About Us
Pride in Water is a network for LGBTIQA+ people and allies working across the water industry, building connection, capability, and practical inclusion. We bring the sector together to share what works, create resources that fit our context, and support workplaces where LGBTIQA+ people feel safe, valued, and celebrated.
Why We Exist
Pride in Water exists to help the water industry become a place where LGBTIQA+ people can thrive, at work and in the communities we serve.
We began in 2019, founded by two LGBTIQA+ staff members at Yarra Valley Water. Born from lived experience, the network was created because many people across the sector were doing the work of inclusion in pockets, often with limited support. We saw an opportunity to connect people and organisations, share better practice, and lift inclusion across the industry together.
We are based in Australia, with an ambition to welcome Aotearoa New Zealand water organisations.
Who We Do It For
Pride in Water is for people across the water industry who want to be part of meaningful, practical change, including:
- LGBTIQA+ professionals working in water
- Allies across utilities, councils, consultancies, and contractors
- Leaders who want to build inclusive workplaces where inclusion is visible, consistent, and supported
What We Actually Do
We make inclusion easier to do well, and easier to sustain, by offering:
- Events and connection that build community across organisations and regions
- LGBTIQA+ inclusion training designed for a range of roles and experience levels
- Practical, sector-specific resources that organisations can actually use
- Support for Pride Networks and volunteer leaders to strengthen internal efforts and increase impact
- Cross-sector collaboration with stakeholders, peak bodies, member organisations, and volunteers
Our Mission
We’re working towards a water industry where LGBTIQA+ inclusion is not dependent on a few passionate volunteers. It’s embedded, supported, and sustainable.
From 2026, Pride in Water is scaling up with an ambitious program of events, training, workshops, resource-building, leadership support, and Pride Network development. Guided by a dedicated Leadership Council and backed by sector support, we’re building the structure to grow our impact year after year.
Our Leadership Council
Established in 2025, our Pride in Water Leadership Council is made up of a diverse range of individuals from right across the Australian water industry. 85% of the Council are part of the LGBTIQA+ community and represent the diversity of the people our sector serves.
The council brings together a broad range of experience – from graduate engineers to CEOs. We proudly reflect gender diversity, a mix of field and office-based roles, a range of abilities, and representation across the LGBTIQA+ spectrum. Our members span Gen X to Gen Z and come from both regional and metropolitan areas. While cultural and First Nations representation is currently limited, we are committed to expanding our diversity and welcoming new voices.
We are proud to introduce you to our Leadership Council members.
Amy Kelly (She/Her)
Amy is a HR Business Partner at Unitywater, a local utility providing water and wastewater services to the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions of Queensland on Kabi Kabi, Jinibara and Turrbal country.
With a passion for community and environmental wellbeing, Amy’s commitment to the continued strengthening of Unitywater’s diversity and inclusion programs are strongly aligned with the organisation’s purpose to be here for healthy and thriving communities, and in May 2025, Amy was appointed Chair of the Unitywater LGBTQIA+ employee network.
Prior to joining Unitywater, Amy worked at Sunshine Coast Council, which is where her passion for supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces, representative of the local community, began.
Amy is wife to Sharon and a mum to two beautiful boys, a sphynx cat and a rescue dog, and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Amy moved to Australia from the north of England in 2009, after graduating from Leeds University with a BA in History and Politics. On weekends you’ll find Amy out and about, appreciating all the lifestyle and sporting opportunities the Coast has to offer.
Bec Crosby (They/She)
I am excited and honoured to be on the Council because I want to help create more spaces in the water industry where people like me feel supported, seen and proud to belong. In this way, I desire to foster change and connection. Being on the Council is a chance to give back to the LGBTQIA+ community, help shape a more inclusive industry, and grow alongside others who share the same passion.
- To make space in the industry for people like me to feel supported and belong
- Strong desire for change and challenge
- Grow in feeling proud of myself
- Want to give back to my community
- Shape the water industry
- Be a part of a new community – meet folks with the same passion and water industry background
- I was grateful even to apply.
Ben Stone (He/They)
Ben is a Research and Development Specialist at Water Corporation, with over 20 years of experience in environmental science and contaminant management.
In 2020, Ben became Water Corporation’s inaugural representative for Pride in Water, helping to strengthen industry-wide connections and build greater inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people in the water sector.
Since then, he has played an active role in establishing Water Corporation’s internal Pride Network and now serves as Co-Chair of the Water Corporation Pride Working Group alongside Mel Robertson, working to foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
Ben is proud to be joining the newly formed Pride in Water Leadership Council, contributing to efforts that promote safety, visibility, and meaningful inclusion for LGBTQIA+ communities across the water industry.
Charlotte Allam (She/Her)
Charlotte is the Head of Events, Awards & Digital at the Australian Water Association, with more than 20 years’ global experience creating large-scale engagement, culture and leadership programs across the UK, Europe, Asia, the US and Australia.
A proud member of the queer community, Charlotte is a passionate advocate for inclusive leadership, belonging and visible LGBTQIA+ representation across the water sector.
She lives in the Blue Mountains with her wife and daughter, and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role on the Pride in Water Leadership Council.
Dean Barnett (He/Him)
Dean has over 30 years of experience in the water industry, spanning grassroots operations through management and executive roles. He has also led the Intelligent Water Networks Program on behalf of the Victorian and Tasmanian water industry. Dean now leads this work nationally in his role as CEO of the Water Industry Operators Association (WIOA).
Dean is also a member of the Board of the Institute of Water Administration (IWA) Victoria. His passion is the operations sector of the water industry, with a focus on innovation and transformation.
Erin Cini (She/Her)
As the Director Strategy and Partnerships at the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), Erin drives the development and delivery of their Strategy and its ongoing collaborative relationships with partner organisations. Erin leads WSAA’s strategic approach to people and capability, water security, and the priority areas of resilient and regenerative futures.
Erin is also the Chair of the BuildSkills Australia Water Skills Advisory Body and is passionate about creating a sense of belonging for all people in the water sector.
James Scott (He/They)
James is a Drainage Asset Planner at Melbourne Water and has worked in the water and civil engineering industry for eight years, including at several consultancies, prior to joining Melbourne Water. James is passionate about projects that directly help the community and environment, making our cities better places.
James is part of the Refract LGBTQIA+ community at Melbourne Water and is passionate about creating meaningful change, building supportive networks, and promoting a culture where inclusion and acceptance are the norm.
James is thrilled to be part of the Leadership Council where he can contribute to shaping initiatives and policies that foster belonging and safety in the workplace, ensuring all LGBTQIA+ people and allies feel respected, supported, and empowered.
Kri McNamara (She/Her)
My name is Kri and I’m the Climate Change and Environment Lead at Southern Rural Water.
My background is in natural resource management, conservation and science, and today I am a passionate advocate for reducing emissions and embedding climate adaptation practices throughout the water sector.
My core values are centred around intergenerational equity and leaving our world in a better state than we found it.
This is what’s inspired me to join the Council. The foundations of the LGBTQIA+ community were laid by those who came before us, who challenged the status quo and demanded visibility.
I hope my contribution to the Council will continue this legacy, and I am excited to foster awareness, inclusion, and connection for our community across the sector.
Sally Armstrong (She/They)
Sally brings a combination of industry leadership, LGBTIQA+ advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, and a passion for inclusion to the Leadership Council. After more than 20 years working across utilities and not for profits in the Australian water sector, she’s seen how meaningful LGBTIQA+ inclusion can transform workplaces and lives.
Throughout her time at Sydney Water, the Australian Water Association, and now at TasWater, she has been a constant voice for creating spaces where people feel safe, respected, and able to be themselves.
“I wanted to be on the Leadership Council to ensure we focus on lifting the whole sector and pave the way for more inclusive workplaces in general. As a sector, we have some examples of first-class inclusion practices, and we have examples of where we still struggle to ensure LGBTIQA+ people are safe, valued and enabled to thrive. Pride in Water in 2026 has such a great opportunity to build on its previous success and continue to shape an industry where every LGBTIQA+ person feels they belong.”
Sandra Hall (She/Her)
I am the Chief Executive Officer of Water Stewardship Asia Pacific, a not-for-profit working across Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region to build climate-resilient, water-secure communities.
With a strong background in Urban Water Research, Volunteerism and Leadership, I have always been a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in the water industry.
I believe inclusive cultures don’t happen by accident—they’re built through brave conversations, visible leadership, and practical change.
I joined the Pride in Water Leadership Council to help turn good intentions into everyday practices: respectful workplaces, strong allyship, and clear accountability so LGBTQIA+ people and allies can thrive.
Sina Tehrani (He/Him)
I’m Sina Hajibeigtehrani (aka Tehrani), a migrant and Senior Project Manager at Sydney Water, with a professional background as a Civil, Water, and Structural Engineer. My career has taken me across borders, working both internationally and in Australia, and has evolved into leading complex infrastructure projects that serve diverse communities.
For a while, I worked in the LGBTQ+ not-for-profit sector, delivering diversity and inclusion training across NSW and volunteering with organisations such as Twenty10 and ACON. I’ve also been a public advocate for domestic and family violence prevention, contributing lived experience to the DVNSW Steering Committee.
For over three years, I’ve proudly served on the Pride Network Committee at Sydney Water, helping to foster a culture of inclusion and visibility within the organisation. Joining the Pride in Water Council is a continuation of that commitment — a chance to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ people in the water industry and ensure our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Tina Ventoura (She/Her)
My name is Tina, and I’m a Graduate Process Engineer at Sydney Water. My background is in chemical engineering, and I’ve been in the water industry for the past 3 years, primarily in treatment-based roles across both drinking water and wastewater.
Since being involved in queer advocacy at university, I’ve been passionate about supporting and amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices and fostering community. Over the last year, I’ve been part of the Pride Network Committee at Sydney Water, promoting visibility, education and awareness within the organisation. I am excited to continue this as a member of the Pride in Water Leadership Council.
Zoé Kennedy (She/Her)
Under the new Pride in Water structure, we have, for the first time, employed someone to coordinate all our work. Zoé Kennedy (she/her) joins as the first Pride in Water Lead, having been connected to our network since its very first year.
Zoé is a loudly and proudly Queer inclusion consultant, dedicated to advancing LGBTIQA+ inclusion across the water industry. With a passion for lived experience-led change, Zoé’s engaging and practical approach empowers organisations to create safer, more inclusive environments for everyone, ensuring the voices of LGBTIQA+ people are heard and valued in the water sector.
Our Supporters
Pride in Water is proudly hosted by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA), whose support provides a strong home for the network.
We are also supported by other industry bodies, including the Water Industry Operators Association (WiOA) and the Australian Water Association (AWA), alongside leaders and volunteers across the sector who are committed to lifting inclusion. We hope you will join us.