LATEST FROM DONNA

• 26 Things I Learned At The Ag Innovation Investment Summit

  7/7/2016

  In early June, USAID and its partners hosted the first Ag Innovation Investment Summit to connect investors with innovators at the food-water-energy nexus and to accelerate game-changing technologies that can help smallholder farmers improve their productivity and competitiveness.

• Water: A Valued, Complex, And Critical Commodity

  8/13/2015

  I was listening to a web presentation recently on the value of water and heard this statement: "Most Americans don't understand the true value of water."

• Securing Water for Food: Investing in High-Potential Innovations

  3/24/2015

  Securing Water for Food aims to source and accelerate game-changing solutions that will increase water availability and promote efficient use of water in agriculture.

• A 2014 Year In Review: Speaking Up About Water

  2/2/2015

  It's been a busy year for water…from one city's reputation being negatively affected by water shut-offs to the effects of extreme drought on a state's livelihood.

• 2014 World Water Summit: Time For Action On The Global Water Agenda

  11/24/2014

  On Thursday, November 6, I attended The Economist's 2014 World Water Summit, where the world's leading thinkers on water policy, management, irrigation, technology, economic development, sanitation and hygiene and water-related risks gathered in London to catalyze action in response to the looming global water crisis.

• 80 Ideas You Need To Memorize About Water From The World Water Summit

  11/14/2014

  Last week, I attended The Economist's 2014 World Water Summit in London and sat among and listened to the world's leading thinkers on water policy, management, irrigation, technology, economic development, sanitation and hygiene and water-related risks to catalyze action in response to the looming global water crisis and the growing strain on our water resources.

• Water Utilities Own The Value Of Water Equation

  8/18/2014

  I was listening to a web presentation on the value of water and heard this statement: “Most Americans don’t understand the true value of water.” I would argue that most Americans don’t understand the true value of water utilities.

• “One Water” Communication: Language, Icons and Industry Color Palette

  6/30/2014

  Water is a multi-faceted good and a global priority that affects human beings and the wellbeing of companies and institutions that need water to survive. Those interested in shaping the future of water management are pushing the notion that water is water, whether drinking water, storm water, rain water, or used water. Doing so, according to the experts, encourages "comprehensive thinking, planning and management of our waters on a transformational scale” and pushes the industry towards a “one water” resource management.

• Purple Pipes: A Communication, Education, And Branding Issue

  4/29/2014

  In recent months, I've been evaluating visual representations of the water cycle, virtual water flows, water scarcity, infographics on the global water footprint, and presentations by senior leaders from water associations and water organizations. I've also been looking at projects involving public outreach and public perceptions regarding recycled water.

• One Water Communication: Standardizing How We Communicate Visually About Water

  4/22/2014

  I believe that we value what we know. We use scales, models and frameworks to help us understand complex matters and materials. Review the conceptual models and categorization efforts of Daniel Defoe, Charles Darwin, Anders Celsius, John Smith Elgin Marbles, Seamus Heaney, Tycho Brahe, Captain Bligh, and my favorite, Rear Admiral Francis Beaufort, author and developer of the Beaufort Wind Scale.

• Internal Branding Key To Creating Water Utility Employee Ambassadors

  3/25/2014

  Internal branding can ignite employee performance, strengthen the profit potential of a water utility, and play a key role in helping utility executives and leaders inform staff of their external-facing expectations. To stimultate employee brand support and organizational change, internal communication and branding efforts should be a direct and constructive expression of the organization’s vision and strategic plan.

• Taking Water From Invisible To Invaluable: 27 Communication Objectives

  2/7/2014

  As demands on the water sector increase, leaders interested in shaping the future of water management are pushing the notion that water is water, whether its drinking water, stormwater or wastewater. Doing so, according to the experts, encourages "comprehensive thinking, planning and management of our waters on a transformational scale. By Donna Vincent Roa, PhD, ABC, CSR-P

• Lessons On Communication For The Water Industry

  12/4/2013

  Water Online Radio talks to Dr. Donna Vincent Roa, water sector communication expert and managing partner of the Vincent Roa Group, about the importance of communication and innovation in the water industry.

• The Value Of Water: Much More Than A Matter Of Economics

  11/24/2013

  Earlier this month, the EPA published The Importance of Water in the US Economy, a follow-on report to a meeting of distinguished water leaders held December 2012 at American University on the value of water. A key finding of the report, which is based on a review of the literature and practice on the importance of water to the U.S. economy, is that it is difficult to find data that can accurately measure the true value of water to the economy. The data is elusive.