Susheel Arora - CEO of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA)

Susheel Arora serves as the CEO of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA), spearheading Canada’s first Indigenous-owned and operated water and wastewater service organization. He was instrumental in establishing the Governance and Operations framework for this groundbreaking model, addressing the longstanding inadequacies in water and wastewater services for First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada. His leadership is driving a transformative governance structure that challenges and reshapes a system that has been in place for over 150 years. This model embodies the First Nations' pursuit of self-determination and control over a vital resource essential for public health and environmental protection.

Under this visionary governance framework, AFNWA has made remarkable strides within just two years, enhancing infrastructure, water quality, and wastewater services across member communities. The organization is actively engaged in several industry-recognized programs and initiatives designed to further elevate the quality of life in member Nations, ensuring resilient and sustainable services for future generations.

Previously, Susheel held the role of Director of Operations at Halifax Water, where he gained over 20 years of experience in water management. During his tenure, he led the One Water initiative, a holistic approach to wastewater and stormwater collection, water distribution, treatment, and biosolids management in the Halifax region, advocating for the integrated value of water systems.

Susheel is also deeply involved in broader utility initiatives such as Integrated Resource Planning, IT Master Planning, Rate Making, Asset Management, and Capital Planning. A dedicated professional, he is a member of Engineers Nova Scotia and holds two master's degrees—one in Environmental Engineering and another in Applied Sciences. He further refined his leadership acumen through the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Committed to advancing the water and wastewater sector, Susheel actively contributes to organizations such as the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the International Water Association (IWA). His participation in national committees and expert panels reflects his commitment to shaping industry advancements.

A steadfast advocate for First Nations water issues and the "One Water" approach, Susheel champions holistic, sustainable water management and efficient service delivery, striving to create meaningful and lasting change in the field.

Geoff Cooper - Chief Executive at Te Waihanga

Geoff Cooper is the Chief Executive at Te Waihanga. He has a background in global policy having worked for the United States Federal Reserve, the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, and the United Nations. He is a former Chief Economist for both PwC and Auckland Council, where he worked on infrastructure, housing, regulation, and financial policy, including business case development for Auckland’s City Rail Link. At Te Waihanga, Geoff was previously the General Manager of Strategy where he had purview over research capabilities, the National Infrastructure Pipeline, and development of the New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy. He holds a Master of Economics with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland and a Master of Public Affairs from Princeton University.

David Cunliffe - Principal Water Quality Specialist South Australian Department for Health

David is the principal water quality specialist with the South Australian Department for Health. He is a regulator with over 40 years of experience dealing with public health aspects of drinking water, wastewaters and recreational waters.

David has been a member of WHO and Australian water quality committees for 25 years and has contributed to a range of national and international guidelines on drinking-water quality, safe use of wastewater and recreational water quality. David has championed risk-based approaches for managing water safety.

David has been a leading contributor to a range of WHO publications on management of water quality and dealing with specific contaminants including lead, toxic cyanobacteria and microplastics. He has also contributed to a broad range of public health research. David is a member of expert water quality committees in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Raveen Jaduram BE(Hons), ME, F.ENZ, CMInstD

Raveen is a dedicated infrastructure leader, with 40 years of experience in the water environment and infrastructure.  Raveen is currently the chair of the boards of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga and Water Services Authority Taumata Arowai.  He is also a director of Auckland Transport and Corde Limited.  He is Chair and director of a number of private and family businesses in New Zealand and Fiji.Raveen is a past President of Water New Zealand and has held chief executive and directorships in private and public sectors in Australia and in New Zealand.

Katherine Richardson, PhD, D.Sc. - Professor of Biological Oceanography at the University of Copenhagen

Katherine Richardson, PhD, D.Sc., is a professor of biological oceanography at the University of Copenhagen and a leading expert on Earth system science. She is a core developer of the Planetary Boundaries framework and currently leads an interdisciplinary research centre on ocean, climate, and society. Her work focuses on the links between the water cycle, climate change, and biodiversity loss in shaping sustainable futures.

Professor Te Maire Tau - Upoko Ngāi Tūāhuriri

Te Maire is Pou Whakarae of the University of Canterbury, where he heads the Office of Treaty Partnership.

Te Maire belongs to Ngāi Tahu, the principal tribe of the South Island, and lives in Tuahiwi, the largest village of that tribe. Te Maire is the Upoko (Director) of Ngāi Tūāhuriri (the tribal group of the Tuahiwi region in Canterbury) and Co-Chair, Te Kura Taka Pini (Ngāi Tahu Freshwater Management Group).

During his years as an undergraduate and later as a postgraduate student at Canterbury, Te Maire helped iwi leaders with their land claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, with a particular emphasis on traditional food-gathering practices. As a specialist historian on oral traditions, tribal genealogies and indigenous knowledge systems, Te Maire was used as an expert witness and historian for the settlement of the Ngāi Tahu Claim - the largest settlement in its day between Māori and the Crown for lands wrongfully taken.

Since then, he has had several publications dealing with oral traditions and the relationship between indigenous knowledge systems and how they intersect with western science. Te Maire’s research interests include the philosophy of knowledge, oral traditions, myth, indigenous development / tribal economies, water rights, and history.