Freshwater Forum
Join us for Current’s Freshwater Forum, the premier event of Chicago Water Week 2025! This inspiring evening will bring together water industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers to explore how cross-sector collaboration, corporate commitments, and emerging technologies are shaping the future of water.
The event will highlight the momentum behind Chicago’s growing water innovation ecosystem and the role of strategic industry partnerships in turning bold ideas into scalable solutions.
We’re honored to welcome Peter Annin—renowned environmental journalist, director of the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation at Northland College, and author of The Great Lakes Water Wars and Purified: How Recycled Sewage Is Transforming Our Water—as the forum's keynote speaker.
Event Program:
6:00 PM | Doors Open
6:30 PM | Opening Remarks
Alaina Harkness, CEO, Current & Great Lakes ReNEW
President Kari K. Steele, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Great Chicago
Bridget C. Coughlin, PhD, President & CEO, Shedd
6:50 PM | Keynote Peter Annin Presentation & Q&A
7:15 PM | Panel Discussion: Anchoring Innovation: How Industry is Driving Water Solutions
Christy George, President & CEO, Intersect Illinois
Bill Lowry, VP of Innovation & Strategic Development, Exelon
David Nowak, VP of Engineering, Sentry Equipment
Moderator: Nina Dudnik, PhD, Chief Commercial Officer, Current
7:45 PM | Networking & Celebration Continues
9:00 PM | Event Ends
The Freshwater Forum will take place at the Shedd Aquarium, where we’ll gather in the Aquarium Galleries—the perfect setting to celebrate water. You’ll also have the chance to experience Shedd’s newly opened Wonder of Water exhibit, featuring two massive, 28,110-gallon tanks showcasing saltwater and freshwater ecosystems side by side.
Support water innovation and help drive real solutions for the world's most pressing water challenges—donate to Current today and be part of the movement to grow our circular blue economy.