Work for WSP, globally committed to supporting Water For People

August 22, 2022

Increasingly across the world, women are choosing employees that maintain a strong focus on sustainability - and WSP is one such employer consistently noted for its work supporting access to clean water and sanitation for all.

WSP cares about water. The company has made a global commitment to Water For People which is an international non-profit organization that aims to bring water, sanitation, and hygiene services to everyone, and to make sure those solutions last forever.

WSP's water and environment practice integrates a diverse set of core services, planning, design, program and asset management, construction support and alternative project delivery, with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape to provide a single source for addressing environmental, sustainability and water challenges.

WSP is an employer that cares for water

WSP's global commitment to Water For People aligns well with WSP’s 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, that establishes UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 as a priority, access to clean water and sanitation for all.

Water For People provides a natural platform for WSP employees to bring their passion for, and expertise in, water. The USA, Canada and the UK are leading the initiative with an impressive line-up of awareness-building and fundraising activities that will complement the corporate commitment.

In addition, WSP is building a strong network of employees who believe in and support Water For People’s mission. To raise awareness, they have committed to sharing their personal experiences related to the lack of access to clean water and what motivated them to work in the field.

Working for water quality and accessibility can be very rewarding

“Water is a fundamental necessity for life. It is always in demand and thus the supply is in a perpetually constant flux. As such, it is imperative that comprehensive and equitable policies be realized as issues of water quality and accessibility become more pronounced,” says Michal Helman [pictured above], Advisory Services, Community Engagement & Equity Consultant for WSP in the United States.

WSP understands the value of water

According to the United Nations, worldwide, one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water, two out of five people do not have a basic hand-washing facility with soap and water, and more than 673 million people still practice open defecation.

When key stakeholders such as communities, government agencies, funding agencies and tech companies work in unison to tackle the water access, sanitation and hygiene challenge, progress can be made. Join this unique panel to discover how each stakeholder plays a critical part in the creation of sustainable and viable ecosystems and learn about lessons learned and best practices applied in various parts of the world.

To support its part in bringing influential voices to the table on the topic, WSP is hosting a global panel of experts to discuss Advancing Solutions to Water Access, Sanitation and Hygiene. The unique panel is addressing how each stakeholder plays a critical part in the creation of sustainable and viable ecosystems and showcases lessons learned, and best practices applied in various parts of the world. The event begins with an opening remark by Karen Block, National Water Executive, WSP in the USA and is moderated by Andrea Gysin, Net Zero and Innovation Director, Water, WSP in the UK.

The global panel of experts also includes: Madjid Mohseni, Ph.D., P.Eng, Professor, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada, Nancy Sutley, Chief Sustainability Office, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Marina Takane, Technical Officer with World Health Organization, Jonny Harris, Founder & Director, Isidima, Samson Hailu Bekele, Co-CEO, Water for People.

WSP is a company with visionary women

WSP's Karen Block [pictured above] brings 28 years of experience to role with the company, as Business Development Director of the Water and Environment Business at WSP USA, where she focuses on growth and development of the firm’s water and environment business. She is responsible for client engagement and business development activities, as well as identifying new opportunities that will diversify the business across geographies, sectors and services.

"Growth and development in urban areas, combined with the continuing challenge of aging infrastructure are putting tremendous burden on our clients. Karen’s long tenure with WSP puts her in a strong position to ensure our clients have access to the full capabilities of our firm,” says Steven Paquette, President of the U.S. Water and Environment Business for WSP USA. “...we have significant plans to grow and diversify, to help our clients address the most pressing issues of their communities."

Karen has served in multiple roles since joining WSP in 1997, most recently as strategic planning manager for the firm's U.S. transportation and infrastructure business. She previously held strategic sales roles for the firm’s transportation and infrastructure, water and environment, and advisory services businesses.

Her experience with WSP includes three years in the Middle East and Northern Africa, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where she led business development activities for the firm’s 13-nation, 600-person region. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen is a past president of the Houston chapter of WTS International.

Work at WSP in a water-related role

WSP’s water and environment practice integrates a diverse set of core services—planning, design, program and asset management, construction support and alternative project delivery—with a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape to provide a single source for addressing environmental, sustainability and water challenges.

Learn more!