About the Programme
Embark on a transformative journey with the IWA LeaP, the International Water Association’s Leadership Programme for Young Water Professionals.
This initiative is your gateway to professional empowerment, realising your potential and expanding your horizons. IWA LeaP beckons for 12 exceptional young water professionals from diverse backgrounds and regions to rise to the leadership challenge. Fuelled by curiosity and courage, participants will take part in a transformative journey.
Over 12 months, participants will forge robust professional networks and enhance their leadership skills to become the leaders that they want to be. It is not just about learning – it is about living the experience. Participants will be challenged, rewarded, and empowered as they elevate their strategic vision and leadership capabilities
Who is it for?
High-potential emerging Young Water Professionals who are looking to:
- Transform their leadership – empowering them to think and act globally.
- Build confidence to inspire and influence others – accelerating their impact at a local, societal and global level.
- Learn how to adapt and thrive in ambiguous, complex, fast-changing environments.
- Strengthen their foundations for future success, overcoming personal or professional barriers.
- Raise their impact and visibility within IWA with the potential to take on leadership roles in the organisation in the Association over the coming years.
What will the candidates gain?
- Clarity and understanding of your leadership purpose, strengths and legacy.
- Develop your leadership qualities such as compassion, courage and curiosity.
- Expand your influence and impact to effect change locally, systemically and globally.
- Greater clarity and confidence in how you lead and how you inspire and enable others.
- Be part of a diverse group of Young Water Professionals, united by shared purpose within the IWA community
What will the candidates do?
- 4 days of retreat in a remote setting in November 2024.
- 4 hours a month of preparation and project time.
- 5 hours a month in virtual learning, coaching or project team meetings.
- 1 virtual session in September 2025.
- Attendance at the 2026 IWA WWCE in Glasgow, Scotland, UK
2024-2025 IWA LeaP Cohort announced!
During the Opening Ceremony of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, the first cohort of IWA LeaP, the leadership programme for Young Water Professionals, was announced. Congratulations to the selected candidates!
Bénigne Ishimwe Mugwaneza
Rwanda
Chotiwat (CJ) Jantarakasem
Thailand
Federick Pinongcos
USA
Igor Luketina
Austria
Laurence Strubbe
Switzerland
Linda Li
Canada
Matthew MacRorie
United Kingdom
Natalie Páez-Curtidor
Colombia
Oscar Timothy Balongo
Tanzania
Shivon Mehta
India
Yaw Abrampah
Ghana
Yumeng Zhao
China
Hear from the founding donors
IWA LeaP is supported by the EWL Endowment Fund. Founding donors Glen and Patty Daigger see that their generous contribution is a way of creating a lasting legacy.
“The thing about an endowment is that it is sustainable,” says Patty. “It is evergreen. It goes on forever.
“We are hoping that by doing this we will encourage young water professionals from around the world to step up and to become the next generation of leaders in the field and to carry the sector forward.
“From our perspective, our contribution is a start to grow something that contributes to the existing excellent YWP programme.”
Glen, a past IWA President, adds: “We understand how essential water is for human life and to sustain the environment. We understand what life as a water professional can mean, both for the individual, but also for the contribution that one makes.”
