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Bryan Stubbs joined Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) as Executive Director in 2014, bringing with him a unique blend of entrepreneurial drive and dedication to environmental stewardship. Over the past decade, he has shaped CWA into a leading organization in freshwater innovation and economic development, guiding it to become a global hub for water technology.
As his first official hire and the longest-tenured CWA employee, I am proud to reflect on his leadership journey with the organization as he celebrates his 10-year anniversary alongside CWA.
Bryan’s introduction to Cleveland Water Alliance came while he was involved in regional competitiveness and community economic development. He was approached by three founding board members—Jenny Brown, Dorothy Baunach, and Rebecca Bagley—who recognized in him the mix of entrepreneurial energy and environmental commitment that CWA needed.
Reflecting on his decision to join, Bryan recalls, “The Great Lakes region had all the ingredients needed for a water technology revolution; it just needed the right coordination. It was a huge opportunity.” Recognizing that water innovation was on the brink of major impact, he stepped in to lead and shape CWA’s mission.
Bryan’s path to CWA is rooted in entrepreneurial leadership and community impact. As a seasoned entrepreneur, he built, scaled, and exited several businesses before earning his MBA from the University of Illinois Chicago. After his last business exit, Bryan shifted to community-focused economic development, working with one of the first EDA-funded incubators. Through this experience, he discovered his passion for combining business with environmental responsibility. This work led him to serve as Managing Director of the Oberlin Project, a partnership between the City of Oberlin and Oberlin College aimed at creating a scalable model for urban development that achieves carbon neutrality in a way that also benefits the economy. As his contract with Oberlin was ending, Bryan sought to continue his impact in the region. He was then approached about leading Cleveland Water Alliance. Recognizing the opportunity to drive meaningful change in water innovation, Bryan took on the role, setting the foundation for CWA’s growth over the next decade.
Bryan’s first year at CWA centered on listening and collaboration. He met with each board member and engaged with key stakeholders to understand their goals, which quickly built relationships and facilitated partnerships. One significant initiative during this time was Cleveland’s EarthFest with the theme "Year of Clean Water," an event that featured 270 exhibits focused on raising awareness about water pollution and encouraging actions to reduce negative impacts on drinking water sources. This commitment to listening and aligning with community needs, along with the development of strong partnerships, helped establish CWA’s early direction and set the stage for impactful work in the future.
CWA utilized these community-driven conversations to shape its mission and build impactful programming. This approach led to initiatives like Erie Hack, which I had the privilege of launching for CWA in 2016. This competition brought together innovators to address Great Lakes challenges. Under Bryan’s leadership, CWA also forged global partnerships, including a collaboration with Techwin, a South Korean company, making Avon Lake the first North American utility to pilot their advanced water monitoring technology. Additionally, Bryan launched the Freshwater Innovation Fund, aimed at investing in early-stage water technologies to accelerate solutions to some of the world’s most critical water challenges.
Bryan remains focused on expanding our organization’s impact. He is continuously working to drive job creation, grow our technology portfolio, and establish Cleveland as a destination for water technology innovation. By fostering a network for testing and deploying new water technologies, Bryan sees Cleveland becoming a hub for solutions that benefit both the environment and the economy. The most fulfilling aspect of his role is knowing that his work adds real value to communities and the environment. The positive impact he sees keeps him motivated, and he is grateful to work alongside such passionate and driven people—his team, partners, and entire network.
Reflecting on his journey with CWA, Bryan emphasizes the importance of teamwork and shared vision. "No one succeeds alone,” he says. “I’m immensely grateful for our team, our board, and community leaders who have helped make this vision a reality. It truly takes a village.”
As we look back on these 10 years of milestones, we honor Bryan’s leadership and look forward to a future filled with opportunities for water quality improvement, economic growth, and sustainable development. Under Bryan’s leadership, Cleveland Water Alliance is poised for another decade of making waves in the water economy.
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