We are delighted to introduce Kessia Thomson and Liz Rowland, who joined the IWN Executive in 2024. Both bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and a passion for driving positive change in the water sector.
Kessia Thomson
A dedicated environmental professional, Kessia has built her career around sustainable development, governance, and environmental policy. With qualifications in Environmental Engineering, she broke barriers early in her career as the only female engineer out of 45 in her first graduate role in the mid-90s. Despite the challenges, Kessia persevered, using her experiences to champion gender equality and diversity.
Today, as General Manager, Strategy and Partnerships at Greater Western Water (GWW), Kessia leads a leadership team that is proudly 80% female. With oversight for enterprise strategy, communications, and pricing. She led the development of GWW’s initial price submission following the integration of City West Water and Western Water which was approved in June 2024.
Kessia is passionate about empowering women in leadership and celebrating their achievements. Her dedication to creating more inclusive workplaces aligns with IWN’s mission to foster innovation and collaboration across the sector.
Liz Rowland
Liz is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in Corporate Finance and Planning. As a seasoned executive, Liz has managed key areas including customer service, ICT, risk management, and corporate planning. Her portfolio also includes leading community relations, education programs, and emergency management, ensuring organizations are resilient and customer-focused.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Deakin University, Liz brings a unique perspective to her work, blending strategic foresight with a deep understanding of people and organizational dynamics. Liz’s impressive leadership extends to spearheading transformational programs, overseeing price submissions, and delivering on customer outcomes.
Her ability to navigate complex challenges and focus on long-term sustainability makes her an invaluable addition to the IWN Executive, contributing to our shared vision of a resilient and innovative water sector.
We are excited to have Kessia and Liz join the IWN Executive and look forward to the insights and expertise they bring to our network!
