Dr. Tata has more than six decades of experience in the field of Water and Wastewater Treatment. He is serving as the Executive Director of the Center for Transformation of Waste Technology, Naperville, IL USA. He retired as the Head of the R &D Environmental Monitoring and Research Division, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL USA. He also served on the faculties of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL USA. He coauthored four books and published more than 150 papers and reports.
He received many awards.After his retirement from the Water Reclamatio District of Greater Chicago, he founded a nonprofit organization, Bharathi Theertha, in USA in 2003, and has been devoting his time in doing humanitarian service and projects in India.

Dr. Tata has more than six decades of experience in the field of Water and Wastewater Treatment. He is serving as the Executive Director of the Center for Transformation of Waste Technology, Naperville, IL USA. He retired as the Head of the R &D Environmental Monitoring and Research Division, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL USA. He also served on the faculties of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL USA. He coauthored four books and published more than 150 papers and reports.
He received many awards.After his retirement from the Water Reclamatio District of Greater Chicago, he founded a nonprofit organization, Bharathi Theertha, in USA in 2003, and has been devoting his time in doing humanitarian service and projects in India.

Lynn Broaddus, president of Broadview Collaborative, Inc., a platform for advancing sustainable, resilient practices in the water sector. She serves as a strategic advisor and facilitator for private sector, non-profit, and philanthropic clients throughout North America, and is known for bringing new ways of thinking to the crucial environmental challenges of our day. She is recognized as a thought leader advancing concepts of distributed water infrastructure, and for her 2019 report “Opportunities in Distributed Water Infrastructure”.

Prior work includes leading The Johnson Foundation’s environment program from 2008-2014, convening hundreds of leaders to address U.S. water sustainability and resiliency under the umbrella of “Charting New Waters”. Earlier she held leadership roles with Milwaukee Riverkeeper®, The Nature Conservancy and NatureServe, and has experience in energy conservation and teaching. She earned her Ph.D. from Duke University, her M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia. Lynn also serves as president for the Water Environment Federation, is past chair of River Network’s board, and member emerita (past chair) of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute Board of Visitors. She recently completed three years as a non-resident senior fellow with the Brookings Institution. Lynn is based in Minneapolis, MN.

Lynn Broaddus, president of Broadview Collaborative, Inc., a platform for advancing sustainable, resilient practices in the water sector. She serves as a strategic advisor and facilitator for private sector, non-profit, and philanthropic clients throughout North America, and is known for bringing new ways of thinking to the crucial environmental challenges of our day. She is recognized as a thought leader advancing concepts of distributed water infrastructure, and for her 2019 report “Opportunities in Distributed Water Infrastructure”.

Prior work includes leading The Johnson Foundation’s environment program from 2008-2014, convening hundreds of leaders to address U.S. water sustainability and resiliency under the umbrella of “Charting New Waters”. Earlier she held leadership roles with Milwaukee Riverkeeper®, The Nature Conservancy and NatureServe, and has experience in energy conservation and teaching. She earned her Ph.D. from Duke University, her M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia. Lynn also serves as president for the Water Environment Federation, is past chair of River Network’s board, and member emerita (past chair) of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute Board of Visitors. She recently completed three years as a non-resident senior fellow with the Brookings Institution. Lynn is based in Minneapolis, MN.

Brian has 25 years of experience working at the MWRD, a majority of it in the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Department. He began his career at the MWRD in 1993 and later was selected to lead operations at the Egan Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Schaumburg and at the Hanover Park WRP before being promoted to lead operations at the Calumet WRP in Chicago in 2005. Most recently, he served as Assistant Director of M&O.

Brian represents the MWRD in the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies and as a Past President. He is also a member of the Water Environment Federation.

Brian received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master’s degree in Business Administration in Finance from DePaul University.

Brian has 25 years of experience working at the MWRD, a majority of it in the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Department. He began his career at the MWRD in 1993 and later was selected to lead operations at the Egan Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Schaumburg and at the Hanover Park WRP before being promoted to lead operations at the Calumet WRP in Chicago in 2005. Most recently, he served as Assistant Director of M&O.

Brian represents the MWRD in the Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies and as a Past President. He is also a member of the Water Environment Federation.

Brian received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master’s degree in Business Administration in Finance from DePaul University.

Catherine O’Connor is the Director of Engineering for the MWRD. The Engineering Department is responsible for planning, design and construction of projects prioritized in the Capital Improvement Program and projects in the Storm water Management Program. The department also administers the county-wide Watershed Management Ordinance and regulates the construction and maintenance of local sewers which are tributary to the MWRD’s intercepting sewers. Catherine is involved in the efforts to manage storm water to build a resilient community and efforts to transform MWRD operations from waste treatment to resource recovery operations, particularly with phosphorus recovery and methane utilization projects.

Catherine is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois and has earned a Doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. Her doctoral research focused on removal and recovery of silver from dilute solution to support water reuse in industry.

Catherine O’Connor is the Director of Engineering for the MWRD. The Engineering Department is responsible for planning, design and construction of projects prioritized in the Capital Improvement Program and projects in the Storm water Management Program. The department also administers the county-wide Watershed Management Ordinance and regulates the construction and maintenance of local sewers which are tributary to the MWRD’s intercepting sewers. Catherine is involved in the efforts to manage storm water to build a resilient community and efforts to transform MWRD operations from waste treatment to resource recovery operations, particularly with phosphorus recovery and methane utilization projects.

Catherine is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois and has earned a Doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. Her doctoral research focused on removal and recovery of silver from dilute solution to support water reuse in industry.

Pat Merryweather-Arges is a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Naperville since 2002, and served as District 6450 Governor 2012-2013.

Pat is the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator and serves as the District International Service Chair. Pat served as the Zone 28-29 2016 Chair and Chair of the Presidents International Peace Conference held in Chicago   She served as the Club President and received her Club’s Rotarian of the Year and Four Avenues of Service Awards.   She has served the District as District Grants Chair for 3 years and Diversity Chair.   As a Rotarian Pat has traveled to about a dozen countries working on Rotary projects and has attended Rotary Day at the United Nations, and a Rotary Middle East Peace Conference  in Turkey.   Pat’s projects include solar ovens, water wells, and medical equipment and missions.   Pat has received the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award and the Rotary International Service Above Self Award.

Pat is Executive Director of Project Patient Care where she works with patients, families, and caregivers to have their voice heard in health and healthcare through advocacy, public health policy, and collaboration with providers.  Pat is married to George, a Rotarian, and they have four sons, three daughters-in-law, and vie grandchildren.

Pat Merryweather-Arges is a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Naperville since 2002, and served as District 6450 Governor 2012-2013.

Pat is the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator and serves as the District International Service Chair. Pat served as the Zone 28-29 2016 Chair and Chair of the Presidents International Peace Conference held in Chicago   She served as the Club President and received her Club’s Rotarian of the Year and Four Avenues of Service Awards.   She has served the District as District Grants Chair for 3 years and Diversity Chair.   As a Rotarian Pat has traveled to about a dozen countries working on Rotary projects and has attended Rotary Day at the United Nations, and a Rotary Middle East Peace Conference  in Turkey.   Pat’s projects include solar ovens, water wells, and medical equipment and missions.   Pat has received the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award and the Rotary International Service Above Self Award.

Pat is Executive Director of Project Patient Care where she works with patients, families, and caregivers to have their voice heard in health and healthcare through advocacy, public health policy, and collaboration with providers.  Pat is married to George, a Rotarian, and they have four sons, three daughters-in-law, and vie grandchildren.

Thomas Granato, Ph.D., BCES- Retired Director of Monitoring and Research for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District)

Dr. Granato holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science and a Master of Science degree in Soil Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Ph.D. in Environmental Soil Science at North Carolina State University.  He is a certified environmental scientist by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Dr. Granato, was the director of the Monitoring and Research Department of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, where he was employed for 29 years.  The Department conducts environmental monitoring to assess regulatory compliance and impacts of District operations, applied research to provide technical support for operations and administers the District’s Industrial Pretreatment and User Charge programs.  The Department also leads long term strategic capital planning.

Dr. Granato served on the national peer review panel for the development of the US EPA’s 40 CFR Part 503 biosolids regulation and conducted numerous studies to support the practice of land application.  He was chair of the Illinois Water Environment Association’s Biosolids Committee and Vice Chair of the Water Environment Federation’s Microconstituents Community of Practice.  He was a member of the Water Environment Research Foundation’s Research Council for 6 years, he served on the editorial boards of several scientific journals including Water Environment Research, and he is currently an Adjunct Lecturer in the Civil and Materials Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Dr. Granato has authored or coauthored two book chapters and more than 100 peer reviewed articles and technical reports.

Thomas Granato,
Ph.D.,
BCES- Retired Director of Monitoring and Research for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District)

Dr. Granato holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science and a Master of Science degree in Soil Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Ph.D. in Environmental Soil Science at North Carolina State University.  He is a certified environmental scientist by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Dr. Granato, was the director of the Monitoring and Research Department of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, where he was employed for 29 years.  The Department conducts environmental monitoring to assess regulatory compliance and impacts of District operations, applied research to provide technical support for operations and administers the District’s Industrial Pretreatment and User Charge programs.  The Department also leads long term strategic capital planning.

Dr. Granato served on the national peer review panel for the development of the US EPA’s 40 CFR Part 503 biosolids regulation and conducted numerous studies to support the practice of land application.  He was chair of the Illinois Water Environment Association’s Biosolids Committee and Vice Chair of the Water Environment Federation’s Microconstituents Community of Practice.  He was a member of the Water Environment Research Foundation’s Research Council for 6 years, he served on the editorial boards of several scientific journals including Water Environment Research, and he is currently an Adjunct Lecturer in the Civil and Materials Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Dr. Granato has authored or coauthored two book chapters and more than 100 peer reviewed articles and technical reports.

Ruth Abbe Zero Waste USA President. Ms. Abbe will talk about Best Practice for Cities in the USA. Ruth Abbe is the president of Zero Waste USA, the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance. The mission of Zero Waste USA is to inspire communities to embrace and achieve Zero Waste. She is a Zero Waste practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in recycling and composting program and facility development. As the principal of Abbe & Associates LLC, she is working with municipalities across the U.S. to develop the social and physical infrastructure to achieve Zero Waste. In her home city of Alameda, California she is a grassroots leader with Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA).

Ruth Abbe Zero Waste USA President. Ms. Abbe will talk about Best Practice for Cities in the USA. Ruth Abbe is the president of Zero Waste USA, the national affiliate of the Zero Waste International Alliance. The mission of Zero Waste USA is to inspire communities to embrace and achieve Zero Waste. She is a Zero Waste practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in recycling and composting program and facility development. As the principal of Abbe & Associates LLC, she is working with municipalities across the U.S. to develop the social and physical infrastructure to achieve Zero Waste. In her home city of Alameda, California she is a grassroots leader with Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA).

Cliff Haefke has 19+ years of experience in the energy industry and is the Director of the Energy Resources Center (ERC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The ERC is an interdisciplinary public service, research, and special projects organization that works to improve energy efficiency and the environment, providing expertise in the areas of energy efficiency, distributed generation, and biofuels/bioenergy. Cliff serves as Director of the U.S. DOE Midwest and Central Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships, the Assistance Director of the U.S. DOE Industrial Assessment Center, and as President of the Midwest Cogeneration Association. Cliff has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UIC and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business.

Cliff Haefke has 19+ years of experience in the energy industry and is the Director of the Energy Resources Center (ERC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The ERC is an interdisciplinary public service, research, and special projects organization that works to improve energy efficiency and the environment, providing expertise in the areas of energy efficiency, distributed generation, and biofuels/bioenergy. Cliff serves as Director of the U.S. DOE Midwest and Central Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships, the Assistance Director of the U.S. DOE Industrial Assessment Center, and as President of the Midwest Cogeneration Association. Cliff has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UIC and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business.

Shilpa Alva is the Founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water, a Chicago based nonprofit that has provided safe water and sanitation solutions to 1 million people in 11 countries. The spark that led Shilpa to the founding of Surge, started when she was just 7 years old, while visiting extended family in India. However, after graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, she joined the Corporate world. From here, she enjoyed rapid early career success, earned her MBA, and continued up the Corporate ladder. Eventually, Shilpa came to the realization that she was not living in alignment with her purpose. This led to Surge’s eventual founding and to her leaving a successful career and secure lifestyle. This leap of faith has led to great things, both through the joy she experiences in her purpose-driven life and through the communities benefiting from Surge’s work.

Shilpa Alva is the Founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water, a Chicago based nonprofit that has provided safe water and sanitation solutions to 1 million people in 11 countries. The spark that led Shilpa to the founding of Surge, started when she was just 7 years old, while visiting extended family in India. However, after graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, she joined the Corporate world. From here, she enjoyed rapid early career success, earned her MBA, and continued up the Corporate ladder. Eventually, Shilpa came to the realization that she was not living in alignment with her purpose. This led to Surge’s eventual founding and to her leaving a successful career and secure lifestyle. This leap of faith has led to great things, both through the joy she experiences in her purpose-driven life and through the communities benefiting from Surge’s work.

Mary grew up on Water Street in Watertown, Wisconsin, and gave her first talk on water at age 10. After receiving a Bachelor degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an MBA from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, Mary went on to work for Accenture, Dale Carnegie, Envestnet Wealth Management and Tech Image.

She created and ran an Internet Agency that played a key role in two Internet firsts, the first futures exchange on the Web and the first real-time futures trading site.

Mary came back to water by way of a Pakistani water charity. Her search for a replacement for their 30-year-old RO system introduced her to WEFTEC, leading to a partnership with Israel’s NewTech to promote the 2016 Israel/California Water Conference. Since then, she has helped create and sponsor 6 water industry events, 40 roundtable programs and 30 expert videos. She was named one of 100 Water Heroes in the #Running Dry campaign for her efforts to advance global water security with the development and promotion of smart water technologies. She is an active member of WEF, AWWA, the Smart Water Alliance Network, Alliance for Water Efficiency and the Water Pro Community. Her personal network of water industry professionals numbers in the 10s of 1000s, and spans the globe.

Her company Global Water Works finds customers for water technology companies. By partnering with industry experts who understand how the water industry operates to support engagement and education, Global Water Works is able to cut the normal water technology adoption time of 10-30 years down to under three years.

Mary grew up on Water Street in Watertown, Wisconsin, and gave her first talk on water at age 10. After receiving a Bachelor degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an MBA from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, Mary went on to work for Accenture, Dale Carnegie, Envestnet Wealth Management and Tech Image.

She created and ran an Internet Agency that played a key role in two Internet firsts, the first futures exchange on the Web and the first real-time futures trading site.

Mary came back to water by way of a Pakistani water charity. Her search for a replacement for their 30-year-old RO system introduced her to WEFTEC, leading to a partnership with Israel’s NewTech to promote the 2016 Israel/California Water Conference. Since then, she has helped create and sponsor 6 water industry events, 40 roundtable programs and 30 expert videos. She was named one of 100 Water Heroes in the #Running Dry campaign for her efforts to advance global water security with the development and promotion of smart water technologies. She is an active member of WEF, AWWA, the Smart Water Alliance Network, Alliance for Water Efficiency and the Water Pro Community. Her personal network of water industry professionals numbers in the 10s of 1000s, and spans the globe.

Her company Global Water Works finds customers for water technology companies. By partnering with industry experts who understand how the water industry operates to support engagement and education, Global Water Works is able to cut the normal water technology adoption time of 10-30 years down to under three years.