Executive Director

+31 53 489 3911

Rick takes the lead in the Water Footprint Network. He does so with great enthusiasm, and alongside his faculty position (Asst. Professor) at the University of Twente. Always keen on the content, he’s particularly interested in how the water footprint concept can inform policy planning and corporate strategy. He enjoys sharing his passion for water, for instance through his TEDx Talk .

Management Assistant

+31 53 489 4322

Dorette is responsible for our general management support. She is the first port of call for people contacting Water Footprint Network.

Coordinator School Projects

+31 53 489 7404

Lara is coordinating our school projects. She does this work alongside her Postdoctoral research on the grey water footprint of pharmaceuticals from humans and livestock.

Coordinator WaterPub

+31 53 489 4799

Han is our data wizard and maintains the WaterPub databases. Beside his responsibilities for the WFN, Han is working on his PhD research at the University of Twente, focussing on modelling humanity’s water footprint through a consumption perspective.

Senior Researcher and Trainer

Ertug has a broad experience in advising both companies and governmental entities. He has initiated and led a number of major Water Footprint Assessment projects, such as Bangladesh Water PACT, C&A Water Strategy and Yasar Group Water Risk Assessment.

Coordinator Outreach

Oleks is a water-enthusiast and his drive to make this world a better place through the lens of water is contagious. Beside his outreach responsibilities for the WFN, Oleks is working on his PhD research at the University of Twente, focussing on modelling humanity’s water footprint through a production perspective.

Software Developer

Michiel specialises in open source information technology, applied to human geography. He develops our cutting edge online tools, such as the National Water Footprint Explorer and Water Footprint Assessment tool.

Chair

themba.bumbo@cap-net.org

Bekithemba (Themba) is Directer of Cap-Net UNDP, an international network for capacity development in sustainable water management. Themba, trained in Zimbabwe, England and the Netherlands, is a civil engineer and holds a PhD in water and sanitation. He is a national from Zimbabwe, permanently resident now in South Africa, and currently living in Brazil.

Member

arjen.devries@acaciawater.com

Arjen has a broad background, with special reference to institutional and organizational aspects of water projects. As general manager of Acacia Water, a Netherlands-based consultancy firm, Arjen is responsible for managing a group of (ground) water experts. He always tries to translate the latest scientific developments in the field of hydrology and environment to innovative and practical solutions.

Member

a.chapagain@gmail.com

Ashok is Senior Professor at the University of Free State, South Africa. He was Science Director of Water Footprint Network from 2013 to mid-2017 and earlier worked for WWF-UK. Originally an irrigation engineer in Nepal, Ashok did his MSc and PhD at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education.

Researcher, trainer, adviser

maite.aldaya@gmail.com

Maite is researcher at the Institute for Sustainability & Food Chain Innovation  (ISFOOD) and assistant professor doctor at the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Spain. She has a vast experience in water footprint research and training.