The Leadership Institute is strategically crafted to provide a forum for new and emerging water industry leaders to build their personal leadership style and skills by offering a balanced blend of discussion-oriented presentations and experience-based, hands-on skill-building. What makes the Iowa Water Industry Leadership Institute distinctive is that the curriculum has been customized to the unique leadership demands of Iowa's water professions.

There is a clear need for high-quality leadership throughout all segments of the water industry in Iowa. Too often, individuals are promoted based on their leadership potential and are left to develop their personal leadership skills on their own. This program is specifically tailored to provide the next generation of industry leaders with a framework to grow their own unique leadership vision and style.

The Leadership Institute provides an unparalleled peer-to-peer networking opportunity with both current and future industry leaders. Participants have a chance to hear firsthand from current and past leaders from around the state who will share their personal leadership journeys and philosophies. A key element of the course is the interaction among the participants as they discuss and debate the many challenges and opportunities facing leaders in today’s water profession.

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Ideal Participant

The Institute is designed to foster leadership growth in new organizational leaders as well as aspiring leaders. As such, the most successful participants will have at least three to five years of experience in any facet of the drinking water or wastewater profession. Attendees should either have recently become a formal leader or be at a point in their career progression that movement into a formal leadership position is likely within the next few years. The program has been designed to provide value to leaders in utilities, consulting firms, manufacturing and sales companies, contractors, and regulatory agencies.

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Program Format, Schedule & Topics

The program consists of two back-to-back sessions in May, then one session each month from June through September. The Institute wraps up with two consecutive days in October including presentations given by the Institute cohort at the Iowa Section AWWA’s Annual Conference. Each session involves short presentations by subject matter experts from around the state, with an emphasis on engaged interactions among the program attendees. Advance work is often required ahead of each session to allow the time together to be as productive as possible. With the exception of the final presentations, all sessions will be fairly informal; business casual attire is appropriate.

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2026 sessions are scheduled as follows:

• May 27-28, Ames: Leadership Foundations & Effectively Leading Teams

• June 30, Des Moines: Handling Difficult Discussions

• July 21, Johnston: Leadership Ethics / Leadership Roundtable

• August 18, Ankeny: Public Relations

• September 15, West Des Moines: Personal Leadership / Emotional Safety

• October 21, North Liberty: Organizational Culture / Wrap up

• October 22, Coralville: Conference/Team Presentations

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The topics may be rearranged should presenter and facility availability change.

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Expectations

The Leadership Institute is designed as an experiential learning program. The ultimate value of the program depends heavily on the full engagement and participation of all participants. There is no substitute for being present at each session. Attendees are expected to attend every session. Without attendance by every participant, the experience is diminished for all members of the cohort.

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Attendees are expected to arrive for sessions fully prepared by completing any advance reading or assignments. Every participant is expected to engage fully with speakers and other class members at all sessions. Above all, participants should come prepared to have fun while growing their individual leadership skills!
 

Continuing Education Unit Credits

Cohort members who attend all sessions are eligible to claim approximately 20 hours of continuing education credit that can be claimed in Water Treatment or Water Distribution, or 16 hours that can be claimed in Wastewater Treatment, or a combination of WT, WD and WW (hours cannot be counted in more than one area). Licensed engineers can claim approximately 35 Professional Development Hours that includes 4 hours of professional ethics. Since the first day of the Iowa Section AWWA Annual Conference is included with your Institute registration, additional water CEU’s and PDH's can be earned through the conference.

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Tuition

Tuition for each participant is $1,260 for IA-AWWA and IAWEA members, or $1,460 for nonmembers, and covers all program fees (books, training materials, lunches, and morning and afternoon refreshments). The tuition also includes a one-day registration for the Iowa Section-AWWA’s Annual Conference, when the team projects will be presented.

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While you may choose to make a refundable credit card payment at the time of application, payment is not required until after you have been notified that you have been accepted into the 2026 Institute.

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Application Details​

Interested individuals must complete the online application. Applicants should be prepared to:

• Provide a brief description of their primary work responsibilities.

• Share their number of years (1) in the water profession, (2) in current position, and (3) in direct supervisory responsibility, if any.

• Provide a brief (one paragraph) summary of their educational and employment background, including any fields of study, degrees awarded, and relevant professional accreditations, certifications, or licenses. Note that degrees and licenses are NOT required. This information simply helps the selection committee balance the diversity of the cohort.

• Provide a brief (one paragraph) summary of what the applicant considers to be their greatest career achievements to date.

• Provide a brief (one paragraph) summary of civic, business, professional, and volunteer activities they have participated in, especially during the past five years.

• Provide a short essay on why they wish to participate in the Iowa Water Industry Leadership Institute, what they hope to gain from their participation, and how they think the program will help them achieve their future career goals.

• ​​Submit a Letter of Recommendation from their Employer or Supervisor.

• ​Submit a completed and signed Employer Agreement.

• Agree to the Registration & Attendance Policies.