Water Leaders

Water Leaders 2025

Water Leaders 2025 applications are now open! Please click here to view the 2025 program page. 

Taking leaders to the next level

Recognized as the premier leadership development program for the water community in Colorado, WEco’s Water Leaders Program aims to positively impact the Colorado water profession by creating a pipeline of dedicated, effective water leaders across diverse fields who exemplify the four quadrants of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social management.

Water Leaders Program overview

Since 2006, Water Education Colorado has trained 262 water sector professionals through the Water Leaders Program. The program continues to evolve to include the most advanced development tools that help people who have already demonstrated a tremendous commitment to water become more effective and capable in charting the path forward toward innovative and collaborative water solutions in an increasingly complex environment.

The overarching themes and objectives of the program remain consistent from year to year. We explore topics such as understanding yourself as a leader, developing your leadership style, building more effective teams, navigating conflict, change management, managing your energy, and designing your leadership legacy. We also focus on personal development in response to the ever-present work-life balance challenges that most professionals juggle on a daily basis. This component has helped participants experience increased effectiveness and fulfillment in both their professional and personal lives.

Water Leaders 201

The Water Leaders 201 advanced training is open exclusively to Water Leaders Program alumni and is intended to build upon previous leadership training received through WEco to help sharpen your skills in a particular area. 

Water Leaders Alumni can stay tuned for a Water Leaders 201 coming this spring (2025). 

What recent graduates are saying

“The Water Leaders Program has opened my eyes to what it takes to be a successful leader and to navigate complex interpersonal communications and relationships in a productive and positive manner.”

“There is something special about receiving feedback from peers in your industry that you do not work directly with. I was able to bounce ideas off of them and get meaningful feedback.”

Water Leaders alumni form an active group that engages in networking events and regular ongoing leadership offerings. View a full list of Water Leaders Program alumni.

Learn more

Have more questions about Water Leaders? Please contact Programs Director Sabrina Scherma.