Transformative Water Leadership Academy

We welcome 50 participants in each cohort, which provides an opportunity to learn from a wide network of individuals.

We are looking for TWLA applicants with the following experience:

• 3-10 years of full-time work experience, including at least two years of water-related work (preferably at a water utility or a related field).
• Supervisory and/or Management Experience. Past experience supervising people in your current professional, volunteer, or community work. Your experience may include management of projects, programs, committees, and contractors.
• Availability to attend TWLA sessions and events. During this 10-month program, participants must attend 90% of the following in-person and online events. (Preliminary schedule below. Dates and times may change.)
  • 2 in-person sessions, each lasting 3 days. These will require travel. Costs for travel, lodging, and food costs must be covered by participants or your employers — some financial assistance may become available.
  • 12 virtual sessions. Each session is 2.5 hours.
  • 4 small-group virtual meetings. Each 90-minute online meeting will be facilitated by a coach/mentor.
• Access to a computer and broadband internet. TWLA includes online sessions and online coursework that require a reliable, robust broadband connection.

Other Utility Leadership Opportunities:

• Interested in additional utility leadership development? Current and up-and-coming water and wastewater utility CEOs, general managers, senior managers, and upper-level management may be interested in the Water & Wastewater Leadership Center, a collaboration between AMWA, AWWA, NACWA, WEF, and NAWC.

Every participant in each TWLA cohort must deliver:

• Capstone project. You will design and complete a project based on sustainable community leadership principles learned at TWLA. This project should address a problem, need, or opportunity in your organization or community. Estimated work time: 40-60 hours.
• Presentation. Each participant must present what they learned from TWLA. This can happen at an event/conference, or by writing an article for a publication. Your presentation or article need not focus on TWLA, but it should clarify the value of what you learned from the TWLA experience.

Acceptance into TWLA is based on competitive criteria to ensure a robust learning experience for all participants. Applicants must be ready to engage deeply in the program, and prioritize their commitment to attending all program sessions.

When completing the TWLA application, you will be asked to provide the following information:

Your resume with the following information:

• Education. Provide diplomas, degrees, or certificates received. (Note: a college degree is not required to participate in TWLA. Online education programs should be included.)
• Work experience. Please include full-time jobs as well as temporary or internship positions. You must demonstrate a minimum of 3 years, but no more than 10 years of full-time work experience, including at least two years doing work related to the water sector.
• Volunteer/community experience. List work you have done on a volunteer basis, either for a nonprofit or community organization or program, or informally.
• Leadership experience. For your current job or volunteer/community work, describe your responsibilities for supervising or leading people. You may also describe other life experiences where you’ve led or supervised others.

Personal Statement Questions: You’ll be asked to write a brief answer (150 words or less) to each of these questions:

• How did you learn about TWLA?
• Who has been a transformational leader in your life? What qualities do they have, and how do they influence you?
• How will TWLA support your career goals?
• What positive change would you like to see or implement in your organization or community?
• What does this quote by futurist and author Charlene Li mean to you? “Leaders create change. If you are not creating change, you are not a leader; you are a manager.”

DEADLINE: Applications for 2026 cohort open on June 1, 2025.

If your TWLA application is accepted, you will then be prompted to register for the program.

You will be asked to provide the following information to fully enroll in TWLA.

• Letter of support from your employer. Since TWLA represents a substantial time commitment, we want to ensure your employer supports your involvement in this program. This letter can come from either a senior manager/executive in your organization or from your direct supervisor. This person should know you well and be willing to complete two surveys about your progress as it relates to your involvement in TWLA.
• Professional or personal reference. This is someone who can speak to your past performance or accomplishments — either on the job, or in your volunteer/community roles. Your reference cannot be a relative. This person should know you well and be willing to complete two surveys about your progress as it relates to your involvement in TWLA.