Ready, Set, Network!
 
															Downstream brings current and future water professionals together to connect, bridge the skills gap, and drive clean water solutions for Canadians.
Event in April
Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant, Toronto
9 Leslie St, Toronto, ON M4M 3M9
April 8, 2025
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM (EST)
Special opportunity to tour Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of Canada’s largest and oldest facilities, located in Toronto’s east end.
Event in April
Event Location
Ashbridges Bay, Toronto
April 8, 2025
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How does Downstream work?
Early career professionals and students are invited by program directors and industry organizations in partnership with Water Canada magazine to attend a 2-3 hour event that provides the opportunity to learn from and network with experts representing different streams of Canada’s water sector. The event features micro-sessions: roundtable discussions led by experienced water professionals, where students participate in focused conversations addressing three key questions related to the table’s specific topic:
- What are the trends in this stream?
- What are the challenges?
- What are the opportunities for early career professionals?
Students cycle from table to table, engaging with experts from various sectors, asking questions about career opportunities, and building connections to help launch their careers.
How do students benefit from Downstream?
- Students come away with key contacts and information that provides direction and opportunities for career growth
- A better understanding of potential career paths that are available to them
- Opportunity to connect with other early career professionals
How do industry professionals benefit from Downstream?
- Industry professionals (AKA “experts”) get early access to emerging talent, helping to identify and recruit top candidates.
- Serving as mentors enhances experts’ own leadership and communication skills while reinforcing commitment to supporting the industry’s growth.
- Supporting and engaging with students aligns with organizational goals related to social responsibility, addressing the “S” in ESG by investing in community and workforce development.
 
															 
															 
															 
											 
											 
											Partners
Thank You to our Downstream Partners!
Partner with Downstream to help close the skills gap!
Sponsoring Downstream is more than just an investment—it’s an opportunity to drive real change in Canada’s water sector. As a sponsor, you’ll take action to help close the skills gap while positioning your organization as a changemaker across Water Canada’s print, digital, and experiential platforms.
- Gain early access to Canada’s top emerging talent and insights into attracting and retaining early career professionals.
- Join a vibrant community of post-secondary institutions, private sector businesses, industry associations, and government initiatives, all working together to shape the future of water.
- Plus, it’s a meaningful ESG investment, allowing you to demonstrate your social commitment to the Canadian water industry while addressing the “S” in your ESG responsibilities.
For more information on sponsoring Downstream, contact Vanessa Watson at [email protected]
Experts Directory
Downstream events thrive thanks to our expert volunteers. These experienced water industry professionals share valuable insights into diverse roles across the sector, from drinking water and wastewater to stormwater, conservation, and beyond. Representing municipalities, Indigenous communities, clean tech, academia, consulting, and more, they help participants identify opportunities, offer tailored advice, and inspire meaningful connections.
Meet the experts by browsing our Experts Directory.
 
															Valerie Jenkinson
Founder and Chair,
Operators Without Borders
With over four decades of leadership across five continents, Valerie Jenkinson has made an extraordinary global impact on the water sector. As Founder and Chair of Operators Without Borders, she leads emergency deployments and technical training programs that support disaster recovery and capacity building in vulnerable regions. Valerie is also the CEO of World Water and Wastewater Solutions Ltd., one of Canada’s largest water-sector training firms, providing over 70 accredited courses and certification preparation to professionals across the country. Her earlier work as President of Nova Quality Research influenced provincial training standards, and her 25-year tenure as an instructor at BCIT cemented her expertise in adult education. Her dedication extends to numerous advisory and governance roles, including with Wastewater Education and the UN’s Global Wastewater Initiative. Valerie’s career is defined by her commitment to knowledge-sharing, international collaboration, and building operational resilience in water systems worldwide.
 
															Thomas MacPherson
Manager, Transportation Asset Management Manager,
York Region
Thomas is a practiced people leader with extensive experience in strategic planning facilitation and developing high performance team cultures. His aim is to facilitate the development of authentic personal and organizational character, as this character is what underpins the success of people-oriented organizations and communities. Thomas has taken the knowledge gained through researching leadership and organizational performance and applied it through coaching and mentoring leaders who are seeking innovative ways to navigate career opportunities.
Thomas continues to lead municipal infrastructure revitalization and improvement programs, with a drive towards improved infrastructure investment planning. Thomas makes data driven decisions using spatial analytics and collaborative engagement to ensure organizational performance metrics are met responsibly and sustainably. He has led and facilitated many advancement projects ranging from climate change action planning to community education to 100-year infrastructure investment modelling.
Thomas is the past Industry Chair of the Seneca Polytechnic Civil Engineering Technology Program Advisory Committee and past Chair of the Municipal Alliance for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in Ontario. Thomas holds diplomas and degrees from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Thomas is known for his raw energy, light-hearted personality, and work ethic.
 
															Jeff O’Driscoll
Branch Manager,
Associated Engineering
Jeff O’Driscoll, P.Eng., is the Infrastructure Division Manager at Associated Engineering’s Winnipeg office, bringing over 30 years of experience in civil engineering. He specializes in assessing climate change resilience for infrastructure and holds the Infrastructure Resiliency Professional (IRP) designation from Engineers Canada. Jeff has been involved in climate risk assessments across Canada and internationally, including the first application of the PIEVC Protocol for the City of Portage la Prairie’s waterworks infrastructure in 2007. He actively contributes to professional organizations, serving on the Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba Sustainable Development Task Group, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Manitoba Board, the American Waterworks Association Board, and the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association Climate Change Committee. Additionally, he chairs Associated Engineering’s Climate Change Advisory Group.
 
															David Unrau
Chief Administrative Officer,
City of Pembroke
David Unrau is currently the Director of Public Works for the Town of Petawawa. He brings with him more than 20 years of municipal experience, having held similar roles in other municipalities including the City of Pembroke. David also brings similar expertise from employment in the private sector (CNL) as well as federally through positions held with Defence Construction Canada. His skillset includes those in management, leadership, communications and critical thinking. He has proven to be an excellent resource on the Board and has voluntarily participated in and attended many other meetings and functions in order to gain more knowledge about the Hospital and the Board. He also sits on the Ottawa River Energy Solution Board and national/provincial committees on Asset Management, Active Transportation and Vision Zero.
 
															Kiersten Runte
BFP Communications Coordinator,
SOI Foundation / Blue Future Pathways
Kiersten Runte is a marine researcher and science communicator, working with the Blue Futures Pathways (BFP) Program led by the Students On Ice Foundation as a BFP Communications Coordinator. With passion for science communication and storytelling, and over 5 years experience working in Canada’s ocean innovation and research space, they’ve fostered skills in project management, graphic design, photography, videography, technical writing, workshop development, science education and outreach. Kiersten’s background in marine mammal acoustics led them to investigate a mystery beaked whale signal, where a passion for creating marine educational programming for youth and communicating science to non-science audiences was kindled. They completed the Dalhousie University’s Indigenous studies certificate program, located on the unceded territory of Mi’kma’ki people. They are also an alum of BFP’s first cohort of interns and hopped aboard the first dedicated BFP expedition back in 2023.
Interested in becoming an expert? Contact Corinne Lynds at [email protected]
Get Involved
Getting involved with Downstream is a truly rewarding experience. By paying it forward to the next generation, you’ll help shape the future of Canada’s water sector. Whether you’re recruiting the brightest minds or simply sharing your journey, spending time with these future leaders is both energizing and impactful. Experts and students alike leave inspired and motivated, discovering new opportunities to collaborate and drive meaningful change.
There are four ways you can get involved with Downstream:
- Register as a student or early career professional and attend an Upcoming Event (link).
- Volunteer as an industry expert.
- Host a Downstream event on your campus or at an industry conference.
- Partner with us as a sponsor to drive change in Canada’s water sector by closing the skills gap, accessing top emerging talent, and positioning your organization as a leader committed to shaping the future of water.
Past Events
Contact Us
Volunteer as an expert: [email protected]
Sponsor Downstream: [email protected]
Host an event: [email protected]
 
	