Location
Bank of NH Stage

UNDER THE SURFACE: PERSPECTIVES IN WATER WORKSHOP

April 30, 2024

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main Street, Concord, NH

5 TCHs 

$100 NHWWA Members | $120 Non-Members

Plan to join us for a great line-up of presentations.

AGENDA

8:00-8:30 AM Registration

8:30-8:45 AM Intro and Welcome

8:45-9:15 AM Keynote Speaker – Dr. Victoria Verlezza (she/her)– Making the non-apparent, apparent: Shedding light on invisible or hidden disabilities in the workplace

As our opening keynote speaker, Dr. Victoria Verlezza (she/her) will engage us in a conversation about invisible, hidden, or non-apparent disabilities and how they impact the workplace. Dr. Verlezza is the head of the Office of Employee Experience at Fuss and O’Neill. She serves as a steward of the firm’s inclusion, diversity, equity, and access efforts (IDEA). She has a PhD in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University and holds Masters degrees in Social Justice Education, Higher Education Administration, and Human Development. She is passionate about holding space for others’ learning journeys, while also challenging the status quo. She has been working in the area of DEI for 20 years and has joined Fuss and O’Neill to support employees foster inclusion and belonging.

9:30-10:15 AM Technical Session – Paul Fyfe (he/him) Employee Retention heading into 2024 and beyond 

Paul Fyfe (he/him) has over 30 years in the analytical and environmental laboratory industry with proficient experience in virtually every aspect of instrumental analysis, sample preparation, bench chemistry, management, as well as corporate executive experience and responsibilities.  Paul also specializes in maximizing profit through continuous improvement techniques, profit and loss, project management, analytical instrumentation operation, instrument troubleshooting and repair, maintaining federal and state certifications such as TNI-NELAC, ISO17025, GMP, CPSC, MADEP, NLLAP, and A2LA, company start up experience, business acquisitions, laboratory start-up’s, quality control and assurance. Paul also has experience with supervision and direction of over 100+ employees at a time, leadership and teamwork building, research, development and implementation of several analytical methods and Operations Management.  This presentation will cover turnover statistics; the biggest reasons employees move on to other positions as well as what employers can do to help retain their staff in today’s changing job market.

10:15-10:30 AM Break

10:30 AM -12:00 PM Round Table Discussion

• Ji Im, PE (she/her) is a principal environmental engineer who specializes in drinking water treatment at CDM Smith and is passionate about collaborating with water systems on solutions that improve water quality and infrastructure through study, design, and construction. Her experiences are in tackling a wide range of contaminants from PFAS, disinfection byproducts, lead/copper, iron/manganese, and more as well as general water quality and plant optimization and upgrades. She presently serves as the Vice Chair of the New England Water Works Association’s Program Committee and the Young Professional (YP) Advisor to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and the Chair of YP Committee for the American Water Works Association (AWWA). She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Environmental Engineering from University of New Hampshire.
• Alex Bonfiglio (he/they) is a Wastewater Operator and DEI Coordinator at Weston & Sampson. Graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Environmental Science in 2019, most of their work experience has been in a post pandemic world, which they draw upon to assist with creative solutions for Weston & Sampson’s IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access) program. In addition to IDEA, Alex also co-leads the company’s LGBTQ+ ERG, Movie Club, and Sustainability Committee,  partnering with many other internal working groups to ensure an “IDEA” perspective is carried throughout a project. A self-described “data nerd” , you can find him obsessing over the many parameters in his treatment plants, with a special interest in biosolid formation. 
• John Boisvert, PE (he/him) was appointed to the role of CEO for Pennichuck Water Works, Inc. of Nashua, New Hampshire on January 1, 2024 after serving as its Chief Engineer since 2006. John holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law & Policy from Vermont Law School. John is a 2010 graduate of Leadership NH and holds two leadership certificates from the Center for Creative Leadership of Colorado Springs, CO. 
• Barbara Cook, PE (she/her) recently retired from Weston & Sampson in 2023, where she spent her entire career and served as their President at the culmination of her career. Barbara is still active in several drinking water associations, including NEWWA, where she served as President. Her technical expertise is in drinking water quality and treatment. 
• Sarah Lescault, CPA (she/her) spent 6 years working at the City of Manchester Water Works as the Deputy Director of Finance and Administration after almost a decade of public accounting, specializing in municipalities and water systems.  Sarah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.  

12:00-1:00 PM Lunch (included)

1:00-2:15 PM Technical Session – Jingyan Huang (she/her) Learning through playing: A drinking water emergency game

Jingyan Huang (she/her) will provide an interactive presentation through a role- play game that simulates a drinking water contamination crisis. In this game, you will be assigned one of five roles: chemical manufacturer, local resident, water treatment plant operator, environmental agency representative, or health department official. Each role comes with confidential instructions that outline the character’s unique perspective, knowledge, and objectives. These instructions will guide your decisions and interactions throughout the game. Your objective in this game is to collaborate with others to solve the crisis as quickly as possible while maximizing the interests of your assigned role.

This immersive experience is designed to highlight the critical importance of cross-sector communication and collaborative problem-solving in water crisis management. Participants will not only gain insights into how to handle a drinking water emergency but also develop a holistic view of the challenges faced by different stakeholders by embodying various perspectives.

Jingyan Huang (she/her) is a PhD student at the University of New Hampshire studying drinking water emergency preparedness and response, with a special interest in cross-organizational communication and collaboration.

2:15-3:00 PM Technical Session – Alex Bonfiglio (he/they) DEI is All The Time: One Year as DEI Coordinator

Alex Bonfiglio (he/they) is a Wastewater Operator and DEI Coordinator at Weston & Sampson. Graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Environmental Science in 2019, most of their work experience has been in a post pandemic world, which they draw upon to assist with creative solutions for Weston & Sampson’s IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access) program. In addition to IDEA, Alex also co-leads the company’s LGBTQ+ ERG, Movie Club, and Sustainability Committee,  partnering with many other internal working groups to ensure an “IDEA” perspective is carried throughout a project. A self-described “data nerd” , you can find him obsessing over the many parameters in his treatment plants, with a special interest in biosolid formation. Recently Alex conducted an independent study to look at the relationship between the ratio of septage to WAS (Waste Activated Sludge) and the effect on polymer usage for solids dewatering. Right now, he is pursuing a degree in Restorative Practices from IIRP (International Institute of Restorative Practices), active in community mutual aid projects, political organizing and trying to take care of all his twelve pets . In a presentation that reflects on his experiences with the leading the IDEA initiative for a year Alex hopes that attendees can recognize the power that they have to enact change and create communities they are excited to engage in. 

3:00-3:15 PM Break

3:15-4:00pm Keynote speakers – James Killen (he/his) and Kirsten Ryan (she/hers) “Expanding the Ecosystem”: Fostering diversity in your organization and in the water sector makes a stronger and more resilient world for all  

As the waterworks sector faces many challenges, it also provides so many opportunities to empower individuals by connecting them to great work that is local, vital, and makes communities stronger. Kleinfelder’s Spectrum DEI initiative operates on our company values of ‘expanding our ecosystem’ to make for a stronger, more resilient organization. We’ll share some stories and ideas on how waterworks professionals can help make a more equitable and resilient world for us all. 

CO-PRESENTERS

James Killen (he/his): James has more than two decades of experience as an environmental engineer. He currently serves as a Senior Program Manager in Kleinfelder’s Hamilton, New Jersey office. James is the inaugural Chairperson of Kleinfelder’s Spectrum Committee, which focuses on employee driven change in the DEI space. 

Kirsten Ryan (she/her): Kirsten has almost 30 years of technical and management experience consulting for drinking water suppliers in New England and serves as a Drinking Water Practice Leader for Kleinfelder out of their Boston office. She’s a member of the NEWWA Board of Directors and a longtime member of the Groundwater and Program Committees. 

MODERATOR – Sarah Jakositz (she/her)

Sarah Jakositz (she/her) is one of the co-creators of this event. Sarah is currently the Chair of the NHWWA Young Professionals Committee and also sits as a Director on the NHWWA Board of Directors. Sarah is a UNH alum and has been working at CDM Smith as an Environmental Engineer since 2020.

TESTIMONIALS

The NHWWA Diversity Symposiums are such a positive experience for all! Diversity has become such a “buzzword” however organizations that simply look at diversity as a trend are missing out on the depth and value that a diverse organization can bring. Diverse organizations are inherently happier, more productive, and more competitive. Concord has taken this to heart throughout all divisions, we are practicing what we are preaching.  

– Marco Philippon, Water Treatment Superintendent at the City of Concord

I am a close-to-retirement white male professional and have never given much thought to the topic of diversity and inclusion until I attended the 2022 and 2023 NHWWA events.  The presenters opened my eyes and helped me understand the issues and obstacles faced by people whose personal life and background are not like my own.  I’m so glad I attended these events!

– David Miller, Deputy Director, Water Treatment & Supply at the City of Manchester

Attending the first two NHWWA Diversity Symposia (2022 and 2023) have provided insights and were very thought provoking for me and my four students who joined me (two each year). These symposia have provided ideas which when applied have allowed me to be a more effective ally and advocate for all of my students and my co-workers. It is clear to me that the time spent has provide excellent return on investment as I have seen a strong response from the students including increased productivity on our projects and passion for our profession as each is current working with firms in NH on water projects.

– Dr. Jim Malley, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire

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Registration: To register, complete the registration form below and pay with a credit card via PayPal (PayPal membership not required), or mail a check made out to NHWWA, to 18 N. Main St., Suite 308, Concord, NH 03301. If you would like an invoice, please email info@nhwwa.org.

Questions: email info@nhwwa.org or call 603-415-3959.

Registration