Insights for what's next
Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.
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Q&AProgram pioneers | What does it take to lead the world’s most complex programs?
Backed by 30 years of experience leading complex programs, program pioneer Keoki Sears shares how program leadership creates the conditions for success, drives stakeholder alignment and helps teams navigate complexityKeoki Sears -
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Water reuse: A shared solution for utilities and industry
Water reuse is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of resilient water management. Driven by evolving regulations and growing industrial demand, communities are rethinking how treated wastewater can support both public needs and economic growth. This webinar explores the state of water reuse from both municipal and industrial perspectives. We’ll cover key trends shaping the market, including direct potable reuse, and examine the role of reuse in supporting high-growth sectors including data centers and semiconductors. A featured case study from Stafford County, Virginia, will highlight how one utility is leveraging water reuse partnerships to meet both community and industrial water needs. Join us to gain practical insights into how collaboration can accelerate water reuse implementation. Moderator Joseph Danyluk, OneWater Director – Jacobs Presenters Melanie Holmer, Global Reuse Principal – Jacobs Brian Lowes, Industrial Water Global Principal – Jacobs Jon Brindle – Stafford County, Virginia
A view on the future of conveyance and storage: A Q&A with Dr. Adel Aboujaoude
From aging water infrastructure, regulatory requirements and climate change, our clients face unprecedented challenges. Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Conveyance and Storage Dr. Adel Aboujaoude and his team are shaping how we deliver safe and reliable water to communities worldwide. Through adopting available technology and creating new technologies, he ensures we’re providing tailored solutions to our clients. In this Q&A, Adel discusses the imortance of water conveyance, particularly in locations where access to clean and potable water is a challenge and highlights the importance of having the right people and technology to tackle the problem of water scarcity in a changing world.
World water day: How is water shaping our future?
World Water Day is a moment to consider water’s importance to life, the environment and thriving communities. It’s also a call to action. As climate impacts intensify and water challenges grow more complex, the need for integrated, forward-looking solutions has never been greater. At Jacobs, that responsibility sits at the heart of our global water team. Leading our team of 9,000 water professionals is Senior Vice President Susan Moisio. From advancing watershed-scale strategies to championing digital innovation and mentoring the next generation of leaders, Susan understands that water connects everything — from energy and food systems to equity and economic resilience. In this World Water Day Q&A, she explains how the industry is evolving, her role championing women leaders and what it means to know water. World Water Day is an opportunity to reflect. You’ve been leading our water team for five years — how has the industry changed in that time? The pace of change has accelerated dramatically. Climate impacts are more visible and more urgent. Extreme events — whether flooding, drought or water quality crises — are happening more frequently. Each one reinforces the need to look at systems holistically. We often say water challenges fall into three categories: too much water, too little water or poor water quality. But the real shift has been in how we address them. We’re thinking regionally and adaptively. Instead of solving a single asset issue, we’re asking: how does this fit within the broader water system? What does this mean over
Digital twins: Why the real challenge is change, not technology
As organizations look to digital transformation to unlock efficiencies, reduce costs, optimize asset operations and enhance business performance, many are discovering the biggest hurdle isn’t the technology — it’s the people. Nowhere is this more evident than in the implementation of digital twins, which are often misunderstood as purely technical upgrades rather than the far-reaching organizational change projects they truly are. A digital twin is a dynamic, virtual replica of a physical asset, system or process. It uses historic and real-time data to simulate, monitor and optimize performance. In the building and infrastructure sector, digital twins hold the key to unlocking greater value across the asset lifecycle. While the technology is impressive, its success hinges on how well an organization can adapt its culture, workflows and mindset to maximize the benefit. The global digital twin market is growing rapidly and is expected to reach $149.81 billion USD by 2030, with the transport, infrastructure, healthcare and energy and power sectors leading the way. According to McKinsey, 70% of technology leaders in major corporations are actively investing in digital twin initiatives. Yet, many struggle to realize their full potential because implementing a digital twin is not just a technology rollout. It represents a fundamental shift in how an asset is designed, operated and maintained, how teams collaborate, and how strategic decisions are made. For example, operational teams must learn to trust data and predictive analytics over gut instinct. Maintenance crews need to adapt to condition-based servicing rather than scheduled routines. Executives must
Growing globally: Olivia Millard’s Jacobsgo! experience
Olivia Millard, a Melbourne, Australia-based process engineer, shares her experience as part of our 2025 JacobsGo! cohort – living and working in Portland, Oregon, U.S. Why did you decide to apply for the program? Throughout my life, I’ve found that immersing myself in different places, contexts and cultures through long-term travel has been a launchpad for my personal and professional growth. JacobsGo! presented such a unique opportunity that I couldn’t pass it up! I am very grateful to be a part of the program. What were you most excited about? Going into this experience, I was excited to learn from technical specialists in Oregon and develop my design skills. On the personal side, I looked forward to exploring the Pacific Northwest outdoors – trail running, skiing, hiking and camping. What kind of work did you do in your JacobsGo! role? Like my role at home, my workload spanned a range of diverse projects. They involved concept level designs of treatment plants to support capital planning, detailed design of treatment systems, quality control management and development of an interactive facility map dashboard as part of program management efforts. One project that was a key focus during my time in the region was early works for a water treatment plant. The project centers on the design of fish intake screens and raw water pump replacements which will help the city maintain reliable operations through upcoming major upgrades at the plant. What was the best part of your JacobsGo! experience? There were so
A roadmap for water utility trust, transparency and resilience
Kylee Hamilton discusses a new guidance framework being developed with The Water Research Foundation that helps water utilities navigate complex environmental, social and governance challenges.
Scaling water reuse through collaboration
Rick Warner discusses a project with The Water Research Foundation that’s fostering collaborative strategies and unlocking the full potential of water reuse
Protecting critical infrastructure: OT cyber risk after Aliquippa
Jacobs Senior Vice President, OT Cybersecurity John Karabias discusses the pressing issue of cybersecurity in water utilities and critical infrastructure, focusing on recent threats and the need for a proactive approach in quantifying and addressing OT risks.
Changing the world: How Adel AbouJaoude accepted the challenge
The changing climate impacts the world’s regions – and their water needs – differently. Adel AbouJaoude is helping our clients increase water storage, security and efficiency.
Delivering critical flood and coastal resilience in the UK: A Q&A with Laura Rhodes
Over 5.2 million homes and properties in England face risks from flooding and coastal erosion. The Environment Agency has implemented strategies to mitigate these risks, including a £5.2 billon capital program, delivered primarily through the Collaborative Delivery Framework (CDF), part of the broader Next Generation Supplier Arrangements (NGSA). In this Q&A, Jacobs’ CDF Manager, Laura Rhodes, shares insights into the program’s critical role in improving infrastructure resilience and the key lessons she’s learned while collaborating with the Environment Agency.
A view on the future of resilience and climate response: A Q&A with Adam Hosking
Resilience is an essential quality for success — the ability to adapt and grow in the face of change and unanticipated events is critical in today’s dynamic, ever-evolving world. In this Q&A, global solutions director for resilience and climate response explains how Jacobs supports communities with the impacts of human and natural hazards and climate change.
Developing metrics for water customer affordability
Reflecting on a recent Journal AWWA article he co-authored, Mike Matichich explains how water utilities better understand and address affordability challenges by leveraging operating data they already collect.
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Future Foundations
Co-creating the world to come
From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.
As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future.