People of Xylem: Solving global water challenges with a multi-generational workforce
The world’s water challenges are growing more complex – from rising pollution and extreme weather to the pressures of growing populations. As problems like water scarcity escalate, finding fresh, innovative solutions has never been more important. That’s where the power of a multi-generational workforce really comes into play.
Some of the best ideas come from teams that span generations. So, we sat down with three Xylem colleagues from different stages in their careers to hear how bringing together varied experiences and viewpoints can lead to new, impactful approaches for water operators and the communities they serve.
Katerin Alvino
Operations Manager
Lima, Peru
1. How long have you been working in the water sector and what drew you to work in water?
I’ve been working in the water sector for about a decade, nine of those years with Xylem. My first introduction to the water industry was at university, through a class called Turbomachinery. I was fascinated by the science of pumps, materials, treatment and maintenance. It wasn’t only the technical side that drew me in.
Growing up in Peru, I saw how serious water scarcity can be, and I wanted to be part of the solution.
Over the years, numerous people have helped me develop my skills and deepen my knowledge of the industry – starting with my parents, to our general manager in Peru, Armando Añasco, to our vice president of Latin America, Miguel Otarola, to our human resources manager at our Lima facility, Gloria Burga.
I do my best to continue this knowledge chain and pass what I’ve learned to my early career colleagues. It’s a virtuous circle that helps everyone – and benefits our customers.
2. How does a workforce that spans different generations help teams unlock new solutions for customers?
Having a multi-generational team gives us a better chance of developing a solution with a unique and impactful value proposition for our customers, because we bring different perspectives to the table. This sparks our creativity and allows us to unlock problems in new ways. To use a scientific analogy, to analyze a system, different observer points are defined to provide more inputs and deepen understanding.
In a multicultural workplace, different generations provide different observer points, so teams can innovate and solve problems as creatively and comprehensively as possible.
3. How do you see the water sector evolving?
I believe there will be an increasing need to help utilities and businesses optimize energy consumption across their water systems. Digital technologies, which gather and analyze data, bring incredible opportunities to deliver insights that can significantly improve energy savings.
Our job at Xylem is to partner with our customers to develop and implement solutions that can make a real impact for them, for their customers and for the environment. It’s exciting work, and I’m proud to play a role in helping make our planet more water-secure.
Malin Björklund
Project Manager
Emmaboda, Sweden
1. How long have you been working in the water sector and what drew you to work in water?
Xylem was my first job right after finishing my industrial engineering studies, and now I’ve been here for five years.
What gets me excited about working in the water sector is a sense of purpose. I feel like I’m part of an important mission: solving global water challenges.
At Xylem, we work across the water cycle – from digital solutions that optimize water quality and flow, minimize water loss, and prevent pollution to equipment and expertise that help boost community resilience to flooding and severe weather. There are unlimited opportunities across our company to make an impact.
2. How does having a workforce that spans different generations help teams unlock new approaches and solutions for customers?
To me, the biggest benefit is our variety of backgrounds and experience. As someone early in their career, my role is to be curious. One of my first roles at Xylem was in technical support. I worked on a product development project with my colleague who has been with the company for almost 30 years.
Our goal was to streamline production for a particular solution to improve efficiency and reduce costs for the customer. My colleague brought great historical perspective on why the product was hard to handle in production. I added fresh perspective by focusing on a simple question, “Why can’t we just do this instead?” From there, we collaborated and came up with a simpler, less expensive approach.
3. How have people from different generations helped you in your career?
I make sure to keep in close contact with my managers and colleagues. I haven’t had a formal mentor, but I always take the time to reflect on my work with my more experienced colleagues as well as peers. These conversations create a space where we can learn from one another and grow in our roles.
What’s especially motivating is knowing that my managers and coworkers care about my development and are invested in helping me succeed.
At the same time, I can contribute to others’ growth and to broader organizational goals through my role on Xylem’s Youth Advisory Board. In this position, I advise our senior European decision makers on key issues affecting Gen Z employees, helping to shape strategies that reflect the perspectives of younger team members. Being part of a multi-generational workforce is truly inspiring. My colleagues and I may be from different generations, cultures and parts of the world, but we all share a passion to build a more water-secure world.
Mark Newton
Vice President, Smart Metering
Morrisville, North Carolina
1. How does having a workforce that spans different generations help teams unlock new approaches and solutions for customers?
I’ve been part of the water sector since 1988 and joined Xylem 14 years ago. During my time in the industry, I’ve seen just how quickly technology is transforming the way we live and work. That rapid pace of change means organizations need to constantly evolve, especially when it comes to managing and analyzing new streams of data.
For solutions providers like Xylem, it is key to build multi-generational teams to stay ahead. When you bring people together with different experiences and perspectives, you gain a deeper understanding of the organizations we serve – what drives them, what their priorities are, and what their pain points are. That multi-faceted insight helps us deliver smarter, more effective solutions not just for our customers but for the communities they serve.
2. How have people from different generations helped you in your career?
Early in my career, I naturally gravitated toward more experienced colleagues who were hungry to teach. I knew I had a lot to learn, and they were generous with their knowledge. Now later in my career journey, I find myself inspired by the next generation.
Listening to and learning from early career talent is remarkably educational and insightful. Their fresh perspectives challenge me and help me grow in ways I never expected.
I make it a point to observe, embrace and celebrate young professionals. Their innovative thinking and ideas often result in truly breakthrough moments.
3. As someone who has dedicated your career to helping solve water and resource challenges, what are you most proud of?
Over the years, I’ve found that some of the most valuable lessons in my personal and professional life have come by recognizing who I don’t want to be and what doesn’t work. These moments have been just as important as the examples of what to do, because they helped me define my path with clarity. Anyone can find success by being true to who you are, rather than trying to fit a mold.
This perspective has helped me form some basic but powerful principles: Serve others and help them achieve what is important to them. Take time to understand, rather than rush to be understood.
Be trustworthy while explicitly showing trust. Focus on moving forward instead of who's to blame. Smile, hold a door open for someone, and reward achievement while staying humble. If you lead with these values, positive results will follow. Staying true to this belief is what I am most proud of!
Learn more about the power of a multi-generational workforce in Xylem’s 2024 Sustainability Report.