Meaningful Conversations with Annyse

Annyse Balkwill
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Meaningful Conversation is a heartfelt series of discussions led by Annyse Balkwill, featuring inspiring female leaders from the water industry and beyond.With warmth and compassion, Annyse and her guests explore the possibilities for a future shaped by equity and inclusion, envisioning a world we want our sons and daughters to thrive in. Together, they delve into what our homes, systems, and organizations could look like if they genuinely valued and embraced women of all backgrounds.By stepping into a space of imagination, these conversations allow us to pause, reflect, and uncover our true desires. In this creative state, we unlock the potential to envision—and ultimately create—a future that reflects the power of inclusion and possibility.

  1. FEB 23

    Be Bold. Regenerate. Leave It Better Than You Found It.

    In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse sits down with Dr Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water — a visionary leader with a PhD in physical chemistry and a passion for building cultures where innovation can truly thrive. Angela chose the Bold card, and from that simple starting point, a rich conversation unfolded around regeneration, roots, diversity, and what it really takes to create lasting change in the water sector. What We Explore in This Episode Regeneration as a Leadership Philosophy For Angela, regeneration is about strong roots and solid foundations. Without purpose and diversity, nothing sustainable grows. It’s about planting the right seeds now for a future we may not immediately see. The Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival Now approaching its 10th year, the festival has grown from six design sprints and 900 attendees to: 53 sprints3,000+ participants39 countries45 sectorsOne early sprint led to the creation of the UK’s National Underground Asset Register, now a government-run platform improving safety and saving billions. Proof that bold ideas, nurtured well, create real impact. Innovation Is a Contact Sport Angela shares why innovation must be done with people, not to people. From engaging senior leaders to empowering frontline teams, culture is everything. With a central team of nine, they’ve built a network of over 200 Innovation Ambassadors across the organisation. Today, innovation is a core pillar at Northumbrian Water, with a measurable goal: 40% of employees actively involved. Creating the Conditions for Innovation Compassionate leadershipFamily-first valuesA four-day working weekSpace for thinking and reflectionUsing AI to remove repetitive tasksPsychological safety to ask for helpAngela reminds us that tired, stressed humans struggle to innovate. Space and empathy are not soft extras — they are strategic necessities. A Wiggly Career Path From leaving school at 16 to earning a PhD, working at Procter & Gamble, launching a product still on shelves 26 years later, building a lifestyle business, and eventually finding her home in the water sector — Angela’s journey is a powerful reminder that careers don’t need to be linear to be impactful. Key Themes Regenerative leadershipDiversity as a driver of innovationDesigning environments where bold ideas can growStewardship of water and natural systemsLeaving organisations and people better than you found themShow notes  Northumbrian Water - Northumbrian Water | Supplying water and Sewerage Services in the North East of EnglandNorthumbrian Water Innovation Festival - The FestivalOfwat funding – Water innovation competitions - OfwatDerek Siver, how to create a movement - Derek Sivers: How to start a movement | TED TalkNational Underground Asset Register (NUAR) - National Underground Asset Register (NUAR), Northumbrian Water Group and a Culture of Innovation – Geospatial Insights

    43 min

  2. FEB 9

    What truths are we avoiding in the water sector?

    In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, we sit down with Alisha McFetridge, founder of Rainstick, for an honest and timely conversation sparked by one simple prompt: Truth. Alisha shares an analogy many of us know too well  - coming home from a great vacation and avoiding checking your bank account. In the water sector, we often do something similar: prioritising short-term costs and quarter-by-quarter wins, even when we know those choices carry long-term consequences. We explore how today’s infrastructure still benefits from leaders who thought 100 years ahead and why returning to cathedral thinking feels both difficult and necessary right now. This conversation touches on: Why real innovation takes timeHow systems change requires educationWhy policy often lags behind what’s possibleAnd why bold decisions rarely happen aloneAlisha’s journey building Rainstick offers a grounded reminder that progress doesn’t come from pretending we have all the answers.  It comes from honesty, courage, and collective effort. There is hope.  Municipalities are asking better questions.  Communities are coming together differently.  And more leaders are willing to say: we need to do better together. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and create space for the real conversations the future of water demands.

    51 min

  3. JAN 28

    Meaningful Conversations — Growth, Innovation, and the Future of Water

    In this episode of Meaningful Conversations, we sit down with Kamakshi Sharma, Director of Marketing & Strategy at Aquatech, to explore what growth truly means for the future of the water industry. Kamakshi leads Aquatech’s global marketing and communications efforts and plays a central role in shaping market and business strategy across the organization. At a time when climate change, water scarcity, and rapid urbanisation are reshaping our world, water is no longer an afterthought—it’s at the centre of global, industrial, and municipal decision-making. Kamakshi shares why the industry is at a pivotal moment, with unprecedented opportunity to influence how we manage and protect this critical resource. From the rise of innovative membrane technologies and ZLD/MLD solutions to increased collaboration between industry partners, we discuss how technology, regulation, and co-development are accelerating change. Kamakshi also highlights a powerful cultural shift—greater diversity in the sector and more women entering the industry earlier than ever before. The conversation goes deeper into water reuse, closed-loop systems, and the growing focus on recovering value from water, not just treating it. Together, we tackle one of the most pressing questions of our time: can we overcome water scarcity in a way that leaves the planet with better water quality for future generations? This episode offers a hopeful, grounded perspective on where the biggest impact can be made—and why industrial and agricultural reuse will play a critical role in shaping a more sustainable water future. 🌊 A thoughtful and inspiring conversation about growth, responsibility, and what’s possible when water moves to the forefront.

    36 min
  4. An Audacious Conversation on Human Flourishing with Eleanor Allen

    JAN 12

    An Audacious Conversation on Human Flourishing with Eleanor Allen

    To open Season 2 of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse is joined by Eleanor Allen, CEO of the World Flourishing Organization and founder of Catapult for Change, for a powerful, reflective conversation on leadership, audacity, and what it truly means to flourish at work. Eleanor’s career spans Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and startups across more than 50 countries. She has held senior leadership roles at Arcadis, CH2M (now Jacobs), B Lab Global, and Water For People, and is a registered Professional Engineer and member of the National Academy of Engineering. Across every chapter of her work, a clear thread emerges: tackling big, complex, “wicked” problems through human-centred leadership. In this episode, Eleanor chooses the Audacious card - a word that deeply reflects her life and leadership. From applying for the Audacious Project while at Water For People, to imagining nationwide water services in Rwanda, to her passion for ultra-distance cycling, Eleanor shares how audacity is where life feels most alive, connected, and purposeful. Together, Annyse and Eleanor explore Eleanor’s current focus on human flourishing  and why it may be one of the most important frontiers for leadership today. Drawing on insights from the Global Flourishing Study (a five-year study of over 200,000 people across 23 countries), Eleanor shares the six core elements people need to flourish: happiness, financial stability, purpose and meaning, character and virtue, mental and physical health, and strong social relationships, all of which can, and should, be supported at work. The conversation also dives into: Why fear-based systems limit creativity, courage, and impactHow perfectionism shows up in engineering and leadership culturesThe importance of psychological safety, consistency, and intention in organizational transformationWhy the water sector is uniquely positioned to lead the way in human flourishingHow flourishing can spread — from individuals to teams to entire organizationsA central question we sit with throughout the episode: What becomes possible when work is designed for flourishing instead of fear? Because when people flourish, organizations do too. 🎧 Listen now and join us as we begin Season 2 with an audacious invitation to rethink leadership, work, and the future of the water sector. Mentions in podcast:  The Audacious Project - Housed at TED, The Audacious Project is a funding initiative that encourages the world’s greatest changemakers to dream bigger. We shape their ideas into viable multi-year plans and launch them to the world alongside visionary philanthropists.Water for People - Water For People exists to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments.Ultra CyclingB-Lab - B Lab is the nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.Global Flourishing Study - The Global Flourishing Study explores six domains valued across countries and cultures. The Secure Flourishing Index (SFI) measures these through targeted survey items, with the first five domains pursued for their own sake and financial stability providing the foundation. When financial stability is omitted, the measure becomes the Flourishing Index (FI), while contextual factors help understand environments where flourishing thrives.Gallup workplace study

    47 min

  5. 09/22/2025

    Curiosity, Storytelling & Resilience in Water with Kate Brown

    In the final episode of Series 1 of Meaningful Conversations, Annyse sits down with Kate Brown, Principal Technical Consultant at ERM and former leader of Procter & Gamble’s 2030 Water Positive Future program. With more than 25 years of experience in global sustainability, Kate has built and led water programs that balance business needs with watershed resilience. In this conversation, she shares why curiosity is her guiding principle and how asking better questions, telling better stories, and slowing down to listen can shape the future of water. From real stories of ingenuity in communities facing water scarcity, to lessons learned inside global manufacturing sites, Kate brings both professional expertise and deep personal insight into how we can all become better stewards of water. What you’ll hear in this episode: 💧 Why curiosity is about more than facts - it’s about wonder, empathy, and possibility  💧 How storytelling can transform the way people see and value water  💧 Stories from Mexico and beyond that reveal the realities of water access  💧 The importance of slowing down to listen and how it can dissolve assumed problems  💧 What watershed resilience means and why long-term thinking matters  💧 How purpose and diversity of perspectives drive stronger sustainability outcomes Quote from Kate: ✨ “You’re sometimes just one question away from something very interesting.” Show Notes  ·        The Thin Book of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work ·        Alliance for Water Stewardship ·        Constructed wetlands  ·        Biomimicry

    49 min

  6. 09/08/2025

    Power, Purpose, and the Future of Water: A Conversation with Brianne Nakamura

    What does power really mean in the future of water? Is it about technology, policy, or something more personal — our individual influence and the culture we create? In this episode, we sit down with Brianne Nakamura, a second-generation water engineer, innovator, and connector with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Currently Global Product Manager at Xylem’s Pure Technologies brand, Bri has also led open innovation at Xylem Innovation Labs and served as Practice Leader of Innovation at the Water Environment Federation. In 2022, she was named WEF’s Outstanding Young Professional. Together, we explore:  💡 The “Power” card — and what it reveals about influence and possibility in water’s future  💡 The importance of mentorship and how intentional team culture can unlock collaboration  💡 Attracting and supporting the next generation of diverse leaders through WEF’s InFLOW program  💡 Why innovation in water goes far beyond technology — and how outside perspectives are key  💡 How reconnecting water to joy, humanity, and storytelling can transform our industry If you’re passionate about leadership, innovation, and building a more inclusive and joyful water industry, this conversation will inspire and challenge you. Links: Water Environment Federation Xylem Innovation Labs American Waterworks Association Society of Women Engineers WEF Inflow programme Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)Imagine H20BlueTech Research  WASH

    45 min

  7. 08/04/2025

    Disrupting with Purpose — A Conversation with Dr. Mirka Wilderer

    In this powerful episode, Annyse is joined by Dr. Mirka Wilderer, CEO of AqueoUS Vets, a leader known for scaling organizations and nurturing meaningful innovation in the water industry. Together, they dive deep into the topics of disruption, co-creation, consistency, and trusting the unknown. Mirka shares her perspective on how the water industry can break free from outdated paradigms by inviting in diverse voices, asking new questions, and creating space for co-created solutions that serve the needs of our evolving world. This is a must-listen for leaders, changemakers, and anyone passionate about purpose-driven work, inclusive innovation, and the future of water. In This Episode, We Explore: What “Consistency” really means in an industry that needs transformationWhy innovation is more about application than inventionHow Mirka sees disruption as a creative, trust-building forceThe importance of bringing in non-traditional talent and new perspectivesWhy the next generation’s purpose-driven mindset is critical for the water sectorHow co-creation unlocks unexpected and lasting solutionsMirka’s own story of growing businesses, leading through crisis, and finding strength in trusting her teamKey Takeaways: Disruption doesn’t mean chaos — it means evolving with intentionTrust is the foundation of all co-creative processesTo move from one level of organizational maturity to the next, we need different questions and different voicesThe water industry must evolve to welcome talent from diverse backgrounds and industriesWe don’t need all the answers — we need a willingness to sit with the unknown and allow new solutions to emerge

    40 min

  8. 07/21/2025

    Telling Water’s Story Out Loud with Kendra Morris

    💧 “We quietly protect public health. But it’s time to tell water’s story out loud.” — Kendra Morris, CEO, Regulated Water, Veolia North America Kendra Morris brings a city planner’s vision and a bold, hopeful outlook to the water sector. In this episode, we explore how water leaders can balance compliance with affordability, think in 100-year cycles, and use storytelling as a tool for trust, talent, and transformation. 🎧 Listen in to hear: Why innovation goes beyond techHow shared purpose can dissolve barriersWhat it means to lead water into the future👉 Available now wherever you get your podcasts. Show Notes  ·        Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink, Seth M. Siegel  ·        WEST of USA – trading rights to share and move water  ·        USA Public Water Systems ·        Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI)   ·        Water Documentary: Our Blue World  ·        Orange County Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS)  ·        The Good Ancestor, How to Think Long Term in a Short-Term World, Roman Krznaric ·        Water Environment Federation  ·        Water Reuse Organization   ·        American Water Works Association

    43 min
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Meaningful Conversation is a heartfelt series of discussions led by Annyse Balkwill, featuring inspiring female leaders from the water industry and beyond.With warmth and compassion, Annyse and her guests explore the possibilities for a future shaped by equity and inclusion, envisioning a world we want our sons and daughters to thrive in. Together, they delve into what our homes, systems, and organizations could look like if they genuinely valued and embraced women of all backgrounds.By stepping into a space of imagination, these conversations allow us to pause, reflect, and uncover our true desires. In this creative state, we unlock the potential to envision—and ultimately create—a future that reflects the power of inclusion and possibility.

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