Leadership Development:  Essential Skills for Effective Leaders

Webinar Summary

This webinar, Leadership Development: Essential Skills for Effective Leaders, will provide participants with an overview of what it takes to lead successfully in today’s dynamic environment. The session will begin by setting the stage with a broad perspective on leadership, then move into key areas such as effective decision-making and the contrasting approaches of leading by example versus leading by design. We will explore the significance of understanding and aligning with organizational culture, as well as the role of negotiation skills in navigating complex challenges. Finally, the discussion will focus on strategies to inspire and motivate teams, ensuring participants leave with actionable insights to strengthen their own leadership capabilities.

Speaker Profile

Arvind K. Akela, P.E., BCEE, CEM, LEED® AP (BD+C) is the Director of Engineering at Silicon Valley Clean Water, with over 20 years of experience in water, wastewater, and energy systems. He oversees a $358M capital program and leads initiatives in sustainability, innovation, and regulatory compliance. Arvind has advanced energy efficiency, implemented cutting-edge strategies, and built regional collaborations. He holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from San José State University and a Bachelor’s from National Institute of Technology, Patna, India. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in California and holds multiple certifications such as LEED AP, BCEE, CEM. Arvind is a past President of the California Water Environment Association and a frequent speaker on utility innovation and clean energy. He has received national recognition for leadership in building resilient and sustainable utility operations.

Webinar Format

This webinar will include a moderated Q and A session following the speaker’s presentation. The session is open to environmental engineering and science professionals across all sectors and career stages. Our objective is to offer special insights on leading edge solutions for graduate and undergraduate students as well as early to mid-career environmental professionals who are considering specialty certification.

AAEES Board Certified Individuals: Attend this event and earn 1.5 PDHs towards your PDH requirements for maintaining your specialty certification.

Click here to register for this event.