Talking H2Onestly

Talking H2Onestly’s mission is to develop content to help MSD and utilities across the United States to solve their water challenges and share their expertise. This podcast will aim to provide all utilities with access to vital information, enabling them to maximize their funding and staffing resources. In addition, these conversations will provide an avenue for rate payers to gain insight into the intricate and complicated issues utilities face in providing critical services to our communities and introduce the audience to a variety of dedicated water professionals.

Talking H2Onestly is produced by Ms. Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director at MSD and the Chair of the WEF Utility Management Community, with the support of Mr. James A. Parrott, Executive Director and CEO of MSD. “This podcast will provide a variety of perspectives from across America. We hope that this is not only helpful for utility employees, but also helpful for local communities and political stakeholders as well,” explained Mr. Parrott.

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Talking H2Onestly

DEI State of the Union

April 23, 2025 • Louisville MSD • Season 1 • Episode 4

This episode of the Talking H2Onestly podcast is focused on the State of Diversity, Inclusion, and Identity (DE&I) in the water industry. The podcast examines current issues, strategies, and approaches around DE&I that utilities, organizations and private firms are using in the water industry. The discussion included different perspectives from across the water industry, including from leading utilities, national water organizations and private sector firms. In particular, the discussion focused on understanding the current legal and legislative perspectives for DE&I in the industry, how these programs can affect supplier diversity and affordability programs, as well as impacts on workforce development, recruitment and retaining talent in the water industry.

The panel included a group of exceptional leaders in the water industry including:

Kellie Watson, General Counsel and Legal Director, Louisville MSD
Steve Hamai, Senior Director of Culture and Belonging, WEF
Terrence Jennings, Utility Policy Manager, City of Baltimore, Public Works
Gary Haubner, Vice President, Regional Manager, and Director of Employee Engagement, Hazen and Sawyer

Talking H2Onestly is produced by Ms. Zonetta English, Strategic Initiatives and Project Delivery Director at MSD and the Community Leadership Council Chair for Resilience for WEF, with the support of Mr. James A. Parrott, Executive Director and CEO of MSD. Talking H2Onestly’s mission is to develop content to help utilities across the United States solve their water challenges and share their expertise. This podcast will provide all utilities with access to vital information, enabling them to maximize their funding and staffing resources. In addition, these conversations will provide an avenue for rate payers to gain insight into the intricate and complicated issues utilities face in providing critical services to our communities and introduce the audience to a variety of dedicated water professionals.