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Global Water Stewardship (GWS) was established in 2013 by the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA), a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). Our founders saw a pressing need to address global sanitation issues and decided it was time to use their industry expertise to make a difference. The organization steadily grew utilizing the tremendous talent of CSWEA and WEF water treatment professionals, as well as passionate students and working professionals, from various backgrounds, dedicated to making a positive impact.
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Global Water Stewardship (GWS)
GWS was established in 2013 by the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA), a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). Our founders saw a pressing need to address global sanitation issues and decided it was time to use their industry expertise to make a difference. The organization steadily grew utilizing the tremendous talent of CSWEA and WEF water treatment professionals, as well as passionate students and working professionals, from various backgrounds, dedicated to making a positive impact.
In 2017, GWS became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, still working to improve health and quality of life for those lacking sufficient resources and experience in proper sanitation methods. A centralized sanitation system enhances a community’s prosperity and dramatically reduces mortality and poverty. Addressing sanitation is so important that it remains our number one priority today. Explore who we are and what we do by using the buttons below:
MOHAMMED HAQUE
DIRECTOR
Is the District Manager for the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District and has been involved managing public utilities for 22 years. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Central States Water Environment Association and on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies. Mohammed helped form the Global Water Stewardship out of a realization that the talented professionals and students in CSWEA could help the 2.4 billion people lacking sanitation worldwide.
JOE LAPASTORA
CO-CHAIR
Is the Director of Operations for the Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District. Joe earned his B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville in May 2018 and was identified a 2022 Duke WILD Fellow for Emerging Leaders in the water industry. Joe is passionate about student design and continues to help organize the Midwest Student Design Competition and also helps organize the international Student Design Competition at WEFTEC.
SARAH GUZMÁN
CO-CHAIR
Is a Process Engineer at Black & Veatch working on wastewater and biosolids management projects. She received her bachelor’s degree in biological engineering and her master's degree in environmental engineering from Utah State University. Sarah is a water enthusiast and has been an advocate for solving environmental issues on a local and national scale with a research-based approach while promoting sustainability, sanitation in the developing world, and water education. She is passionate about connecting with the communities she serves through her work and hopes to promote innovative solutions that can bridge the gap between environmental, economic and social sustainability.
ELIZABETH HEISE
PAST CHAIR
Is a Biological Engineer at Trotter and Associates, Inc, working on water and wastewater projects. Liz earned her Masters in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois. She is very passionate about international development and public health and has worked on water and sanitation projects in small communities in both Latin America and Africa. She has experience in community outreach, fundraising, and sustainable project implementation.
JOE LAPASTORA
CO-CHAIR
Is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin working towards a master’s degree in Sustainable Systems Engineering. She hopes to pursue a career that utilizes her education in both wastewater and sustainability. Jonessa has been involved with GWS for about a year and is excited to take on more responsibility as the Community Design Co-Chair. In her free-time, she enjoys visiting family, playing pickleball, and hanging out with her dog
BRANDON FRIEDLAND
PUBLIC EDUCATION & OUTREACH CHAIR
Is the Project Manager for Xylem responsible for projects with the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission’s PCCP Conditions Assessment Program. Brandon earned his B.S. in Business & Economics at the University of Delaware and began his career in water working with start-up manufacturers and equipment representatives. Brandon is a decentralized treatment enthusiast, ASSE Certified Rainwater Harvest System Designer and is studying for his associate degree in Sustainable Horticulture. He is an avid volunteer and advocate for safe drinking water around the world.
GUISSEL DAVILA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAIR
Is a Wastewater Project Engineer at Baxter & Woodman, Inc. Guissel received her BS in Civil Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2019. Guissel participated in the GWS student design competition as a student, and since remained involved in GWS concluding graduation. Guissel enjoys using her knowledge in the wastewater field to bring awareness and education to the importance of sanitation.
MATT STREICHER
TREASURER
Is the Executive Director for the Glenbard Wastewater Authority. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with an environmental emphasis. He previously served as the District Engineer for the Wheaton Sanitary District for 8 years, and has a passion for wastewater treatment so that the environment can be preserved and protected, while also maintaining proper public health. Matt has been on board with GWS since its inception, and has had roles in several committees.
MEGAN LIVAK
VP OF OPERATIONS
Is a pioneering collection system monitoring technology. Megan brings a unique perspective to her work, having spent over 12 years in the water sector across engineering consulting, water nonprofit, and most recently, the manufacturing space. She was introduced to GWS during her time with the Water Environment Federation and has since fallen in love with the vision and mission of the organization. She has participated in various global water and sanitation projects across Central America and Southeast Asia, most recently having been a global talent at the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab in Karnataka, India. She is passionate about public health, global innovation, water education, and sanitation access across all communities.
PAULO RODRÍGUEZ
MEDIA DIRECTOR
Global Water Stewardship resolves sanitation issues in developing countries. Our focus is on educating the public and engineering sustainable centralized solutions to keep waterways clean and communities healthy.