October 27, 2020 Session I of the conference, "Water: Access, Supply, and Sustainability" Water: Access, Supply, Sustainability is an online, multidisciplinary conference exploring complex water related topics and connecting water management issues of vital importance to Kansas City, the Heartland, and, indeed, the world. Through online resources and live sessions, participants will examine how diverse communities are working to provide access to clean water for their members, explore the engineering and economics behind management of our water ways, and learn innovative yet practical approaches for sustaining our fresh water resources. Moderated by world-renowned oceanographer, Dr. David Gallo, a diverse lineup of speakers including community leaders, scientists, engineers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs will discover connections and provide an interdisciplinary lens through which the future of water can be examined. Participants: Conference moderator: Dr. David Gallo, Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives and Programs at RMS Titanic Inc. Previously, he was Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at the Center for Climate and Life of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Prior to that he was Director of Special Projects for 28 years at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a preeminent, globally recognized scientific laboratory. Siddhartha “Sid” Roy served as a student leader and communications director of Virginia Tech’s 45-member Flint water research team, leading part of a scientific and humanitarian battle alongside Flint residents to uncover environmental injustice and a public health crisis. Dr. Roy earned his bachelor’s of technology in chemical engineering from Nirma University in India and master’s and doctoral degrees in environmental engineering and civil engineering respectively from Virginia Tech. Gary White is co-founder and CEO of Water.org and WaterEquity, where he leads the organizations to create and execute market-driven solutions to the global water crisis. Gary’s entrepreneurial vision drives innovations in the way water and sanitation projects are delivered and financed, innovations that now serve as a model in the water and sanitation sector. Emma Robbins is director of the Navajo Water Project, which provides infrastructure for Navajo families to access running water in New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. According to the project, Native American households face barriers to accessing running water, including about 30 percent of families on the Navajo reservation that do not have running water. Robbins joined the project after growing up in an area with a high concentration of water poverty. She is a Diné artist and uses her work to raise awareness about the need for clean water across all Native American nations. She is also an Aspen Institute Health Communities Fellow.  Tracy Streeter joined Burns & McDonnell in 2018 in a new role where he provides consulting and project development support for water resource agencies and municipalities with public water utilities. Streeter served 33 years in positions related to Kansas water resource management, including 14 years as director of the Kansas Water Office (KWO), where he was responsible for water resource management and planning, drought declarations, and other state-wide management issues. During his tenure at KWO, Streeter served as chairman of the Governor’s Drought Response Team, and in 2013 was appointed to co-lead the development of a 50-Year Water Vision for Kansas.

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