Board of Directors

President

Patricia Lindsay-Harvey

Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority

Patricia Lindsay-Harvey is a lifelong environmental advocate and water-sector leader whose passion for protecting natural resources began at an early age. Appointed as a Commissioner to the Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority (WMUA) in 2020, she has served as Board Chair since 2023 and has been a staunch advocate for responsible water and wastewater management, infrastructure, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. She is a co-founder and currently serves as President of the Black Water Professionals Alliance (BWPA), working to increase the visibility, leadership, and opportunities of Black professionals in the water sector. A champion of workforce development, Patricia created the first U.S. Department of Labor-approved registered pre-apprenticeship program specifically designed to introduce high school students to careers in the water industry, helping to build the next generation of water professionals while creating pathways to meaningful careers.

Vice President

Nicole Brown

GFT

Nicole Brown is a passionate advocate for sustainability with over 25 years of experience in water and wastewater treatment. As a seasoned design engineer and project manager, she has successfully led initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of municipal systems. She serves on multiple boards in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Chairing the Board of Directors for the NJ Chapter of AWWA from 2026-2027. As the Water Growth Lead for GFT, Nicole leads water and wastewater projects with a strategic, systems-level mindset. She never forgets that infrastructure is not just about pipes and pumps, it’s about people, ecosystems, and long-term resilience. 

Treasurer

Timothy Alston

Gary Sanitary District

Timothy D. Alston, is an environmental engineer, utility leader, and Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Black Water Professionals Alliance, Inc., where he works to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the water industry. He serves as Plant Superintendent of Operations and Maintenance at the Gary Sanitary District in Gary, Indiana, overseeing wastewater treatment operations, regulatory compliance, and system performance to protect public health and regional water resources. With over a decade of experience spanning environmental engineering, project management, and community engagement—including prior work on EPA Superfund and environmental remediation projects—Timothy is committed to driving operational excellence and sustainable infrastructure. He is also a Board Director for the Alliance for the Great Lakes and an active contributor to several professional organizations, notably the Chicago Professionals Chapter of NSBE. A passionate mentor, his work has helped students secure millions in scholarships and achieve college success. Timothy holds a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Claflin University.

Secretary

LaShone Bedford

Great Lakes Water Authority

LaShone Bedford is the Strategic Planning and Development Director in the Water Operating Services group for the Great Lakes Water Authority. A Detroit native, she has built her career in the water sector with a focus on strategic leadership, operational excellence, and creating opportunities for others to grow within the industry.  She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Cum Laude) from Walsh College, with a concentration in Human Resources, and a Master of Science in Finance. LaShone is also a licensed F-3 Water Operator, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.  LaShone has been an active leader in the water industry, particularly through her involvement with the Michigan Section of AWWA. She has served as Vice-Chair of the Communications Council and the Education and Training Committee, and currently serves as a Board Trustee. She is also a strong advocate for engagement and mentorship, helping to connect professionals to opportunities within the field.  Passionate about representation and inclusion, LaShone served as Chair of the Women on Water (W.O.W.) network from 2019 to 2024, where she helped expand a space for connection, support, and advancement. As a Black woman in the water sector, she is committed to uplifting and empowering Black water professionals and ensuring that the industry reflects the communities it serves. She is driven by the belief that access to safe, reliable water is not only essential—but that those who protect it should be just as diverse and resilient as the communities depending on it.

Board Member

Tosin Adetutu

Axiom Black LLC

As the President of Axiom Black and a Supervising Engineer for the City of Newark's Water and Sewer Utilities, Tosin brings a multifaceted approach to solving complex infrastructure and technological challenges. With a foundation in mechanical engineering and a unique background spanning aerospace engineering, environmental and utility systems, he exemplifies innovative leadership that bridges private consulting and public sector engineering. His expertise in technology innovation, digital transformation and ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions across diverse sectors, combined with a hands-on role in municipal utility infrastructure ensures a deep understanding of real-world operational challenges. Holding NJDEP W3, C2, and T2 operator licenses, Tosin combines technical depth with strategic vision, driving modernization and sustainability across both private and public domains.

Board Member

Gabriel Evans

HDR

Gabriel Evans is a Utility Management Consultant at HDR, where he supports municipal utilities with strategic planning, organizational enhancement, and infrastructure modernization. Previously with the U.S. Water Alliance, he worked on workforce development, utility transformation, and emerging water, energy, and data center challenges. Gabriel holds an MBA from Arizona State University, a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, and a bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College. He is a FASPE Business & Ethics Fellow, recipient of the Arizona Governor’s Office of African American Affairs Unsung Hero Award for Sustainability, and a recipient of the Water Environment Federation’s Public Communication & Outreach Program Award. A published author, industry speaker, and alumnus of AWWA’s Transformative Water Leadership Academy, Gabriel previously served as Secretary of the Black Water Professionals Alliance and remains active across water and infrastructure leadership organizations.

Board Member

Mila K. Marshall Ph.D

Sierra Club IL Chapter

Mila holds a PhD in ecology and works to mobilize and energize diverse networks across Illinois around clean water issues related to wastewater, agriculture and industry. She advocates for novel partnerships that protect the quality of streams, lakes, rivers, and Illinois tributaries for all. Furthermore she addresses the legacies of water infrastructure disinvestment by building bridges towards solutions through connecting and educating the scientific and legislative communities at the city, county and state levels. She serves as the Clean Water Advocate for the Illinois Sierra Club Chapter, is the CEO of the Chicago Area Waterways Heritage Committee, President of the Black Women Boaters Club - Chicago Chapter and editor at Chicago News Weekly. Finally Dr. Marshall serves the State of Illinois as a member of the Groundwater Advisory Board and Natural Resources Advisory Council.

Board Member

Garrett Skinner

GHD