Abstract: Good technical and analytical work is the foundation of every successful project, but by itself, it is not enough to ensure that a needed project moves from the drawing table to the ribbon cutting.  Ms. Menard will describe key lessons learned during a 40-year career as local government water utility leader and manager to achieve success in moving projects through their development and approval processes.  Using real-life examples, she will share her tried-and-true approaches to the development of strategies for successfully getting to yes.

Bio: Rosemary Menard developed her expertise in strategic management, organizational development, team building, utility and operations analysis, and problem-solving during 40+ years of public-sector water utility experience. Before joining the City of Santa Cruz as Water Director in January 2014, Rosemary held executive level water utility leadership roles with the cities of Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Washoe County in Reno, Nevada. Her strategic analysis, communication, organizational development, and negotiating skills have helped her successfully develop and implement a diverse array of initiatives during her career. During her ten years as Water Director in Santa Cruz she led a community-based water supply planning effort that produced a consensus-based plan of action for addressing and resolving Santa Cruz’s long-standing water supply reliability issue. She has also initiated a major water system reinvestment effort involving investing and reinvesting in water system infrastructure to increase resilience and prepare for climate change.