WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 3, 2012 -- Dan Bena, Senior Director of Sustainable Development for PepsiCo, and Mary Ann Dickinson, Executive Director for the Alliance for Water Efficiency have joined the U.S. Water Alliance's Board of Directors. Their membership increases the scope of an already diverse Board dedicated to uniting people and policies for water sustainability. "We're honored global water leaders, like Dan and Mary Ann, are joining the Alliance," explains President Ben Grumbles. "Water, energy, and food are all connected. Bringing together many voices and perspectives helps us advance a "one water" vision for sustainable policies throughout America."
Both of the new Board members will be featured in presentations at the upcoming Urban Water Sustainability Leadership Conference in Cincinnati, October 15-17. Their presentations and emphasis on partnerships is a reflection of the leadership they will bring to the Board. Bena will talk about the critical need for innovative and less traditional partnerships for water sustainability. Dickinson will showcase the Blueprint for Action, a collaborative effort between the Alliance for Water Efficiency and The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. In its third year, the Leadership Conference has become a focal point for shifting the paradigm to green infrastructure, resource recovery, and innovative partnerships.
Dan Bena is currently the Senior Director of Sustainable Development for PepsiCo, serving as liaison between technical functions, government affairs, public policy, and field operations to develop key strategies and messaging to internal and external stakeholder groups. In 2009, Dan was appointed to the Steering Committee of the United Nations CEO Water Mandate, and also serves on the Mandate's working groups for Water as a Human Right and Water Policy Engagement. He was inaugural Chair of the Water Resources Committee of the Washington-based American Beverage Association for Sustainable Development. Bena also serves on the Board-sponsored Public Health Committee of the Safe Water Network. He is a contributing member to the Water Leadership Group of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, serves on the Global Agenda Council for Water Security of the World Economic Forum, and is a member of the Steering Council of the 2030 Water Resources Group. In 2009, he was invited by the mayor of his city to serve on a new Sustainability Advisory Board; the city is one of only three nationwide selected to pilot a new sustainability planning tool kit.
Mary Ann Dickinson is the President and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the efficient and sustainable use of water in the United States and Canada. The Alliance works with over 350 water utilities, water conservation professionals in business and industry, planners, regulators, and consumers. Mary Ann has over 35 years of experience in water resources and water efficiency. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Mary Ann currently serves as Chair of the Efficient Urban Water Management Specialist Group for the International Water Association, past Chair of the American Water Works Association National Water Conservation Division, serves on the boards of the Texas Water Foundation and River Network, and sits on the California State University's Water Resources and Policy Initiatives Advisory Board. Mary Ann has presented numerous papers on water conservation internationally and all across the United States and Canada.
For more information, contact Lorraine Koss at 202.533.1819, or email [email protected].
About the U.S. Water Alliance
The U.S. Water Alliance (formerly Clean Water America Alliance) was formed in 2008 as a 501c3 nonprofit educational organization whose goal is to unite people and policies for "one water" sustainability. A broad cross-section of interests is coming together through the Alliance to advance holistic, watershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges.
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