In the latest episode of Meaningful Conversations, I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with Sally Gutierrez, a woman whose legacy in water spans decades, communities, and continents. A longtime leader with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sally has been at the forefront of one of the most critical issues of our time—access to safe water and sanitation.

But this wasn’t just a conversation about policy and permits. It was a heartfelt reflection on leadership, innovation, and what it truly means to serve.

A Passion for Progress

Sally opened our chat by drawing the “passion” card—a perfect match for her energy and outlook. When asked where she places her hope and vision for the future of water, her answer was clear: that more people around the world will have access to safe, reliable drinking water and sanitation in her lifetime.

She acknowledged the scale of the challenge—millions still lack access, and many don’t trust the water coming from their taps—but she also pointed to signs of real hope.

Innovation at Every Level

Sally’s optimism is rooted in action. She’s seeing powerful innovation from all corners—federal scientists, academia, the private sector—working to tackle water challenges through:

• Artificial intelligence and digital tools
• New water reuse methods
• Monitoring technologies
• Even capturing water from air

What excites her most is seeing these ideas scaled not just for major utilities, but for small towns and under-resourced communities. That’s where change becomes real.

The World’s Largest Water Permitting Program

Before the pandemic, Sally served as Acting Director of the Water Permits Division at the EPA, overseeing the largest water permitting programme in the world—more than one million permits issued across the U.S. These permits are what allow communities, utilities, and industries to discharge water safely.

Sally worked with state partners to bring greater efficiency and accountability to the process. It's a reminder of how much work goes on behind the scenes to keep our water systems functioning.

Breaking the Mold: Women in Water

One of the most memorable parts of our conversation was Sally’s reflection on being a woman in water when very few women were in the room.

She shared a moment early in her career when she wore a pink suit to a meeting—an outfit that made the men visibly uncomfortable. “I toned it down after that,” she said with a laugh. But it’s a story that says so much about how women have had to adapt to fit in—and how far we’ve come.

The Power of Expression and Support

Sally now sees growing numbers of female engineers and entrepreneurs entering the water industry—and she loves it. Their ideas, voices, and presence are changing the culture, and helping create workplaces where authenticity is welcome.

She also emphasized how vital it is that women support each other:

“We need each other’s advice, counsel, and encouragement. We have to stop thinking there are only one or two seats at the table. We need to add more chairs—and fill them with more women.”

That’s the mindset shift she’s encouraging - from scarcity to abundance. We need more hearts, minds, and perspectives focused on the big issues if we’re truly going to make lasting progress.

A Message for the Next Generation

When asked what she’d whisper into the ears of young women joining the field, Sally didn’t hesitate:

“This is such an important profession. It matters. And we need you. It can be hard, yes—but that should give you even more reason to step up. You’ll end your career knowing you’ve contributed to something that truly improves lives.”

Even in retirement, Sally continues to advise and speak globally. Her recent trip to Spain to speak on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) shows she’s still deeply engaged in moving the water sector forward.

The Takeaway

This conversation left me feeling energized, hopeful, and more committed than ever to the work ahead. Sally is proof that wisdom, humility, and authenticity are powerful tools for transformation.

So whether you're deep in the water industry or simply curious about how we build a better future—this episode is one you don’t want to miss.

👉 Listen to the full episode here