Reimagining WASH for Resilient Futures: Introducing the CWEEL Innovation Challenge
Includes a Live Web Event on 10/07/2026 at 10:00 AM (EDT)
-
Register
- Non-member - Free!
- Member - Free!
Webinar Information
| Virtual |
| October 7, 2026 |
| 0.0 AEE Credits | 0.0 CEU |
Pricing
AEE Member | Free!
Non-Member | Free!
Registration Instructions
1. Select the green 'Register' button to begin the registration process.
2. Login to your AEE account. If you do not remember your password, please select the "forgot password" option.
3. If you are not an AEE member, you will be prompted to create an account and submit payment for the webinar.
4. Submit your registration. Shortly after, you will receive an email to confirm and a receipt if you submitted payment.
Webinar Description
A virtual webinar, held over 1 hour.
This presentation introduces the CWEEL WASH Innovation Challenge, a structured, time-bound, crowdsourced initiative designed to mobilize innovators worldwide to reimagine Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems for a more resilient future. In this session, presenters will walk attendees through each aspect of the challenge: pre-launch stakeholder outreach and the global dissemination strategy; idea submission, screening, and evaluation processes; finalist pitches and winner selection criteria and process. Attendees will learn how the initiative has potential to advance workforce development, grow CWEEL’s international membership by 15% in CY26, and generate thought leadership that positions AEE/CWEEL as a global leader in applied innovation beyond conferences and certifications.
About the Presenters
Kjrsten Bobb, PE, CEM, serves on the CWEEL Governing Board and is chair of the CWEEL International Programs and Events Committee. She has been a key contributor to the CWEEL WASH Innovation Challenge, leading its global dissemination strategy and stakeholder outreach.
Dr. Vidya Chandran is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at SCMS School of Engineering and Technology in Ernakulam, Kerala. With more than 17 years of experience in higher education, she specializes in fluid-structure interaction, offshore hydrodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and marine renewable energy systems.
Wendi Durham is the Innovation Program Manager at Stanley Consultants, where she leads firm-wide efforts to advance innovative solutions and programming. In her role supporting the CWEEL WASH Innovation Challenge, Wendi brings expertise in program design and cross-functional collaboration to help structure and advance the challenge from concept to execution.
John Guilfoyle is the Chief of Technology and Innovation at Stanley Consultants, where he leads the firm’s efforts to deliver pragmatic, data-driven solutions across public and private sectors. With over 25 years of experience, John specializes in strategy, information technology, infrastructure management, and business process optimization.
To learn more about Kjrsten, Vidya, Wendi, and John visit the 'Presenter' tab.
Kjrsten Bobb
Client Service Manager
Stanley Consultants
Kjrsten Bobb, PE, CEM, serves on the CWEEL Governing Board and is chair of the CWEEL International Programs and Events Committee. She has been a key contributor to the CWEEL WASH Innovation Challenge, leading its global dissemination strategy and stakeholder outreach. Kjrsten is a Client Service Manager at Stanley Consultants with more than 30 years of experience leading infrastructure, asset management, utility operations, and capital improvement initiatives in the public and private sectors.
Dr. Vidya Chadran
Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering
SCMS School of Engineering and Technology
Dr. Vidya Chandran is Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at SCMS School of Engineering and Technology in Ernakulam, Kerala. With more than 17 years of experience in higher education, she specializes in fluid-structure interaction, offshore hydrodynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and marine renewable energy systems. She earned degrees in Power Engineering and Technical Translation from RUDN University in Moscow and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Karunya Institute of Science and Technology. Dr. Chandran has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to funded research on hydro vortex power generation, micro wind turbines, emergency ventilators, and green hydrogen. She is active in CWEEL and AEE and received AEE’s 2022 South Asia Region Energy Professional Development Award.
Wendi Durham
Innovation Program Manager
Stanley Consultants
Wendi Durham is the Innovation Program Manager at Stanley Consultants, where she leads firm-wide efforts to advance innovative solutions and programming. In her role supporting the CWEEL WASH Innovation Challenge, Wendi brings expertise in program design and cross-functional collaboration to help structure and advance the challenge from concept to execution. She is an active member of the Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership (CWEEL), and her work on the Innovation Challenge reflects CWEEL’s mission to advance women’s leadership and drive global impact at the energy–water–sanitation nexus.
John Guilfoyle
Chief of Technology and Innovation
Stanley Consultants
John Guilfoyle is the Chief of Technology and Innovation at Stanley Consultants, where he leads the firm’s efforts to deliver pragmatic, data-driven solutions across public and private sectors. With over 25 years of experience, John specializes in strategy, information technology, infrastructure management, and business process optimization. John holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from St. Mary’s University and is a recognized voice on people-first approaches to artificial intelligence and augmented design in engineering.
Key:
Complete
Next
Failed
Available
Locked
