Episode 21, Season 2: Tom Muller, CEO of WaterAid Australia Guest: Tom Muller, Chief Executive, WaterAid Australia Utility Leaders Podcast What does it actually take to deliver sustainable access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, particularly in communities where infrastructure, funding and workforce capability can look very different to Australia? In this episode of the Utility Leaders Podcast, James Foden sits down with Tom Muller, Chief Executive of WaterAid Australia, to explore the work happening behind the WaterAid name and the role the Australian water industry continues to play in supporting that mission. Tom joined WaterAid Australia in 2015 following a career spanning international development and Australian social policy, including working in Afghanistan and homelessness services. After eight years as Director of Policy and Programs, he stepped into the Chief Executive role, overseeing WaterAid Australia's work across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Cambodia, alongside its broader regional engagement across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The conversation explores why delivering water and sanitation is far more complex than simply installing infrastructure. Tom explains how WaterAid focuses on understanding the local context, building capability and developing solutions communities and institutions can operate, maintain and finance over the long term. He also shares examples where technically impressive infrastructure has failed because the workforce, maintenance systems or access to replacement parts simply weren't there. Tom's journey from international development and human rights work to leading WaterAid Australia How WaterAid Australia operates across Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Cambodia The relationship between WaterAid Australia and the broader global WaterAid Federation Why access to water, sanitation and hygiene is fundamentally a human rights issue Why successful infrastructure needs to be designed around local context, capability and long-term sustainability The importance of local workforce capability, operations and maintenance How WaterAid works with governments, women's rights organisations, disability organisations and technical partners The role of gender, disability and inclusion in water and sanitation programs How WaterAid uses locally relevant communication, including netball in Papua New Guinea and traditional village law in Timor-Leste Tom's approach to leadership and building an open, transparent and inclusive organisational culture WaterAid's exploration of how it may contribute to First Nations water issues in Australia The relationship between WaterAid Australia and the Australian water industry Tom leaves the industry with an important challenge. Supporting universal access isn't only about donating money. He wants people working across Australia's water sector to continue using their knowledge, networks and influence to advocate for the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene within their communities, supply chains and with government. For an industry built around providing one of life's most essential services, it's a powerful reminder that access to safe water and sanitation still isn't universal. Connect with Tom Muller: Tom Muller on LinkedIn
