Chelsea Boozer, MPA

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.