Our Team
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Ron Burke
President and CEO
Mr. Burke became the President and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency on March 22, 2021. Ron spent the first twenty years of his career working on environmental policy and programs as an Environmental Scientist for the U.S. EPA, the Environmental Health Director and Deputy Executive Director for the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago, the Associate Director for the Illinois EPA, and Midwest Office Director for the Union of Concerned Scientists. More recently, Ron was Executive Director of the Chicago-based Active Transportation Alliance for nine years and ran government relations for Lyft’s bike share and scooter share programs in the Central U.S.
Mr. Burke earned an M.S. from Washington University’s Department of Engineering and Policy and did his undergraduate work in life sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Mr. Burke became the President and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency on March 22, 2021. Ron spent the first twenty years of his career working on environmental policy and programs as an Environmental Scientist for the U.S. EPA, the Environmental Health Director and Deputy Executive Director for the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago, the Associate Director for the Illinois EPA, and Midwest Office Director for the Union of Concerned Scientists. More recently, Ron was Executive Director of the Chicago-based Active Transportation Alliance for nine years and ran government relations for Lyft’s bike share and scooter share programs in the Central U.S.
Mr. Burke earned an M.S. from Washington University’s Department of Engineering and Policy and did his undergraduate work in life sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
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Jeffrey Hughes
Director of Finance & Operations
Jeffrey has been with the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) since its earliest days, joining as the organization’s second employee in early 2008. Over the years, he has helped guide AWE’s growth and direction, serving as part of the senior management team and leading the organization’s administration, operations, and governance activities. His work spans financial management and strategic planning to human resources, information systems, facilities, and the daily management of the office—ensuring that AWE runs smoothly behind the scenes so its mission can thrive.
Before joining AWE, Jeffrey built a diverse career in both public service and nonprofit management. He worked in nursing home administration and municipal government and spent five years with the California Water Efficiency Partnership (formerly the California Urban Water Conservation Council).
Jeffrey earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from California State University, Chico. He is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE), a credential awarded by the American Society of Association Executives that recognizes excellence in nonprofit leadership and management.
Jeffrey has been with the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) since its earliest days, joining as the organization’s second employee in early 2008. Over the years, he has helped guide AWE’s growth and direction, serving as part of the senior management team and leading the organization’s administration, operations, and governance activities. His work spans financial management and strategic planning to human resources, information systems, facilities, and the daily management of the office—ensuring that AWE runs smoothly behind the scenes so its mission can thrive.
Before joining AWE, Jeffrey built a diverse career in both public service and nonprofit management. He worked in nursing home administration and municipal government and spent five years with the California Water Efficiency Partnership (formerly the California Urban Water Conservation Council).
Jeffrey earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees from California State University, Chico. He is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE), a credential awarded by the American Society of Association Executives that recognizes excellence in nonprofit leadership and management.
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Joan Hughes
Director of Programs & Research
Joan Hughes joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in October 2025, after more than 14 years leading water and energy efficiency programs at NASA, most recently as the Agency Energy and Water Program Manager. She is a Certified Energy Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Mississippi State University and an interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Anthropology and English from the University of West Florida. Joan’s expertise also includes federal energy and water policy, strategic planning and partnerships, organizational change, and contract and grant management.
Joan began her career as a petroleum engineer working in New Mexico but soon moved on to explore other fields, including community development and sustainable agriculture, before finding her passion in water and energy efficiency. She enjoys working with smart, committed people on projects and programs that have tangible, positive impacts on our natural environment.
Joan and her family live in southwestern Colorado, where she loves to play outdoors in all seasons.
Joan Hughes joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in October 2025, after more than 14 years leading water and energy efficiency programs at NASA, most recently as the Agency Energy and Water Program Manager. She is a Certified Energy Manager with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Mississippi State University and an interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Anthropology and English from the University of West Florida. Joan’s expertise also includes federal energy and water policy, strategic planning and partnerships, organizational change, and contract and grant management.
Joan began her career as a petroleum engineer working in New Mexico but soon moved on to explore other fields, including community development and sustainable agriculture, before finding her passion in water and energy efficiency. She enjoys working with smart, committed people on projects and programs that have tangible, positive impacts on our natural environment.
Joan and her family live in southwestern Colorado, where she loves to play outdoors in all seasons.
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Johanna DeCotis Smith
Senior Manager of Programs
Johanna DeCotis Smith has over 14 years of experience working within the environmental field and has spent 10 years working on a variety of water quantity and quality issues in the State of Georgia. She most recently worked at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, where she managed the Watershed Compliance Program, as well as engaged with water efficiency, water reuse, and water supply issues as the Manager of the Surface Water Unit in the Water Supply Program. Before joining EPD, Johanna worked at Amec Foster Wheeler as an engineering consultant, now WSP USA.
Johanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, both from Georgia Tech. She is also a registered Professional Engineer in Georgia.
Johanna lives in Atlanta with her husband and two kids, and enjoys biking, attending Atlanta United games, and traveling. Johanna is passionate about water efficiency and conservation (even convincing her husband of the benefits of installing a personal water monitoring device in their home).
Johanna DeCotis Smith has over 14 years of experience working within the environmental field and has spent 10 years working on a variety of water quantity and quality issues in the State of Georgia. She most recently worked at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, where she managed the Watershed Compliance Program, as well as engaged with water efficiency, water reuse, and water supply issues as the Manager of the Surface Water Unit in the Water Supply Program. Before joining EPD, Johanna worked at Amec Foster Wheeler as an engineering consultant, now WSP USA.
Johanna earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, both from Georgia Tech. She is also a registered Professional Engineer in Georgia.
Johanna lives in Atlanta with her husband and two kids, and enjoys biking, attending Atlanta United games, and traveling. Johanna is passionate about water efficiency and conservation (even convincing her husband of the benefits of installing a personal water monitoring device in their home).
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Meryl Corbin
Senior Manager of Policy & Programs
Meryl joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in July 2026 as Senior Manager of Policy and Programs. She brings several years of experience helping communities integrate water and land-use planning. She most recently served as Director of the Growing Water Smart program at the Sonoran Institute, where she designed and facilitated workshops and technical assistance for communities across the Colorado River Basin responding to water scarcity and planning for resilient growth.
She holds a master's certificate in Environmental Management and Policy from the University of Colorado Denver, with a focus on Western water issues, and a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a minor in Regional and Community Planning from Kansas State University. She began her career as a project manager in commercial interior architecture in Boston and Denver.
Meryl lives in Colorado and enjoys running mountain trails and chasing adventures near and far. She is passionate about helping communities turn water challenges into practical, lasting solutions.
Meryl joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in July 2026 as Senior Manager of Policy and Programs. She brings several years of experience helping communities integrate water and land-use planning. She most recently served as Director of the Growing Water Smart program at the Sonoran Institute, where she designed and facilitated workshops and technical assistance for communities across the Colorado River Basin responding to water scarcity and planning for resilient growth.
She holds a master's certificate in Environmental Management and Policy from the University of Colorado Denver, with a focus on Western water issues, and a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a minor in Regional and Community Planning from Kansas State University. She began her career as a project manager in commercial interior architecture in Boston and Denver.
Meryl lives in Colorado and enjoys running mountain trails and chasing adventures near and far. She is passionate about helping communities turn water challenges into practical, lasting solutions.
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Devin Foster Smith
Senior Researcher
Devin Foster Smith joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in January 2025. She enthusiastically contributes to the AWE team through her research expertise in support of improving water efficiency and conservation across North America. Within this role, Devin assists AWE programs through quantitative and qualitative data collection and reporting. In her previous position, Devin was a scientific researcher who specialized in studying the quantity and quality of Earth’s freshwater resources. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Villanova University, and her Master of Science and PhD in Earth Sciences from The Ohio State University. Her research was driven by the idea that water scarcity is a function of water quantity and water quality. With this concept directing her work, Devin studied water resources in urban, agricultural, and natural environments around the world. She enjoys working on teams to solve complex, interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of climate change, environmental justice, and water resources.
When not thinking about water resources Devin can be found in the kitchen testing out new recipes or playing with her dog, Darcy. If you questioned how much Devin loves water resources, her dog is named after Darcy’s Law, the equation used to quantify groundwater flow!
Devin Foster Smith joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in January 2025. She enthusiastically contributes to the AWE team through her research expertise in support of improving water efficiency and conservation across North America. Within this role, Devin assists AWE programs through quantitative and qualitative data collection and reporting. In her previous position, Devin was a scientific researcher who specialized in studying the quantity and quality of Earth’s freshwater resources. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Villanova University, and her Master of Science and PhD in Earth Sciences from The Ohio State University. Her research was driven by the idea that water scarcity is a function of water quantity and water quality. With this concept directing her work, Devin studied water resources in urban, agricultural, and natural environments around the world. She enjoys working on teams to solve complex, interdisciplinary problems at the intersection of climate change, environmental justice, and water resources.
When not thinking about water resources Devin can be found in the kitchen testing out new recipes or playing with her dog, Darcy. If you questioned how much Devin loves water resources, her dog is named after Darcy’s Law, the equation used to quantify groundwater flow!
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Sophie Baumgartner
Member Relations & Events Manager
Sophie Baumgartner joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in 2025 as the Member Relations and Events Manager. In this role, she leads membership programming, relationship management, and event coordination while supporting the organization’s data-driven strategies to strengthen member engagement.
With a background in nonprofit administration, Sophie has extensive experience managing membership programs, developing and maintaining database systems, and optimizing data quality. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to improving operations, stewarding relationships, and creating meaningful member experiences.
Prior to joining AWE, Sophie managed administrative operations and school-wide events at Urban Prairie Waldorf School and oversaw membership programs and industry conferences for multiple nonprofit trade organizations at SmithBucklin. In both roles, she leveraged CRM platforms and data systems to enhance member services and organizational efficiency.
Sophie earned her Bachelor of Arts from Kalamazoo College and a Master’s in Education from Antioch University. A lifelong learner passionate about environmental sustainability, she is excited to apply her skills to support AWE’s mission of promoting water efficiency and conservation.
Sophie Baumgartner joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in 2025 as the Member Relations and Events Manager. In this role, she leads membership programming, relationship management, and event coordination while supporting the organization’s data-driven strategies to strengthen member engagement.
With a background in nonprofit administration, Sophie has extensive experience managing membership programs, developing and maintaining database systems, and optimizing data quality. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to improving operations, stewarding relationships, and creating meaningful member experiences.
Prior to joining AWE, Sophie managed administrative operations and school-wide events at Urban Prairie Waldorf School and oversaw membership programs and industry conferences for multiple nonprofit trade organizations at SmithBucklin. In both roles, she leveraged CRM platforms and data systems to enhance member services and organizational efficiency.
Sophie earned her Bachelor of Arts from Kalamazoo College and a Master’s in Education from Antioch University. A lifelong learner passionate about environmental sustainability, she is excited to apply her skills to support AWE’s mission of promoting water efficiency and conservation.
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Jessica Shippen-Hansen
Program Manager
Jessica Shippen-Hansen joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in July 2026, after 9 years of working in soil and water conservation as a Conservation Specialist and Environmental Scientist. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a focus in Applied Ecology, a minor in Food Studies, and an Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering and Agriculture from California State University, Chico. Jessica’s experience includes environmental planning and consulting, extensive field work and on-the-ground implementation, strategic planning and partnerships, and contract and grant management. Most recently she worked as an agricultural Conservation Specialist in Virginia, working to plan and implement conservation projects within the Chesapeake Bay.
Jessica’s work in conservation has brought her to many places, including California, Oregon, Costa Rica, Virginia, and now Colorado where lives with her husband and kitty. Outside of work you can find her enjoying the great outdoors, traveling to new places, and spending time with friends and family.
Jessica Shippen-Hansen joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in July 2026, after 9 years of working in soil and water conservation as a Conservation Specialist and Environmental Scientist. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a focus in Applied Ecology, a minor in Food Studies, and an Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering and Agriculture from California State University, Chico. Jessica’s experience includes environmental planning and consulting, extensive field work and on-the-ground implementation, strategic planning and partnerships, and contract and grant management. Most recently she worked as an agricultural Conservation Specialist in Virginia, working to plan and implement conservation projects within the Chesapeake Bay.
Jessica’s work in conservation has brought her to many places, including California, Oregon, Costa Rica, Virginia, and now Colorado where lives with her husband and kitty. Outside of work you can find her enjoying the great outdoors, traveling to new places, and spending time with friends and family.