ALL STAFF 2025 AGENDA
Welcome to All Staff 2025
Prepare for liftoff! This year, we’re taking our All Staff experience to new heights—because at West Yost, the sky is not the limit. Our space-themed journey is all about exploration, innovation, and connection.
As we launch into 2025, we have an incredible mission ahead: strengthening our team, expanding our knowledge, and continuing to elevate West Yost as the water firm of choice. This event is an opportunity to learn from your fellow West Yosters, engage in thought-provoking professional development sessions, and build lasting connections. No mission would be complete without a little fun, plenty of networking opportunities, and our Duck Dinner awaits!
Our trajectory is set for another year of growth and impact. Thank you for being part of this journey, let’s make this an All Staff to remember!
- West Yost Leadership
ALL STAFF - AGENDA
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast Promenade Ballroom
8:30 AM - 9:40 AM Welcome Client Panel Promenade Ballroom
9:40 AM - 9:45 AM Quick Break Pr. Ballroom + Lounge
9:45 AM - 10:20 AM West Yost Nebula Speed Networking Promenade Ballroom
10:20 AM - 10:30 AM Full Team Photo - Outside! Riverfront Patio
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Networking Break & Fireside Chat with Leadership Pr. Ballroom + Lounge + Atrium
11:00 AM - 12:10 PM Breakout Sessions
Workshop: Navigating Career Paths: Shaping Your Future at West Yost
Tower Bridge A
Panel: Addressing Top Emerging Industry Challenges Promenade Ballroom
Presentation: A Guided Mission Through the Deltek System for Budgets & Beyond
12:10 PM - 1:05 PM Lunch & Networking
1:10 PM - 2:20 PM Breakout Sessions
Workshop: Mastering the Art & Science of Persuasive Writing & Storytelling
River City Ballroom
Promenade Ballroom + Atrium + Lounge + Patio
Tower Bridge A
Panel: Showcasing Cutting-Edge Tools Across the Water Industry Promenade Ballroom
Presentation: Pioneering Trends & Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Water River City Ballroom
2:20 PM - 3:00 PM Extended Break & Fireside Chat with Strategic Plan Champions Pr. Ballroom + Lounge + Atrium
3:00 PM - 4:10 PM Breakout Sessions
Workshop: Advanced Public Speaking Techniques to Lead & Inspire
Panel: Cross-Sector Opportunities: Gaining Experience Beyond Your Sector
Presentation: Insights for Tools & Software that Solve Cross-Discipline Challenges
Tower Bridge A
Promenade Ballroom
River City Ballroom
4:10 PM - 4:45 PM Choose Your Own Adventure Networking Break, Working Group & Committee Gatherings Pr. Ballroom + Lounge
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Closing Comments Promenade Ballroom
6:00 PM Duck Dinner Firehouse Restaurant
OLD SAC + FIREHOUSE RESTAURANT
TERRACE IS UPSTAIRS
EMBASSY SUITES
Beyond the Horizon: Advancing Water Resilience for Future Generations
Kick off All Staff 2025 with this year’s Opening Client Panel that bridges real-world expertise with West Yost’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
Facilitator: Abigail Madrone
• Sherry Shaw, General Manager, Walnut Valley Water District
• Ganesh Krishnamurthy, Assistant General Manager, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
• Kamie Loeser, Director of Water Resource Conservation, County of Butte
• Andy Fecko, General Manger, Placer County Water Agency
• Charles Duncan, West Yost
Tower Bridge A
Promenade Ballroom River City Ballroom
MILLENNIUM FALCON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
11:00AM -12:10PM (Choose One Adventure)
Workshop: Navigating Career Paths: Shaping Your Future at West Yost
Learn about the proposed career paths within West Yost and the development opportunities available for each career path. This session will provide an overview of career progression options, gain your feedback on the preliminary career paths, and highlight ways to align your interests and passions with different career opportunities.
Content Lead: Charles Duncan
Presenters:
• Lindsay Smith, Tiana Michaud
Panel: Addressing Top Emerging Industry Challenges
Explore the most pressing challenges facing the water industry and their impact across multiple disciplines. This session will provide insights into emerging issues and offer tools and strategies to navigate these evolving challenges.
Facilitator and Content Lead: Abigail Madrone
Panelists:
• Andy Malone, Kathryn Gies, Greg Smith, Andy Rodgers
Presentation: A Guided Mission Through the Deltek System for Budgets and Beyond
Gain a better understanding of Deltek’s capabilities and how to navigate the system more efficiently. This session will cover essential functions, helpful shortcuts, and key takeaways to streamline your workflow.
Content Lead: Doris Gravette
Presenters:
• Radu Dragomir, Leah Ehresman
T.A.R.D.I.S. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
1:10PM - 2:20PM (Choose One Adventure)
Workshop: Mastering the Art and Science of Persuasive Writing and Storytelling
Improve your technical writing by incorporating storytelling, persuasive language, and clarity. Learn techniques to craft concise, compelling, and effective reports and presentations that engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
Content Lead: Hawkeye Sheene
Presenters:
• Talia Bravo, Rachel Lanigan
Panel: Showcasing Cutting-Edge Tools Across the Water Industry
Get an overview of the latest advancements in water such as: water reuse, PFAS destruction, and real-time water monitoring. This session will highlight how emerging technologies are shaping the future of sustainable water management and industry innovation.
Facilitator and Content Lead: Greg Chung
Panelists:
• Ked Szana, Nick Hyett-Schnell, Hashnat Badsha, Clay Sorensen
Presentation: Pioneering Trends and Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Water
Explore how AI is being used in the water industry for predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and resource optimization. This session will provide insights into AI’s potential benefits, challenges, and applications in water management.
Content Lead: Chris Leister
Presenters:
• Guest Speaker from Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG)
STARSHIP ENTERPRISE BREAKOUT SESSIONS
3:00PM - 4:10PM (Choose One Adventure)
Workshop: Advanced Public Speaking Techniques to Lead and Inspire
Develop confidence in your speaking abilities with practical techniques to engage, persuade, and inspire your audience. Learn how to manage nerves, bring enthusiasm to your delivery, and keep your message clear and impactful.
Content Lead: Erik Ehresman
Presenters:
• Garrett Rapp, Nick Belmont
Panel: Cross-Sector Opportunities: Gaining Experience Beyond Your Sector
This panel will explore how cross-sector experiences can enhance professional growth and organizational success. Participants will collaborate to identify potential opportunities, discuss the benefits and challenges, and explore strategies to balance meaningful cross-sector engagement with maintaining productivity in primary roles. Through your shared insights and ideation, we’ll gather perspectives on how to develop an effective and sustainable crosssector experience initiative.
Facilitator and Content Lead: Lindsay Smith, Vanessa Bautista & Juliana Azevedo
Panelists:
• Michael Gruenbaum, Whitney Sandelin, Emma Erickson, Bobby Vera
Presentation: Insights for Tools and Software that Solve Cross-Discipline Challenges
Prepare to go “back to the future” to learn about tools and software that enhance collaboration and efficiency across disciplines. This session will highlight practical applications of internal platforms, task management tools, and Microsoft software (Teams, Planner, OneNote, Excel etc.) to improve workflow.
Content Lead: David Garrison + Ben Stanton
Presenters:
• Carolina Sanchez, Charles Hardy
Constellation of Commitment
MISSIONS PINS
DAWN VOYAGER
Be one of the first 15 attendees to arrive and earn this pin! Shuttle doors open at 7AM.
QUANTUM-SPARK STAR SEEKER
Show initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm in igniting ideas, motivation, and energy!
Complete the Networking Orbit Card to earn this pin.
FLIGHT SUPPORT
INSIGHT NAVIGATOR
Insight Navigators are your guides through the West Yost starfield.
Questions? Just ask!
SESSION SPECIALIST
Content leads, presenters, and panelists—oh my! This pin is for those who make professional development possible.
Launch Crew Legends
This pin marks launching into your first All Staff adventure!
Honoring our focus group for launching All Staff into the stratosphere!
ROOKIE ASTRONAUT FOCUS GROUP
HOME PLANET PATCHES
Show your West Yost spirit by proudly displaying your Home Planet Patch on your laptop, water bottle, or wherever you roam. Each patch represents the unique identity of our offices across the West Yost galaxy—because West Yost is powered by a crew of bold, diverse, and adventurous explorers. Wear your patch with pride, and after All Staff, don’t forget to visit other offices and collect their patches to complete your constellation of connection!
CONNECT DAY+ALL STAFF+DUCK DINNER
The All Staff Focus Group plays an advisory role in shaping the event. Using survey results and feedback from the previous year, they help narrow down the technical, professional development, and interactive sessions and activity options to best reflect the firm’s interests. The group meets four times over a few months and contributes through discussions, polls, and surveys. Thank you for your time and commitment to the firm!
Jason Alandy, Indigo Bannister, Nick Belmont, Josh Dickerson, Christine Encelan, Emma Erickson, Charles Hardy, Lexi Kercado, Tiana Michaud, Austin Oerding, Christina Ramirez, Lucas Russell, Andy Smith, Jeremy Smith, Lory Widmer.
Session Specialists, including both Content Leads and Presenters, are essential to the success of All Staff. Content Leads help shape the focus of the session and act as a sounding board for Presenters as they refine their ideas. Together, they collaborate to create engaging, relevant sessions that reflect our team’s interests and goals. Thank you for your creativity, thoughtfulness, and dedication to making All Staff a success!
Juliana Azevedo, Hashnat Badsha, Vanessa Bautista, Nick Belmont, Greg Chung, Radu Dragomir, Charles Duncan, Leah Ehresman, Erik Ehresman, Emma Erickson, Andy Fecko (guest), Kathryn Gies, Doris Gravette, Michael Gruenbaum, Charles Hardy, Nick Hyett-Schnell, Ganesh Krishnamurthy (guest), Rachel Lanigan, Chris Leister, Kamie Loeser (guest), Andy Malone, Abigail Madrone, Tiana Michaud, Andy Rodgers, Garrett Rapp, Carolina Sanchez, Whitney Sandelin, Hawkeye Sheene, Sherry Shaw (guest), Lindsay Smith, Greg Smith, Ben Stanton, Clay Sorensen, Ked Szana, Bobby Vera, Environmental Financial Consulting Group (guest).
The Communications Team takes great pride in supporting the success of Connect Day and All Staff. From securing the event venue, coordinating hotel accommodations and guiding the Focus Group to managing communications and implementing the leadership team’s vision, they handle many of the moving parts behind the scenes. They develop the event theme, design all printed materials, and add creative touches like the pins, stickers, and decor that bring the experience to life. They greatly enjoy the opportunity to take care, creativity, and utilize a genuine love for making the event special for everyone involved.
Derrick Bouchard, Radu Dragomir, Caitlin Duncan, David Garrison, Holly Gerhard, Yahaira Lopez, Hawkeye Sheene.
The IT Team provides essential support to keep Connect Day and All Staff running smoothly behind the scenes. From setting up equipment to troubleshooting on the spot, their work makes it possible for every presentation and virtual connection to go off without a hitch.
Casey Duncan, Alex Metz, Andy Peregoy, Ryan Polster, Ben Stanton.
The Administrative Team supports travel logistics for team members attending Connect Day and All Staff, helping everyone get where they need to be with ease. They also organize the legendary Duck Dinner—an annual tradition that brings the entire firm together as well as family and friends, for a well-deserved evening of celebration.
Bridget Boyd, Katie Green, Alissa Hanna-Pickering, Lizzie Page, Chiara Ziviani-Gonzales.
A special thank you to the HR Team for all of their support and assistance, Peri Siepman for her proactive and valuable support, and to the West Yost team members who bring excellence and positive energy to these events and experiences.
