Dominique Collins, PO, is candid about stumbling into the water industry. Chuckling on the phone, she notes that when looking at the City of Washington D.C.’s apprenticeship programs, she happened to see a listing for an apprenticeship with DC Water. “I didn’t know what I was getting into,” she admits, “but I applied.” At the time, it
For National Apprenticeship Week, we have the privilege of spotlighting Shantelle Clarke, PO, and Theron Perry, PO. Apprenticeships are a key component of workforce development and professional growth, particularly as the water and wastewater industry faces increasing challenges. Water Professionals International (WPI) continues to address knowledge gaps not only through recruitment strategies, but also by
As we close out National Volunteer Week, I’m thrilled to be able to spotlight Jenny Strobel, Manager of the Fleming Training Center in Tennessee’s Division of Water Resources. Jenny recently stepped into the position of Wastewater Division Director on WPI’s Board of Directors. During her months of service thus far, she has continuously shown up
For National Volunteer Week, I had the privilege of being able to interview Andrew O’Neill, PO, who has served as a WPI volunteer for over a decade, including as our C2EP Wastewater Treatment Operations Commissioner. Recently, he participated in the first cohort of WPI and The Water Tower’s Excellence in Training Certificate. Throughout his years
Harris F. Seidel (1922–2025) devoted more than a century of his life to strengthening the water and wastewater profession through vision, service, and a steadfast commitment to community. He is remembered not only as a co-founder of the North American Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)—today known as Water Professionals International (WPI)—but also as a
Ethical leadership does not start with perfection; it begins with an open dialogue, courage, and dedication. That’s the message Kalpna Solanki brings to her work in the water sector and beyond. Drawing from a deep well of personal experience, professional leadership, and policy development, she’s become a trusted voice for organizations seeking to lead with
In a world where climate change, aging infrastructure, and public health risks increasinglyconverge, Shawn Corrigan stands at a pivotal intersection. As the Resilience &Sustainability Practice Director at Carollo Engineers, Shawn brings a uniquely layeredperspective to water sector challenges—grounded in years of diverse experience and afuture-forward mindset. Shawn Corrigan’s Journey to Emergency Management Shawn’s story begins
In 2014, WPI (then ABC) launched the Professional Operator (PO) program—an industry-driven certification that has gained national and international recognition as a gold standard. Designed without borders, the PO certification empowers individuals anywhere in the world to earn their designation on demand. Today, its framework serves as a model for global environmental certification programs—and its