Our team

Stubbs is a recognized leader in implementing sustainable economic development strategies and building resilient communities. He has over twenty years of experience leading technologically and environmentally focused projects in Chicago, Silicon Valley, and Ohio. As President and Executive Director of Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), he oversees the development of one of the most effective water innovation clusters in North America.

Stubbs has grown the organization’s reach and impact around the hypothesis that improving water quality through innovative technology and strengthening a regional economy are not mutually exclusive. CWA recently mobilized $5 million of investments from federal, state, and municipal supporters into its world-class Water Accelerator Testbeds and has catalyzed explosive water economy job creation that is outpacing that of the advanced manufacturing, biohealth, and additive manufacturing industries.

Stubbs earned his BA from the University of Kansas, his MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and his Executive MBA from the Presidio School of Sustainable Management.

Max Herzog is an impact professional dedicated to engaging diverse stakeholders in the development of tools and strategies that drive community innovation and resilience at the regional level. Since 2016 he has worked at the nexus of intelligent water systems, technology-led economic development, and collaborative Great Lake management as a Program Manager with Cleveland Water Alliance.

Max holds a BA from Oberlin College in Political Science and Environmental Studies.

Ebie Holst has been focused on water-related market trends and technologies since 2009, identifying key water-related challenges, commercial assets and innovation opportunities relevant to markets around the world. Founder and CEO of SplashLink, an online marketplace and market intelligence hub for the water industry (acquired by Toronto-based WatrHub), Ebie Holst served as Interim CEO for Jet, Inc., a wastewater treatment solutions company in Cleveland and has worked closely with Cleveland Water Alliance on strategic initiatives in innovation and economic development.

A Price Waterhouse and 12-year Silicon Valley veteran in information technology, as well as a seasoned consultant and navigator of the start-up landscape, Ebie has worked in both information and clean technology, and brings over 25 years of management and practical experience in the strategic design and launch of new business models and alliance initiatives across multiple sectors and global industries. Within the water industry, Ebie has been tapped as an advisor and speaker on water issues, opportunities, trends and technical considerations by organizations including The White House and Brown, Gibbons Lang & Company, as well as water-intensive industry stakeholders such as Oil & Gas. In addition to industry speaking engagements on innovation, market intelligence, smart water and regional water challenges.

In addition to consulting in management and technology, Ebie has served on the Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) for the U.S. Department of Commerce on global markets for water and wastewater technologies, and is a graduate of The University of Michigan.

Samantha blends a background of stewarding partnerships, process creation, and mission-based storytelling. She is passionate about engaging in her local community and holds a BA from Baldwin-Wallace College in Public Relations and Political Science.

Jeff Pu is a postdoctoral research fellow dedicated to understanding water resource issues. His work so far has focused on integrating and deploying various innovative water resource sensors to understand environmental issues (i.e., Flooding, Erosion, and Harmful Algal Blooms) around Lake Erie.

His research has been jointly funded through Cleveland Water Alliance, LimnoTech, and NOAA CIGLR. You can find his work on various sensors around the Lake Erie region on YouTube, Twitter, and Engineering Blog. He hopes to share his findings with diverse stakeholders and contribute to ongoing efforts to protect Great Lakes’ water resources.

Jeff obtained his PhD in Water Resource Engineering from the State University of New York - College of Environmental Science and Forestry and MS and BS in Environmental Engineering from Drexel University.

Emily Hamilton is a relationship management professional with a strong background in software and B2b services. Beginning her career in the start-up world, she excels in fast-paced environments and calls upon a blend of creative problem-solving and process development skills. She is passionate about identifying exciting technologies and assisting innovators in navigating stakeholder interests and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Diane Quimper-Balliett obtained her MA in 2020 which focused on projects and research trips geared towards sustainability and the intricacies of human-caused problems in a biodiverse world. She loves brainstorming and bringing to the table thought-provoking analyses to squeeze the most out of projects and planning. Diane is most inspired when learning from people who come from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and sharing in environmental stewardship through her research and global travels. She thrives on active roles that shape a positive future for ourselves and the planet.