philosophy that every action has an impact and should therefore contribute to the greater good.  

Renée came to the water sector after a 25-year career as chief legal officer for aviation manufacturers, including more than 20 years as chief legal officer for Airbus Americas.  The birth of the first of her two grandsons inspired her to dedicate her life to preserving the planet for future generations, so, while continuing to work her full-time day job, she earned an LL.M. in environmental law from George Washington University, graduating with highest honors.  Her LL.M. thesis on sharing the ancient waters sequestered in fossil aquifers won an award for environmental law scholarship, which led to her joining the Environmental Law Institute as a Visiting Scholar shortly after her “retirement” from Airbus.  Her scholarly publications attracted the attention of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, which invited her to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD in water law.  Her doctoral thesis, Governance of Offshore Freshwater Resources, was published as a book and has been called ground-breaking by reviewers.  As a result, the publisher has nominated the book for a global award in international law.  Teaching international environmental policy at three universities has given her a broad perspective on environmental issues and the critical role that water plays in sustaining life.  Her numerous publications and presentations call for a communal approach to water that ensures both intergenerational and interspecies equity.

Renée’s dedication to making a positive impact within her sphere of influence is manifested through her current affiliations with various organizations:  Treasurer of the International Water Resources Association, Special Counsel at Eckert Seamans law firm, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Mount Aloysius College (her AA alma mater), adjunct faculty at Saint Francis University (her BA alma mater), member of her hometown water authority, audit committee member of Omega Institute, and sustainability co-chair of the ABA Forum on Air and Space Law. 

Steve McKnight

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: 374Water

Location: New York, New York

374Water is a US-based cleantech, social impact company whose mission is to preserve a clean and healthy environment that sustains life. We are pioneering a new era of sustainable waste management that supports a circular economy and enables organizations to achieve their sustainability goals.

Karen Meidlinger

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: Evoqua Water Technologies

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Passionate about science and technology and how these can be harnessed in order to make the world a better place. Hands-on, results-oriented science PhD/MBA business executive. Recognized for a strategic and focused approach to leading new and complex projects to successful delivery. Extensive expertise in alliance management, business development, corporate development, digital business transformation, early customer development, ecosystem development, innovation management and venture investment for startups through Fortune 50 companies. Experience in such diverse industries as education, energy, finance, healthcare, media, real estate, technology and water. Enjoy traveling and have been to all seven continents.

Magali Mendez

/in , /by

LinkedIn

Company: Bi-Oleum

Location: Miami, FL

I am a biodesigner and researcher interested in incorporating biological living systems principles into my designs. With a product design background, I discovered my passion for sustainable design after questioning the environmental impact of traditional manufacturing. I was exposed to this industry for 5 years as a designer and production manager in different SME’s. In 2017, I undertook a strategic sustainable design course at University of Buenos Aires and in 2022, I graduated from Ma Biodesign at Central Saint Martins.

Rowe Michels

/in , /by

LinkedIn

Company: Alpheus Water Fund I

Location: Park City, Utah

Rowe Michels is the CEO and Founder of Alpheus Water Research and Alpheus Water Fund I, focusing on early-stage investments in disruptive new water technologies. Prior to launching Alpheus in 2017, Rowe was a Wall Street executive, holding positions as Portfolio Manager, Director of Research and Research Analyst on both the buy-side and sell-side. As an analyst, Rowe was responsible for Electric and Water Utilities, and was ranked #1 in this role for 11 consecutive years. Rowe also currently serves as a Board Member and has part-time operating roles in companies such as EcoVAP, Inc. (www.ecovap; VP of Strategic Planning); Energi (www.energi.us; Director of New Water Technology Research and Integration) and Sustainable Desal (https://www.oceanwellwater.com). Rowe currently resides in Park City, Utah, has five children and 10 grandchildren.

Kobe Nagar

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: 374Water

Kobe Nagar is the co-founder and CEO of 374Water Inc, a social impact, cleantech company that is commercializing Supercritical Water Oxidation Technology. Or in short, groundbreaking technology that creates a world without waste and connecting (the drops) between Water, Waste, Energy and Food.

Kobe has +20 years of experience in the renewable and cleantech industries and successfully scaled innovative technologies from concept to commercialization. His current passions are his family, coffee and keeping our water clean.

The Weekly Dive #12

/in /by

Oxyle plans to rid the world’s water of “forever chemicals”. 2022 is the seventh year in a row that ocean temperatures have hit new peaks. New PFAS bans are going into effect in 2023. Seven reasons why water could outperform in 2023. The Great Salt Lake could vanish within 5 years. EPFL creates technology to harvest water from the air while producing hydrogen fuel. This week, we are highlighting Drew FitzGerald, one of HydroDAO’s key advisors. Learn about his impressive background and why he is passionate about water.

Your weekly Bonus – Half of Earth’s glaciers will melt by 2100. We can still save the rest!

This week’s quote:

The way of water has no beginning and no end.

The sea is around you and in you.

The sea is your home, before your birth and after your death.

Our hearts beat in the womb of the world.

Our breath burns in the shadows of the deep.

The sea gives and the sea takes.

Water connects all things, life to death, darkness to light

What’s New with Water?

How Oxyle Plans To Rid The World’s Water Of Forever Pollutants 

“We went from living somewhere full of lakes and rivers to a city where there was almost no water in the summer.”

Oceans Broke Yet Another Heat Record in 2022, Scientists Warn

That makes 2022 the seventh year in a row that ocean temperatures have hit new peaks.

Aclarity Destroys PFAS Chemicals Forever in Full-Scale Pilot 

Existing methods for managing PFAS in landfill leachate merely shift PFAS chemicals within our environment.

PFAS Bans, Restrictions Go Into Effect in States in 2023 

Laws and regulations restricting “forever chemicals” in more than a half dozen states are entering effect in 2023.

What’s New in the Industry?

New Mazarine fund pushes climate adaptation paradigm 

Mazarine’s theory is that they can attract greater volumes of funding at enhanced valuations by positioning themselves as climate adaptation leaders.

Black & Veatch to deliver desalination plant for world’s largest copper smelter 

PT Freeport Indonesia has appointed Black & Veatch to design and manage a seawater desalination plant.

EPA Announces $500M Loan for Water Infrastructure In New Jersey 

The loan will modernize wastewater and drinking water systems serving over 10 million people throughout New Jersey.

Seven reasons why water could outperform in 2023

GWI’s Global Water Index outperformed the benchmark MSCI World stocks index in 2022. Why might this continue in 2023?

What’s New in the Science?

The Great Salt Lake Could Vanish Within Just 5 Years, Scientists Warn 

Today, only about 0.1 million acre-feet of water is returned to Utah’s famous lake each year, and that is not even close to being enough.

Desalination system harnessing natural cooling power of night sky 

Engineers and scientists are exploring new salt-removal technologies to turn brackish and ocean water into drinking water for large populations.

This forgotten technology could solve the world’s palm oil problem

Found in everything from chips to toothpaste, our addiction to the oil is destroying rainforests. But oily microbes may finally offer an alternative.

EPFL to Harvest Water from The Air and Provide Hydrogen Fuel

They have developed an ingenious yet simple system that combines semiconductor-based technology with novel electrodes.

Our HydroDAO Advisors: Drew FitzGerald

Drew, along with Jaden Smith, and a handpicked team of science, engineering, public health and innovation experts, is a co-founder of 501CTHREE.org a non-profit dedicated to driving content and innovation around global, energy, water, health and shelter solutions.

501CTHREE’s first project is supplying deployable water filtration systems in water crisis areas such as Flint, Michigan. Jaden and Drew’s recent tech deployment in Flint was awarded Fast Company’s Innovation Of The Year Award in the social good category.

Drew is one of the co-founders, along with Will and Jaden Smith, of JUST: a company formed to drive positive social and environmental impact in everyday items while creating sustainable awareness around energy, food and water. Their first product, JUST Water, was created to reduce both plastic utilization and emissions in single serve bottled water packaging by utilizing innovative paper packaging and bioplastics from sugarcane alternatives to petroleum. The company is also an innovator in water sourcing by engaging in the first “public-private” partnership to ensure that spring water is ethically sourced and conserved. JUST water was recognized as the “Best Packaging Solution” at the 2018 Global Bottled Water Congress. Learn more about Drew on our website.

Thank you Drew for your extraordinary support, work and leadership in the water industry and our water community.

What’s in the Future?

Half of Earth’s Glaciers Will Be Gone By 2100, But We Can Still Save The Rest 

The findings, published in the journal Science on Thursday, provide the most comprehensive look so far at the future of the world’s 215,000 glaciers.

Darrell Nelson

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: Clean Water International

Darrell Nelson is the Founder of Clean Water International. He is a coach, mentor, entrepreneur, software engineer, inventor.

In 2006 Darrell set up an outsourcing company in the Philippines, and in 2010/2011 he transitioned from the I.T. industry into the nonprofit world.

His focus was to build a strong on-the-ground WASH team who could represent International partner projects such as, Rotary International, Surge for Water, Grosche International, 100FORALL, Water 4 Asia, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Samaritan’s Purse Canada and Philippines, and more.

Darrell is passionate to envision processes in which the non-profit and social enterprise models can benefit society in relation to livelihoods while reaching the International SDG6 initiatives.

Clean Water International presently works in the Philippines and looks forward to expansion into other countries with the collaboration of amazing partners.

“I believe in every child’s right to clean water” ~ Darrell Nelson

Kim Nelson

/in /by

LinkedIn

Company: True Elements

Location: McLean, VA

I have spent my entire career focusing on government issues at the local, state, and federal levels. I worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (22 years) in staff, management, and executive roles. In 2001, the President appointed me to an executive-level position at US EPA where I served as Assistant Administrator for over four years. For the last 15 years, I have focused on government solutions – working closely with Microsoft partners building cloud-based solutions for JPS, HHS, and Modern Government. I would welcome the opportunity to consider a new for-profit or non-profit board position where I can bring my combined public and private sector experience to help grow an organization serving public sector customers or citizens.

José Moulin Netto

/in , /by

LinkedIn

Company: Zoilet

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mission-driven executive with international experience in the private, public and third sectors. Believes in team building as the basis for innovation and results. Leads a team of experts in applied behavioral science. Participates in several tech startups and boards.