WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has appointed Brown and Caldwell’s Natalie Sierra as vice chair of its Residuals and Biosolids Committee (RBC) with immediate effect.

The RBC develops, recommends, and conducts programs to provide information on management options, regulatory compliance, and environment-friendly practices for residuals and biosolids.

Bringing over 20 years of biosolids treatment, management, and planning experience, Sierra will help drive the RBC’s mission to educate WEF members, the public, and policymakers on complex residuals and biosolids issues and encourage stakeholder collaboration per the role’s scope.

As Brown and Caldwell Solids and Energy National Practice Lead, she has led numerous large-scale biosolids management strategies for utilities across the country. Her expertize includes end-use planning, solids treatment technology assessment, co-digestion methods, waste-to-energy applications, and regulatory management.

In the role of RBC vice chair, she will work with committee and WEF members to support and promote cost-effective, science-based biosolids and energy technology practices and policies related to municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewater residuals for environmental protection.

With a passion for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sierra aims to boost the participation and visibility of underrepresented groups within the committee, WEF, and the industry as a whole. Furthermore, she will act as an ambassador to assist the RBC in advancing the industry through recruiting, mentoring, and developing the residuals and biosolids profession.

“I’m thrilled Natalie is taking on this WEF leadership role. Her technical expertise and insight, paired with a dedication to inclusivity, will benefit the industry as we strive to boost young professional interest and positively impact our communities.”
Brown and Caldwell Chief Technical Officer Cindy Paulson

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Sierra is a licensed professional engineer and holds a master’s in water resources engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s in agricultural and biological engineering from Cornell.