Why I Solve Water: 4 Women Leaders Driving Change in the Water Sector

In honor of International Women’s Day 2023, Xylem is gathering leaders across the company for panel discussions on this year’s theme #EmbraceEquity. Making Waves caught up with four panelists who are helping Xylem customers around the globe overcome water challenges.

Sylvia Tshivhunge
Country Lead, Public Utilities, Xylem South Africa
Based in Kempton Park, South Africa

1. What are you working on now?

South Africa continues to face intense water challenges, such as drought, water scarcity and leaking infrastructure that causes wasted water. At Xylem, we partner with utilities, municipalities and other users of water to help mitigate water threats and increase water security in South Africa and across the continent. I am proud to oversee our public utility business here, as well as several commercial sectors. As a country lead, my main responsibilities are to oversee and grow Xylem’s business in South Africa – that means making sure we’re working closely with our customers and other partners to understand their needs and help them solve water for their communities.

2. How did you find yourself working in water?

Growing up I wanted to be a doctor, so I studied chemistry and biochemistry when I attended university. When it was time to pursue my Master’s degree, I decided to leave health-related research and instead join the water research division, which was focusing on acid mine treatment or treating polluted water from old mining areas. I fell in love with the water sector and the bug has stayed with me. I’ve worked across the water sector in policy development, planning, construction, operations and maintenance, and now in sales. Water is fundamental to our health and well-being, to our economy, to our environment, to our future.

3. Thoughts on the importance of embracing equity in water

Water is life. I feel that women have a personal attachment to this, especially when you come from rural areas where there is little or no access to water at all. Growing up, we had to fetch water from a distance, and this was regarded as girls’ work – I’m sure in many communities this is still the case. When I joined the water sector, I realized it’s primarily a male-dominated space.

We – men and women – have to bring more women into this industry so we can change the dynamics of how we do business and bring our personal investment and our passion to solve water even more effectively.

My main wish is for everyone to have access to water. This would mean girls would have more time to concentrate on their education and careers, so we can develop a bigger pool of women who can then be part of this sector. This is the reason I enjoy being part of Xylem. In advancing our mission to solve water, we’re helping open up new opportunities for girls and women. We’re also helping make sure that women are sitting at the table when water is discussed, and women are leading change.

Karen Ulmer
Business Development Manager – Biogas  
Based in Herford, Germany

1. What are you working on now?

I’m working on developing Xylem’s Biogas business in the European Union and other countries. Biogas and biomethane are important ways to reduce energy dependency and generate energy with less-to-no carbon footprint. Through anaerobic digestion processes that use water, you can produce energy by converting sewage sludge and waste from agriculture, food and manure into biogas or biomethane. The biogas is used to produce heat and energy. When upgraded to biomethane, it’s turned into natural gas or fuel. With our expertise and technology, Xylem can help our customers find the right solutions to help produce efficient energy that’s more sustainable and cost-effective, and that advances the EU’s goal to achieve a target of at least 35 bcm annual biomethane production by 2030.

2. How did you find yourself working in water?

When I moved to Germany from the Philippines, I zeroed in on a few industries where I thought I would find purpose and make a difference. I saw the important work that Xylem does and found my purpose.

I was truly amazed by how engaged Xylem employees are in the company’s corporate responsibility program Watermark, where people volunteer to solve water for communities facing the toughest water and economic challenges.

Since joining the company, I’ve become an active volunteer too. During my first four years at Xylem, I worked in communications for our treatment business, where I contributed to many interesting projects, from a pilot project to make beer out of wastewater, to addressing the problem of micropollutants in waterways, and beyond. While earning my Master of Business Administration (MBA), I decided to do my thesis on sludge-to-energy, and now I am excited to be able to focus on this full-time.

3. Thoughts on the importance of embracing equity in water

Equity is a key issue for the water sector. Everyone has a right to water, and everyone has a right to help solve water. Equity helps make sure that a true cross-section of perspectives and ideas are brought forward. This makes decision-making and innovation more informed and more holistic. The water industry has historically been a male-dominated industry, but I see a lot of women who are making positive impact in this sector and are highly regarded by peers and colleagues at all levels. If our sector continues to make advances in promoting equity, we’ll do a better job of solving problems for our customers and communities, and attract the next generation of women leaders.

Natalia Kwiatkowska
Engineering Leadership Development Program – Process Engineer
Based in Milwaukee, WI, USA

1. What are you working on now? 

I’m part of the Engineering Leadership Development Program (ELDP), currently working with our process engineering team in our water treatment business based in Milwaukee. We work on preparing process designs and operational descriptions for new wastewater treatment plants. Following the design, our team travels to the plant site to train operators and troubleshoot their system. As an ELDP, I also focus on additional process improvement projects such as collecting operating data and simulating designs through BioWin modeling software. Soon I’ll be transitioning to my second rotation with the product management team for renewable strategy in Morrisville, N.C., where I will focus on our gas sustainability strategy for Xylem’s Sensus business, as well as continuous improvement of existing meter lines.

2. How did you find yourself working in water?

I became aware of the fragile state of the water ecosystem when the Flint, Michigan water crisis happened nearly a decade ago. When I entered college, I chose to study engineering, as I always had an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. When it was time to turn that experience into a full-time job, I began looking for companies that not only offered positions in my area of interest but were also working to solve major global issues. In 2022, I joined Xylem.

Working here has allowed me to learn about different water solution areas and applications across the water cycle, from clean water to storm water to wastewater – and how innovation and technology can help the world protect and optimize our most precious resource.

I’m proud to work for a company that provides clean water to homes, minimizes pollution in lakes and oceans, and continuously works to develop the next generation of water technologies.

3. Thoughts on the importance of embracing equity in water

At Xylem, we’re working to advance equity within our company and across the water sector. Why is this so important? With water challenges like water scarcity and affordability on the rise, the world needs to find new ways of thinking and problem-solving to better protect and manage water. Equity ensures that everyone has a chance to bring their talents to the table. By making sure that everyone has a voice, we can unlock new ways to solve the water challenges of our time – so we can make sure everyone has access to the clean water and safe sanitation they need to live healthy lives and thrive.

Alma Trnacevic
Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) Director, Emerging Markets
Based in United Arab Emirates, Dubai

1. What are you working on now?

I’ve just started an exciting, new role leading the Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) in the emerging markets region. I will be partnering with our local sites to find new ways to work together to further strengthen our supply chain and inventories strategies to better meet our customers’ changing needs. Two of our focus areas will be to reduce our product lead times, and to optimize our stock availabilities to be able to serve our customers better.

2. How did you find yourself working in water?

I grew up in Emmaboda, Sweden – the home of our largest Xylem factory – and have always been impressed by the way our company helps solve the world’s water challenges. During my school years, I did a summer internship with Xylem, and it was an easy decision from there to join the company and work in water. After a few years as a shipping specialist and later shipping manager, I was offered the opportunity to join our Xylem team in Dubai. This is where I have spent the past seven years working in different roles, most recently as a commercial operations manager. I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to be part of a world-leading company that has an important mission – solving water.

3. Thoughts on the importance of embracing equity in water

Water is essential to everyone – whoever or wherever you are. Water scarcity is one of the world’s biggest problems, more so now than ever, and there are many other water threats facing the world.

Equity plays a central role in promoting new ideas, encouraging participation and making people feel included. By making equity, diversity and inclusion a priority, we’re encouraging more people to be part of our mission and movement, so we can solve water in bold, new and impactful ways.

Learn more about Xylem’s commitment to diversity
 
Learn more about working at Xylem