NHWWA Young Professional of the Year Award
The NHWWA Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a NHWWA Young Professional (age 40 or younger) for their outstanding contributions to the drinking water industry and involvement in NHWWA YP committees. This award aims to promote the accomplishments of the recipient by highlighting their achievements, service, innovation, leadership, and involvement in the organization. The recipient of the award is presented with a plaque and will be recognized in front of their peers for their accomplishments.
NHWWA Young Professional of the Year Nomination Form
Trish Kelliher – 2023 Young Professional of the Year
Congratulations to Trish Kelliher for this outstanding achievement, and thank you for all you do for the water industry!
Trish Kelliher was awarded 2023 YP of the Year at this January’s NHWWA/NEWWA Joint Meeting. Trish’s multiple nominators described her as, “a mentor to so many water professionals, both directly and indirectly,” “the definition of outstanding,” “one of those people who makes everyone feel welcome into our water community,” and “a born leader who always goes the extra mile.”
Trish is a graduate of UMass Amherst where she studied civil and environmental engineering and was actively involved in Engineers without Borders, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the UMass Dance Team. Starting while she was still a student, Trish made time for her passions, becoming a New England Patriots Cheerleader – a position she maintained for three years while simultaneously starting her career in the water industry. Even after “retiring” from the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, Trish’s love for mentorship showed as she worked with Science Cheerleaders and promoted STEM to Pop Warner Cheerleaders in New England.
Trish knew she wanted a career in water after travelling to Kenya in 2009 with UMass Engineers Without Borders. Now a Senior Principal Engineer with Hazen, Trish has an impressive resume with experience in capital planning, asset management, condition assessment, hydraulic modeling, permitting, design, bidding, and construction administration.
Trish recently concluded her term as Chair of the NHWWA YP Committee which she has held since the committee’s inception in Summer 2019. Trish’s vision as Chair, her passion for the industry, and her ability as a leader shaped the YP Committee from nonexistent to the successful group that it is today.