American Water, a Camden-based regulated water and wastewater utility, participated in the virtual 2025 Leadership Conference for Women in Water & Wastewater, hosted by EUCI on Oct. 21-22. The conference gathered industry leaders to discuss essential topics from executive leadership to operational excellence.
Two American Water executives contributed their expertise to national panels, underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing equity and amplifying diverse voices in the utility sector.
Confidence and executive presence
Denise Venuti Free, vice president of External Communications at American Water, served as a speaker on the panel titled “Confidence and Executive Presence.” The discussion centered on the mindsets, behaviors, and communication styles that build trust, drive clarity, and position women leaders for success in high-stakes environments.
“Denise is a champion for clear communication,” Maureen Duffy, EVP, Communications & External Affairs, American Water, said. “Her presence on the panel reflects American Water’s broader commitment to amplifying voices across our workforce and supporting the next generation of leaders in the utility industry.”
Venuti Free shared her experience leading communications in the industry, stating that authenticity and consistency were key to her leadership. “Executive presence is built through clarity of purpose, confidence in action and the courage to lead with empathy,” she added. “Contributing to this panel was a meaningful opportunity to uplift the experiences of women in our field.”
Breaking barriers in the industry
Additionally, Emily Zidanic, senior supervisor of Operations at New Jersey American Water, participated on a panel titled “Breaking Barriers: Building Support and Challenging the Status Quo in Water and Wastewater.”
American Water’s participation reflects its commitment to sharing knowledge, uplifting voices, and advancing equity across the water and wastewater sector.
