Mami Hara

About Mami Hara

Mami Hara is the CEO of the US Water Alliance. The US Water Alliance brings together diverse stakeholders to identify and advance common-ground, achievable solutions to our nation’s most pressing water challenges. Water utilities, public officials, business leaders, agricultural interests, environmental organizations, community leaders, unions, and policy organizations comprise the diverse membership of the US Water Alliance. The Alliance educates the nation on the true value of water, accelerates the adoption of One Water and water equity policies and programs, and celebrates innovation in water management. The Alliance also manages the Value of Water Campaign, a coalition of leading water sector organizations that are building public and political will for investment in water infrastructureMami was previously the General Manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). She was a board member of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, a founding member of the Water Agencies Leadership Alliance, and the founder of the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange. Through her work in Seattle, at Philadelphia Water and as principal of a leading planning and design firm, she has developed just, climate resilient, and community centered land and water management investment approaches and practices. Mami brings her experience in green infrastructure, affordability and assistance, environmental finance, service equity, utility management, and urban planning to advancing water equity and One Water practice.She has taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University and holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University and advisor to several environmental, philanthropic, planning and design advocacy organizations.

Experience

1. CEO

   Us Water Alliance

   Nov 2021 — Present

   Lead executive responsible for achieving organizational mission and vision with the Alliance board, staff and network through strategic leadership; program, staff, and resource development; convening and sector influence; communications and advocacy; financial management; and partnerships.Strategic Leadership: Advancing the field of One Water practice and Alliance’s vision of a sustainable water future for all. Leads strategic planning and implementation. Program & Resource Development: Providing direction and oversight on educational programs and communications. Leading teams and members in developing and scaling new solutions to water challenges including affordability, regional partnerships, climate mitigation and resilience, workforce gaps, and access. Fostering the development of the Alliance’s National Environmental Finance Center.Sector Convening: Bringing together diverse stakeholders (water utilities, public officials, business leaders, technologists, agricultural interests, environmental organizations, community leaders, unions, policy organizations) around pressing water challenges. Alliance members serve the nation; its utility members serve over 100 million in the US, and are brought together through the One Water Summit, leadership institutes, national task forces, and communities of practice. Communication & Advocacy: Increasing the visibility and impact of the water sector through effective communications. Sponsoring the Value of Water Campaign to build political will for water infrastructure investment. Partnership Building: Building impactful partnerships locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally to advance shared goals around water funding, water access, affordability, resilience, regional cooperation, workforce, and other pressing water issues.

Education

• University of Pennsylvania

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Design of the Environment

• Harvard University

  MLA, Landscape Architecture

• University of Pennsylvania

  Bachelor’s Degree, Design of the Environment

Skills

• Historic Preservation
• Public Speaking
• Mentoring
• Land Use Planning
• Green Infrastructure
• Architecture
• Comprehensive Planning
• Non-Profits
• Economic Development
• Public Administration
• Project Planning
• Sustainable Design
• Environmental Awareness
• Administration
• Fundraising
• Community Engagement
• Nonprofits
• Urban Design
• Transportation Planning
• Strategic Partnerships
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Participation
• Utility Industry
• Water Resources
• Urban Planning
• Public Policy
• Watershed Management
• Grant Writing
• Sustainability
• Research
• Strategic Planning