Meaningful Conversations with Annyse

Guest: Melissa Meeker, CEO, The Water Tower About this episode What does it look like when a 35-year water industry veteran finally steps fully into her power and decides to use it to change everything? In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Meeker, CEO of The Water Tower, a nonprofit water innovation centre in Georgia, to talk about workforce transformation, community healing, women in leadership, and why water might just be the most powerful force for human change we have. Melissa ...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse speaks with Victoria Edwards - former concert pianist, founder of FIDO Tech, and CEO of K622 Tech. Victoria is using acoustics and AI to revolutionise how we detect and manage water loss, and she brings one of the freshest perspectives in the global water conversation. Victoria drew the Endurance card and what unfolded was a powerful discussion about what it truly means to be a custodian of water, why real collaboration needs a commercial ba...

About this episode What happens when a sector becomes so good at its job that it makes itself invisible? In this episode, Annyse sits down with Nicole Brown, a nationally recognised water leader, equity champion, and founding Vice President of the Black Water Professionals Alliance, for a conversation that is equal parts practical and profound. Nicole brings 27 years of experience in the water sector to a question that goes far deeper than infrastructure: how do we build a new story for water...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse sits down with Dr Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water — a visionary leader with a PhD in physical chemistry and a passion for building cultures where innovation can truly thrive. Angela chose the Bold card, and from that simple starting point, a rich conversation unfolded around regeneration, roots, diversity, and what it really takes to create lasting change in the water sector. What We Explore in This Episode Regenera...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, we sit down with Kamakshi Sharma, Director of Marketing & Strategy at Aquatech, to explore what growth truly means for the future of the water industry. Kamakshi leads Aquatech’s global marketing and communications efforts and plays a central role in shaping market and business strategy across the organization. At a time when climate change, water scarcity, and rapid urbanisation are reshaping our world, water is no longer an afterthought—it’s ...

In the final episode of Series 1 of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse sits down with Kate Brown, Principal Technical Consultant at ERM and former leader of Procter & Gamble’s 2030 Water Positive Future program. With more than 25 years of experience in global sustainability, Kate has built and led water programs that balance business needs with watershed resilience. In this conversation, she shares why curiosity is her guiding principle and how asking better questions, telling better storie...

In this powerful episode, Annyse is joined by Dr. Mirka Wilderer, CEO of AqueoUS Vets, a leader known for scaling organizations and nurturing meaningful innovation in the water industry. Together, they dive deep into the topics of disruption, co-creation, consistency, and trusting the unknown. Mirka shares her perspective on how the water industry can break free from outdated paradigms by inviting in diverse voices, asking new questions, and creating space for co-created solutions that serve ...

In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse speaks with longtime US EPA water leader Sally Gutierrez about her powerful journey in the water sector. From overseeing the world’s largest water permitting program to championing innovation and breaking barriers for women, Sally shares wisdom, humor, and heart. Annyse and Sally explore how storytelling, leadership, and bold thinking are shaping the future of water—and why we need more diverse voices at the table. Highlights: Innovation in ...

In this episode, we sit down with Natasha Wiseman, founder of Wise on Water and the not-for-profit platform Make Water Famous. Natasha is a passionate advocate for the power of communication in the water sector—believing that if we want to build real change, we must start by telling the truth about water. From climate disruption to pollution and public trust, Natasha shares how storytelling can bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding. We talk about the UK’s growing...

In our latest Meaningful Conversations podcast episode, I had the deep pleasure of speaking with Erica Gies, award-winning journalist and author of Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge. This conversation left me both grounded and inspired — Erica brings not only science, but also soul, to the way we think about water. At the heart of Erica’s work is the Slow Water movement — a powerful shift in how we manage water by working with it rather than trying to control or rush...

In this inspiring episode of Meaningful Conversations, we sit down with Julie Bliss Mullen, Founder and Advisor of Aclarity, a company on a mission to destroy "forever chemicals" forever. Julie shares her journey from PhD researcher to Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, and how motherhood has deepened her purpose. We explore the connection between healing water and healing people, trusting your instincts as a leader, creating flexible workplaces, and celebrating small victories in big, complex ...

Join us in meaningful conversations with inspiring women from water and beyond. Together, we explore bold visions, plant seeds for possibility, and reflect on what’s emerging in our world — as professionals, as humans, as a global community.