Meet The Team
Rogue Water Lab is a nonprofit communications and engagement studio dedicated to building public trust in water. We specialize in translating complex water issues into accessible stories and strategies that resonate with policymakers, utilities, and communities. Through flagship programs like Catalyst and Convergence, and client work with utilities across the U.S., we design tools, trainings, and campaigns that equip water leaders to communicate more effectively, navigate contentious issues, and strengthen stakeholder relationships.
Chelsea Boozer, MPA
Executive Director
Chelsea Boozer has dedicated her career to advancing public trust in water through communications, policy, and engagement. She currently serves as Executive Director of Rogue Water Lab, a nonprofit that equips and inspires the water sector to strengthen stakeholder relationships, enhance transparency, and build durable trust with the public.
In this role, Chelsea designs and leads immersive training programs, national workshops, and strategic communication campaigns that blend behavioral science, narrative change research, and community engagement strategies. She designs and directs Catalyst, an annual, experiential convening that trains utility leaders, communicators, and policymakers to navigate complex human dynamics, manage crises, and communicate with authenticity.
Prior to taking the helm of Rogue Water Lab, Chelsea served as Government Affairs Manager for Central Arkansas Water, the state’s largest utility, where she led legislative advocacy, coalition building, stakeholder engagement and regionalism efforts. Her efforts secured $25 million in ARPA infrastructure funding, guided public buy-in for a decade-long rate adjustment, and developed the utility’s first Hispanic outreach program. She also spearheaded campaigns to strengthen regional water collaboration and successfully advanced policy and infrastructure funding initiatives at the local and federal level.
Before entering the water sector, Chelsea had an award-winning career in journalism, reporting on government and policy in Memphis, Washington, D.C., and Little Rock. This background sharpened her ability to distill complex issues into plain language and craft stories that resonate across diverse audiences. She continues to leverage that expertise in narrative framing and media relations, including leading workshops on science communication, risk messaging, and public engagement.
Chelsea serves on the American Water Works Association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors, shaping national priorities on water communication and trust. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the top-ranked Syracuse University and is widely recognized as a thought leader in integrating equity, empathy, and evidence-based communications to help utilities and policymakers meet today’s water challenges.
Ali Dunbar
Program Coordinator
Ali Dunbar brings a global perspective and a storyteller’s heart to her role as Program Coordinator at Rogue Water Lab. With experience spanning Cambodia to Colorado and D.C., Ali has designed and led programs that connect people through purpose, from developing a national network for adoptee leaders to researching water perceptions among U.S. college students.
Ali’s background includes program management, social media training for international nonprofits, and research on water governance, trust, and communication. She’s worked on the national academic programs team at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and as a TechCamp Trainer for the U.S. State Department Education and Culture Bureau.
Ali holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civic Engagement and Anthropology from Syracuse University and is pursuing her Master of Public Service at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. At Rogue, she supports programs by helping connect data, design, and dialogue to build public trust in water. Programs include our Convergence Master Class, in-person Catalyst summits, annual webinar series, and strategic communications initiatives.
When she’s not facilitating collaboration across projects, Ali can be found swooning over all things stationary or planning her next adventure abroad.
Leadership Council
Rawaa Al Saadi Milner
Sustainability and Technology Strategy at Accenture
Cathy Bernardino Bailey
Executive Director of Greater Cincinnati Water Works
Margaret Bowman
Principal at Bowman Environmental Consulting
Sylvia Brown
Managing Member, Thought Leaders & Action Partners Ltd.
Heather Collins
President-Elect of American Water Works Association; Assistant Group Manager of Water System Operations at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Juliet Ellis
Head of Utilities at Promise; Chair of Water Agency Leaders Alliance
David Goldwater
Vice President of Public Policy at Stantec
OJ McFoy
City Engineer at City of Houston; Past President of National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Nathan Ohle
President and CEO of International Economic Development Council
Karyn Riley, Esq.
Vice President of Water Equity and Social Impact at Arcadis
LaMar Parkin
Financial Director at Kyndryl; former CFO and ED of Hands Up for Haiti
Wendell Scales Jr., MA
Deputy Director of Innovation at Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools
Mark Sirangelo
Former Chief innovation Officer for the State of Colorado, founding executive and former head of Sierra Nevada Space Systems, former NASA Special Assistant to the Administrator
Jeff Sober
Director of Water Services at Garver and Chair of WEF Operations Challenge
Greg Wukasch
External Affairs Manager at San Antonio Water System
Stephen Sanders
Environmental Training Center Director at SUNY-Morrisville College
David Sibelman
Chief Executive Officer of Operational Technical Services
Arianne Shipley, CPC
Co-founder of Rogue Water Lab; Manager of Research and Advocacy at US Pipe
Water& Team
Bebe Schaefer
Water& Project Director
Makenna Sturgeon
Water& Director of Communications
Rachel Roberts
Water& Director of Public Relations
Aubree Frost
Water& Artistic Director
Gracie Ruebel
Water& Community Engagement Lead
Chenhui Zhang
Water& Research Lead
Tithi Arekar
Water& Social Media and Marketing Intern