Global water expertise in new SIWI board

The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) has appointed a new board with broad international representation and high-level expertise in the areas of water and climate. Comprising leading experts and key stakeholders with extensive experience in global water issues, the new board further strengthens SIWI’s role in advancing water resource management worldwide.

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Andreas Karlsson

Director,

Communications

“Water is crucial to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change and poverty to biodiversity loss. SIWI is already one of the world’s foremost actors in the water sector, and with this new board, we are further enhancing SIWI’s ability to contribute to solutions for these complex issues,” says Caroline Andersson, Acting Executive Director of SIWI.

The new board brings together professionals from diverse sectors, areas of expertise, and regions. The newly appointed chair is Tom Panella, former Director Natural Capital and Climate Team, Asian Development Bank, and a recognized authority on global water issues.

“SIWI has long been at the forefront of addressing critical global water challenges. I am extremely honoured to join the organization, and I look forward to working alongside SIWI’s diverse team of experts and partners. Together, we can continue finding solutions to meet the pressing water issues affecting communities and ecosystems around the world,” says Panella.

“I am extremely honoured to join the organization, and I look forward to working alongside SIWI's diverse team of experts and partners.”

Tom Panella, Chair of SIWI

Previously, the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and the Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF) shared a common board. Through a governance restructuring, the two entities now have separate boards. This change is part of an effort to refine SIWI’s operations, ensuring a sharper focus on promoting sustainable and equitable water management globally.

“From SWF’s perspective, we are pleased to welcome a board with such a vast range of experience in water-related issues. This will further strengthen SIWI’s role in driving progress in the water sector and fostering sustainable solutions. SWF and SIWI have collaborated for nearly three decades, and with this new board, we can continue developing our joint efforts. This is particularly important for World Water Week, which serves as a key platform for the prizes managed by SWF—the Stockholm Water Prize and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize,” says Anette Scheibe Lorentzi, Chair of SWF.

The theme for World Water Week 2025 is “Water for Climate Action”, highlighting the critical role of water in the fight against climate change and emphasizing the opportunities and solutions that can contribute to a more sustainable future.

The new board of SIWI

Tom Panella
Chair of the Steering Committee, Action Platform for Source to Sea Management and former Director Natural Capital and Climate Team, Asian Development Bank.

Zahra Kalantari
Professor at Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Director of Water Centre, KTH.

Virginia Newton-Lewis
Director of Water Sustainability, Grundfos.

Christopher Flensborg
Head of SEB Water.

Mark Smith
Director General, International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Rashid Mbaziira
Executive Secretary, African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).

Sareen Mahira Malik
Executive Secretary African Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation (ANEW) and Vice Chair of the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Steering Committee.

Mark Fletcher
Global Water Business Leader, Arup.