Advancing Water Stewardship in the Great Lakes

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Watch the webinar recording below!

Containing 20% of earth’s surface freshwater, the bi-national North American Great Lakes maintain vital ecosystems, support numerous industries, and play an important role in the wellbeing of the region’s millions of residents. 

With this vast freshwater resource, it is not uncommon for companies operating in the region to mistakenly think they are immune to the impact of today’s water challenges; but the truth is, they carry heightened responsibility to ensure this valuable resource is used wisely and is protected for present and future generations. 

In this month’s webinar, we took a close look at the principles of water stewardship, discussed corporate responsibility with respect to water practices, explored the value of a verified water stewardship program, and learned what companies can do to understand their water use and assess their associated water risks.

Event Speakers: 

Matthew Howard, Vice President, Water Stewardship, The Water Council

Matt oversees The Water Council’s sustainability and stewardship initiatives, which initially focused on establishing the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) System globally with specific oversight of North America. He created the world’s first professional credentialing program for water stewardship professionals and made the business case for use of the International Water Stewardship Standard (“AWS Standard”) in the North American marketplace.

Matt also oversees The Water Council’s corporate water stewardship programs and advisory services. He has over 15 years in sustainability program development and management, including five years as Milwaukee’s sustainability director. 

Ed Ferguson, Chief Sustainability Officer, BlueTriton Brands

Ed Ferguson is a purpose-driven strategist and innovator who combines an engineering background with an entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen to deliver creative business opportunities for a better world.

With over ten years in the beverage industry, first at Anheuser-Busch and now with BlueTriton Brands, Ed has a robust background in manufacturing supply chains, innovation, and sustainability. His primary focus is to empower supply chains to adapt to the growing demands of today while also innovating for a better tomorrow and long-term sustainability.

Event Moderator: 

Lora Shrake, Senior Program Director, Business and Sustainability, Council of the Great Lakes Region

With over 20 years of experience, Lora has dedicated her career to the environment and sustainability issues. Her management and leadership spans across non-profit operations, environmental program management, stakeholder engagement, strategy, and research.

Prior to joining CGLR, Lora led a national green building council in the United Arab Emirates where she oversaw all aspects of the organization’s cross-functional development, including its impact and reach.