Elisa M. Speranza

Elisa M. Speranza "is president of CH2M HILL OMI, based in Denver. She was appointed to this position in January 2008.

"A recognized leader in the North American water profession, Speranza directs operations, administration and client relations for CH2M HILL OMI and is responsible for establishing and achieving the firm's vision, market strategy and performance objectives.

"Speranza joined CH2M HILL OMI after seven years with CH2M HILL's Water Business Group, serving in a number of leadership roles. Most recently, she led the group's Utility Management Solutions Service Team. Prior to CH2M HILL, Speranza worked for several consulting firms and operated her own consulting practice. From 1992 to 1996, she was deputy director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and previously was a project manager for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Earlier work focused on issues such as public housing, community development and mass transit.

"Speranza earned a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston College. She is the vice president of the global nonprofit Water For People, which helps provide clean water and sanitation solutions to people in developing countries; a past American Water Works Association Executive Committee member; and a past leader of several other water- and community-oriented organizations. Her work has been extensively published and presented, and in 2007 she received the AWWA's Outstanding Service award."