IWA announces the 2026–2028 Young Water Professionals Steering Committee

The International Water Association (IWA) is pleased to announce the new IWA Young Water Professionals (YWP) Steering Committee for the 2026–2028 term.

The Steering Committee is the representative body of IWA’s global community of Young Water Professionals—members aged 35 or younger. Its members provide advice to IWA on the perspectives, priorities and needs of emerging water professionals, helping to inform the Association’s strategy and strengthen the participation of younger generations across the water sector.

The Committee works to expand opportunities for YWPs to engage with IWA at national and international levels, contribute to technical and strategic discussions, develop their careers and leadership capabilities, and connect with peers across regions and professional backgrounds.

As part of their voluntary contribution, Steering Committee members will:

• Represent the perspectives and interests of the global IWA YWP Community.
• Support the development and activities of IWA YWP Country Chapters.
• Strengthen connections between YWPs and IWA Specialist Groups.
• Create career-development, leadership and networking opportunities.
• Promote YWP activities, achievements and opportunities through events and communications.
• Provide strategic advice on the integration of YWPs throughout IWA.
• Empower emerging water professionals to contribute to a water-wise world.

Every two years, the IWA YWP Community selects a new Steering Committee following an open call for applications and a review and election process.

The incoming Committee will participate in an online handover and transition meeting with the outgoing 2024–2026 Committee on 3 September 2026. This will be followed by an in-person transition meeting in Glasgow on 4 October, ahead of the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition.

Supporting the next generation of water professionals

Incoming Chair Natasha Mumba, from Zambia, previously served as Vice-Chair of the 2024–2026 Steering Committee. She is committed to strengthening the professional, leadership and capacity-development opportunities available to YWPs while ensuring that the Committee continues to represent the perspectives of the wider global community.

“I look forward to working alongside the Committee to develop a broad spectrum of professional opportunities through IWA’s pathways for capacity building, leadership and career development. We will also work to ensure that the perspectives of our wider YWP membership continue to be represented,” Natasha said.

Incoming Vice-Chair Francisca Braga, from Portugal and currently based in the United States, also brings experience from the previous Steering Committee, where she contributed to the Career Building portfolio.

“Having served on the 2024–2026 Committee, I want to support the Chair in achieving the goals of the new term and actively create opportunities for YWPs around the world to participate in events, develop their skills and ensure that their voices are heard across the water sector,” Francisca said.

Incoming Secretary Ryan Ji Quan Lee, from Singapore, highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between the global Steering Committee and YWP Country Chapters, particularly across Asia and the Pacific.

“My priority is to connect the Steering Committee more closely with YWP Chapters in Asia and the Pacific and encourage members to look beyond their national contexts. I would also like to support regular communication on YWP activities and pilot initiatives, such as global mentorship programmes that bring together diverse perspectives,” Ryan said.

Beyond the Management Committee, incoming members have identified stronger technical participation, Chapter collaboration, career development and inclusive communication as key priorities.

Yumeng Zhao, joining the Specialist Group–YWP Coordination portfolio, aims to create “clearer pathways for young professionals to contribute to technical activities, leadership and international collaboration.” Her fellow portfolio member, Amr Ismail, plans to assess YWP participation across Specialist Groups and identify practical opportunities to strengthen recruitment, mentoring and progression into senior roles.

For Rita Nishimwe, joining the YWP Chapter Coordination portfolio, the priority is to strengthen Chapters through “peer learning, stronger regional connections, inclusive engagement and practical support.” Meanwhile, Denisa Čadková, joining the Career Building portfolio, hopes to help YWPs “navigate career pathways, develop relevant skills and access meaningful opportunities across the global water sector.”

From the Events and Communications portfolio, Federick Pinongcos emphasised the importance of communicating with purpose, promoting opportunities and amplifying member stories so that young professionals feel “informed, connected and represented.”

Together, the members of the 2026–2028 Steering Committee bring experience from utilities, academia, research, government, consultancy, industry, civil society and international cooperation. Their geographic and professional diversity will support the Committee in responding to the varied priorities of YWPs across IWA’s global network.

2026–2028 IWA YWP Steering Committee

Management Committee

• Chair: Natasha Mumba — IWA YWP Zambia Chapter, Zambia
• Vice-Chair: Francisca Braga — IWA YWP Denmark Chapter, Portugal/United States
• Secretary: Ryan Ji Quan Lee — IWA YWP Singapore Chapter, Singapore

Strategic Advisory

• Natalie Lamb — IWA YWP United Kingdom Chapter, United Kingdom
• Natalie Paez Curtidor — IWA YWP Germany Chapter, Colombia/Germany

Specialist Group–YWP Coordination

• Yumeng Zhao — IWA YWP China Chapter, China
• Amr Ismail — IWA YWP Canada Chapter, Egypt/Canada

YWP Chapter Coordination

• Benedetta Sala — IWA YWP Italy Chapter, Italy
• Rita Nishimwe — IWA YWP Rwanda Chapter, Rwanda

YWP Events and Communications

• Hadi Mokarizadeh — IWA YWP Canada Chapter, Canada
• Federick Pinongcos — IWA YWP United States Chapter, United States

Career Building

• Denisa Čadková — IWA YWP Czech Republic Chapter, Czech Republic
• Chotiwat Jantarakasem — IWA YWP Thailand Chapter, Thailand/United States           

The new Committee will build on the achievements and lessons of the outgoing 2024–2026 Steering Committee while developing its priorities and work plan for the new term.

IWA thanks all members of the outgoing Committee for their commitment, voluntary service and contributions to strengthening the global YWP Community. We look forward to working with the incoming Committee and supporting its members as they begin their term.

To connect with the Steering Committee and the wider IWA YWP Community, join the conversation through IWA Connect Plus.

For questions about the IWA YWP Community, please contact Isabela Espindola, IWA Membership Engagement Senior Officer, at isabela.espindola@iwahq.org.

Not an IWA member yet? Join IWA to access professional-development opportunities, strengthen your international connections and become part of a global community working towards a water-wise world.

Image caption: From left to right and top to bottom: Natasha Mumba, Francisca Braga, Ryan Ji Quan Lee, Natalie Lamb, Natalie Paez Curtidor, Yumeng Zhao, Amr Ismail, Benedetta Sala, Rita Nishimwe, Hadi Mokarizadeh, Federick Pinongcos, Denisa Čadková and Chotiwat Jantarakasem.