The Water Council & Marquette to host Nexus Summit on Oct. 14 & 15

Data centers, the cradle-to-cradle economy, changes to the insurance industry and more are on the agenda Oct. 14 and 15 for the second annual Nexus Sustainability Leaders Summit, hosted by The Water Council and Marquette University’s College of Business Administration Sustainability Lab (S-Lab).

Featured speakers include Shaolei Ren, an expert on artificial intelligence, energy and public health at University of California, Riverside. His work has shaped AI governance frameworks and driven industry innovation, such as the development of the first real-time water footprint reporting tool for computing.

“Shaolei will highlight the energy and water concerns surrounding data centers and AI and how society can address them, which is especially relevant given the recent announcements of new data centers in Wisconsin and worldwide,” said Chris Merker, co-director of the S-Lab.

Emilio Tenuta, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer at Ecolab, will offer insights into corporate sustainability in a changing political and economic environment.

The first Nexus Summit was held in 2024 through the combination of The Water Council’s annual Water Leaders Summit and Marquette’s Sustainability 2.0 Conference, drawing nearly 200 people. This year’s summit will again be held at the Harley-Davidson Museum with moderator Charles Fishman, journalist and author of “The Big Thirst.” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson will open the summit.

“We are excited about this year’s lineup and how it highlights corporate leadership, financial interests and innovation to discuss viable sustainability solutions,” said Karen Frost, The Water Council executive director.

The summit is sponsored by several local and international companies, led by Watts Water Technologies, A. O. Smith Corporation, Badger Meter and Baird.

Registration is now open. Discounts are available for startups, students, and members of The Water Council and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Members of the media who wish to attend should contact Stacy Vogel Davis.

WHAT: Nexus Sustainability Leaders Summit, a gathering of thought leaders exploring the latest topics in water, energy, resilience and innovation through thought-provoking discussions and dynamic networking.
WHEN: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15
WHO: The Water Council and Marquette University’s College of Business Administration Sustainability Lab
WHERE: Harley-Davidson Museum “Garage”
400 W. Canal St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202

About The Water Council
The Water Council (TWC) is a global hub dedicated to solving critical water challenges by driving innovation in freshwater technology and advancing water stewardship. Built on more than a century of innovation, TWC has coalesced one of the most concentrated and mature water technology clusters in the world from its headquarters at the Global Water Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Recognizing the need for smarter and more sustainable use of water worldwide, TWC also promotes water stewardship as a natural complement to water innovation in the effort to preserve freshwater resources in the Midwest and around the world. Today, The Water Council has established itself as a global leader in the water industry and one of America’s premier economic development clusters as recognized by government agencies, Brookings and the Harvard Business School.

About Marquette University:
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.