The Canadian Municipal Water Consortium is a national network of utility leaders who share a common goal of advancing municipal water management. Its strategic advisory committee supports greater alignment between the consortium’s priorities and members’ needs.
Alicia Fraser
General Manager, Integrated Water Services
Capital Regional District (CRD)
As the general manager of integrated water services, Alicia is responsible for the operation, maintenance, infrastructure engineering and capital improvements for the regional water and wastewater systems in the CRD. She is also responsible for the water and wastewater systems in the local service areas of the CRD.
Prior to joining the CRD, Alicia Fraser was the president and CEO of the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), a provincial agency that provides water and wastewater operations and technical services to municipalities across Ontario. Before becoming president and CEO, Alicia was VP of Operations in South Peel, where she was responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, distribution and collection systems that serve nearly 1.4 million people in the Region of Peel.
Alicia has spent her entire career in the water industry with experience in consulting engineering, designing and project managing water and wastewater plants throughout Ontario and British Columbia.
Alicia Fraser
General Manager of Integrated Water Services at Capital Regional District
About Alicia
Kenda MacKenzie
Acting General Manager/CEO
Halifax Water
Kenda is currently acting general manager/CEO for Halifax Water. She is responsible for more than 600 employees who manage water, wastewater and stormwater services for Halifax. Before taking on her current role, Kenda was the director of regulatory compliance services.
With almost 30 years of municipal engineering, planning and development experience, Kenda has firsthand expertise in the challenges of growth, aging infrastructure and regulatory compliance. Before joining the water utility in 2008, she worked with Halifax Regional Municipality and CBCL Limited Consulting Engineers.
Kenda has participated in multiple panels at the Nova Scotia Utility Review Board supporting applications submitted by Halifax Water. She is also past chair of the Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Association’s (ACWWA) Government Affairs Committee. In addition to this, Kenda has participated as a presenter or panelist at numerous conferences on topics such as stormwater billing and Halifax Water’s ISO-14001 Environmental Management System.
Kenda MacKenzie
Acting General Manager/CEO
of Halifax Water
About Kenda
Russ Munro
Director
Saskatoon Water
Russ has worked in the water industry for more than 15 years. Currently, he is the director of Saskatoon Water. He is also a Professional Engineering and Maintenance Management Professional. Russ holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds certification as a class four operator.
In addition to Russ’ work at Saskatoon Water, he supports the Royal Canadian Air Cadets as a CIC officer and Standards Pilot. He also supports the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Historical Society as a pilot for their World War Two era DeHavilland Tiger Moth. For service to the Canadian Forces and to the Community at large, Russ has been awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Russ Munro
Director at Saskatoon Water
About Russ
Gen Nielsen
Director, Water Facilities and Treatment Services
City of Ottawa
Gen is a water and wastewater professional with over 20 years of experience. She has worked in both the public and private sectors. Gen has been with the City of Ottawa for 14 years. During her career, she has led the development and implementation of the city’s large-diameter watermain, trunk sewer and forcemain condition assessment programs, capital planning and asset management. Gen has also done modelling work and, most recently, water and wastewater operations.
As part of the Infrastructure and Water Services Departmental leadership team, Gen is passionate about developing cross-functional teams and strong relationships across city departments. She is also interested in growing and developing employees and creating an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves. Gen is currently a mentor with the city’s mentorship program. She previously participated in the Women’s Infrastructure Network mentorship program as a mentor.
Gen enjoys connecting and working with colleagues across the industry to understand key trends, and leverage opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
Gen is a Professional Engineer (ON) with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering, with a Water Resources Option, from the University of Waterloo. She also has an IAM Certificate and an IPWEA Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning.
Gen Nielsen
Director of Water Facilities and Treatment Services at the City of Ottawa
About Gen
Dave Szeptycki
Director, Sustainability, Communications and Innovation, Public Works
York Region
Dave joined York Region in 2002 and has held various leadership positions within York Region. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Algoma University. Dave also holds a Master’s Certificate in Municipal Management and Public Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business and a Post-Grad Diploma in Public Administration from Western University. In Dave’s spare time, he enjoys travelling to far-off places, playing retro platform games and taking on the odd home improvement challenge.
Dave Szeptycki
Director of Sustainability, Communications and Innovation at York Region
About Dave