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The VA AWWA | VWEA 2026 - 2027 Leadership Academy

Sep 16, 2026  

Register
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The Leadership Academy, an exciting VA AWWA | VWEA initiative, is an opportunity for industry professionals of all ages and experience levels to develop leadership skills. Topics include moral and ethical leadership, emotional intelligence, people styles and more. To cultivate an intimate learning and networking environment, the Academy accepts a limited number of participants. 

Welcome to the 2026-2027 Leadership Academy! 

Accepted applicants will be emailed starting 7/28/2026. If you were notified of your acceptance, please complete your payment here by 08.31.2026.

 

The Leadership Academy is a VA AWWA / VWEA initiative developed for professionals of all ages and experience in the water industry. Leadership topics covered in the Academy include moral and ethical leadership, team building, goal setting, working styles, effective communication, and more. The Leadership Academy is organized into a year-long course kicking off at WaterJAM 2026 and concluding at WaterJAM 2027.
 

COURSE OVERVIEW AND COST
The VA AWWA / VWEA Leadership Academy includes:

  • Up to six (6) in-person workshops:
    • One kickoff event at WaterJAM 2026
    • Up to four (4*) training sessions held at rotating locations across Virginia
    • One final workshop and Graduation at WaterJAM 2027
  • Up to four (4) virtual skills-strengthening sessions (2 hours each)
* The final agenda for in-person and virtual workshops is still being evaluated- you will either have 6 in-person and 2 virtual sessions OR 5 in-person and 4 virtual sessions. 
 
  • VA AWWA or VWEA Committee Participation
    • Participants are required to join a committee and contribute by planning an event, leading a task, or taking on a committee leadership role.
The program fee is $825 per participant, covering all workshops (with breakfast, snacks, and lunch), virtual sessions, and WaterJAM 2027 registration. The fee does not include association membership dues, transportation, lodging, or WaterJAM 2026 registration. However, participants may attend the Kickoff at WaterJAM 2026 without registering for the full conference. Accepted applicants will be directed to return to the application page to confirm their participation and submit the required fee.  

 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 
The following are expected of all participants to guarantee an effective and productive cohort: 

  • Attendance at all workshops is required for graduation. Participants may be permitted one absence from an in-person workshop and one absence from a virtual training session pending advance approval.
  • Participants must be an active water professional within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Participants must also be a member of either VA AWWA or VWEA.
  • A minimum of one year of professional experience within the water industry is required. Applicants with experience in other industries and military are considered after meeting the minimum requirement.
  • The ability to travel to and from WaterJAM and all in-person workshops.

 

PROGRAM BENEFITS

To cultivate an intimate learning and networking environment, the Academy accepts a limited number of participants. The full day and virtual workshops are taught by industry professionals or leadership instructors who provide interactive training for leadership skill development. The Academy is designed to attract a broad range of water professionals to encourage a variety of perspectives.

 

Click here to learn more about the Leadership Academy Committee which sponsors this program or to view the activities of the current cohort.

 
  
 
 
 
               
Organizers

R

Rebecca Currall
rcurrall@hrsd.com
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Cynthia Barnes
cynthia.barnes@vaawwa.org
434.238.5131