Emily Simonson

Emily Simonson is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the US Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization building a sustainable water future for all. She is responsible for building, incubating, and leading initiatives that help advance multi-benefit, equitable policies and practices at the intersection of water, infrastructure, community, and social justice. Harnessing the power of diverse networks, Emily guides strategic engagement opportunities with and for the One Water Council, Water Equity Network, water and wastewater infrastructure technical assistance teams, policymakers, and others. Emily became passionate about equitable access to safe, reliable water and sanitation while working in Ghana for Global Brigades, a community development nonprofit. Emily also spent two years at the EPA as an ORISE Fellow with the Urban Waters Program, an environmental justice focused initiative to increase the government’s ability to provide an integrated approach when working with communities to restore their waterways. After an internship with the United Nations in Switzerland, Emily graduated from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University with master’s degrees in public administration and international relations. Off the clock, Emily serves on the Board of Directors for Youth Outlook, a northern-Illinois based nonprofit dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ young people. She will use any excuse to get outside with her dog and friends.