David Ryan | Chief Executive, SA Water
David is a dynamic water industry leader, known for shaping contemporary organisational culture to deliver water services oriented around the continual improvement of customer experience.
In his current role as Chief Executive of SA Water, David leads one of Australia’s largest integrated water utilities, serving more than 1.8 million customers across urban, regional and remote areas.
By championing key values fostered through his background in regional Australia, such as sustainability, diversity and customer-centricity, David works to ensure water services help build and enhance communities and enable economic development.
Prior to joining SA Water, David was Managing Director of Melbourne’s City West Water, and held executive roles at bulk water company Melbourne Water in operations and capital delivery, waterway management and customer solutions.
Program Committee Members
Darryl Day I Principal and Director, Wongulla Waters Pty Ltd
Darryl Day has held senior executive roles in the water industry for over forty years and has held non-executive Board roles in water research and industry associations. Darryl served as President of the Australian Water Association (2005 – 2007) and has been announced as an IWA Distinguished Fellow in 2024.
Bridget Lindsay | Senior Civil Engineer, WSP
Bridget brings over a decade of experience in South Australia’s water industry. She has held roles at SA Water and Pinion Advisory, and is currently a Senior Civil Engineer at WSP. Bridget is passionate about fostering strong stakeholder relationships and delivering sustainable, optimal solutions backed by sound engineering knowledge. Her early exposure to the health and social challenges of water use in various countries overseas ignited her...
Dr Lionel Ho | Senior Manager Water Expertise, SA Water
Lionel has over 25 years’ experience in the water industry. He is currently SA Water’s Senior Manager Water Expertise, where he leads a team of 29 water professionals. Lionel has been a leader in the Australian Water Association, International Water Association and the Water Industry Alliance for many years.
Sally Armstrong | Head of Strategy and Innovation, TasWater
Sally is a creative and outcome focussed leader with over 20 years’ experience in the Australian and International water sectors. Her career primarily spans utilities and NFPs in strategy, transformation, innovation and ESG. She has a passion for leading into the possible to deliver societal and environmental benefits, and is an advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Joanne Chong | Commissioner (Environment), Productivity Commission
Joanne Chong is Commissioner (Environment) with the Productivity Commission, where she has led inquiries including on water policy, drought policy, and the circular economy. Jo has also previously held roles at CSIRO and the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney, where she collaborated with research-practice partners across Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
Nina Braid | BA, MMgmt, Dip Gov, MAICID
Nina is an Aboriginal woman from far-north South Australia. She has eight years' experience working in and with communities for conservation and environmental purposes as a project manager at the Indigenous Land Corporation and is also a board member for Trust for Nature.
Clare Porter I Head of Strategic Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Sydney Water
Clare is the Head of Strategic Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at Sydney Water and has spent more than 20 years working across Australia and internationally in policy, strategy, culture and sustainability. Clare is passionate about water and the water sector; including all it contributes to the life that we live, the environment and biodiversity.
Thanh Cao | Construction Director, Sunwater
Thanh is an experienced civil engineer with a multidisciplinary construction background across water, major earthworks, roads, rail, and resource infrastructure projects. At Sunwater, his primary focus is on infrastructure development and delivery and prides himself on safe and consistent project delivery to a high standard by promoting resourcefulness, innovation, and flexibility.
Helen Forte | Head of Asset Strategy - Assets Planning and Delivery Group, Water Corporation
Helen has over 18 years experience in the Western Australian water industry working in policy and strategy roles within government agencies, as well as, a number of roles within the Water Corporation. Helen is currently Head of Asset Strategy at the Water Corporation and has responsibility for asset management governance, setting strategic direction for asset outcomes, plus more.
AWA Committee Members
Corinne Cheeseman | CEO, Australian Water Association
Charlotte Allam | Head of Events, Awards and Digital, Australian Water Association
Laura Steffan | Senior Event Manager, Australian Water Association