NWHA Annual Conference Agenda 
            
Join us for an inspiring lineup of sessions, panels, and networking opportunities at the NWHA Conference. The agenda features thought-provoking keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and discussions on the latest trends and innovations shaping our industry. 
        Tuesday, February 24th Schedule
The Cube of Creativity with Andrew Davis
Why adding constraints sparks innovation, action, & builds business.
We all need bigger budgets, more resources, more time! You'd love faster licensing renewals, fewer regulatory hurdles, and cutting-edge technology for aging infrastructure. Yeah, we'd all love to see environmental compliance that doesn't take decades, innovation funding that matches other renewables, and respect for hydro's critical role!
We're all stressed out, overworked, and balancing environmental stewardship with keeping the lights on.
Maybe, instead of fighting all these constraints, we need to embrace them.
It turns out teams that embrace constraints fuel growth, evolve fast, and deliver outsized results. The truth is that constraints breed creativity!
In this exhilarating 47-minute session, Andrew Davis will introduce you to the Cube of Creativity, four creative constraints you can add to any project, initiative, or plan to drive better outcomes faster.
You'll learn how one non-profit turned a shutdown into millions of dollars in donations. Andrew will reveal how a small bet with massive limitations resulted in a best-selling book. He'll show you how one business beat the odds by snooping through old SEC filings. You'll even learn how an intern transformed a multi-million dollar business in less than twelve hours. You'll even see how one infrastructure project flew through the approval process, when everyone embraced the constraints.
More importantly, you'll walk away ready to apply intelligent constraints to your hydropower initiatives, limitations that result in more innovation, less burnout, and outsized results.
Are you ready to embrace the constraints?

2:30-3:00 Networking
Location: Lobby
3:00-4:00 Legal and Regulatory Stream- What Does Unleashing American Energy Mean for Hydropower?Location: Heritage
What is the current administration doing to "unleash American energy," and what does that really mean when it comes to hydropower — a renewable resource that's been part of our nation's energy story for generations, yet now faces aging infrastructure, environmental challenges, and shifting energy priorities?
This session takes a closer look at how hydropower fits into the bigger picture of American energy independence and the ongoing energy transition. You'll hear how recent federal and state policy changes are shaping the future of hydropower — and what new opportunities and challenges this "unleashing" of energy could bring to the industry.
Join industry leaders and policy experts for a timely and engaging conversation about the evolving role of separated in America's energy landscape.
Moderator: Michael Purdie
Speakers:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are transforming how hydropower operators and resource managers monitor, manage, and protect both natural systems and critical infrastructure. This panel explores the practical use of drone technology to collect and apply high-resolution spatial data for environmental monitoring, habitat management, and regulatory compliance. Panelists will share real-world case studies demonstrating how UAS are being used to map channel migration, support river restoration efforts, monitor wildlife habitat, and detect and treat noxious weeds—improving ecological outcomes, enhancing infrastructure protection, and increasing operational efficiency.
Moderator: Joe Hagengruber
Speakers: Dakota Whitman and Aaron Utz
It seems like every other day we are reading about a new SCOTUS decision that impacts the hydropower industry. This session will explore some of the most significant recent and ongoing legal cases impacting hydropower projects across the country. Experts will examine how litigation is shaping policy interpretations, influencing licensing outcomes, and affecting project timelines and operational flexibility. From nationwide injunctions to NEPA and 401 water quality certifications, attendees will gain insight into key court decisions, emerging legal trends that could impact project development, operation, and compliance.
Moderators: Elizabeth McCormick
Speakers: Jenna Mandell-Rice and Kari Vander Stoep
Bring your constraints and let's embrace them.
Now you've seen how powerful embracing constraints can be, it's time to put the Cube of Creativity into practice with your real hydropower challenges.
Yes, bring your biggest headaches, your regulatory nightmares, and your resource limitations. Watch LIVE as Andrew works with you to transform actual constraints facing the hydro industry into creative catalysts, using nothing but a dry erase board and the collective expertise in the room.
Got a 10-year licensing process that's killing momentum? Environmental compliance requirements that seem impossible? Aging infrastructure with shrinking budgets? Let's flip these constraints into advantages! Together we'll explore what it takes to turn the limitations that keep you up at night into the innovations that drive our industry forward.
Are you ready to embrace your constraints? Let's get to work.
Host: Andrew Davis

Wednesday, February 25th Schedule
Moderator: Dale Campbell
Speakers: Elizabeth Cook, Andy Wendell, and Richard McGuire
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more deeply integrated into energy, infrastructure, and environmental sectors, organizations must navigate a complex landscape of legal, regulatory, and cybersecurity risks. This session will examine the key considerations for deploying AI responsibly and securely—ranging from data privacy and intellectual property concerns to liability, transparency, and compliance with emerging regulations. The speaker will also address the cybersecurity implications of AI systems, including vulnerabilities, threat detection, and the risk of adversarial attacks. Whether you're adopting AI tools for operations, analysis, or communications, this session will provide practical guidance on safeguarding your systems and staying on the right side of the law in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Session Presenter: Alison Grounds
Moderators: Leska Fore
Speakers: Justin Bush, Keith DeHart, and Lisa DeBruyckere
9:30-10:30 The Evolution of Recreation Monitoring at Hydroelectric Developments
Location: Discovery A
Moderators: Brent Denham
Speakers: Kumar Prabakar, Andrew VanNess, and Joe Paul
Speaker: LeRoy Shingoitewa
Moderator: Chad Croft
Speakers: Garth Wyatt
Thursday, February 26th Schedule
Moderator: Scott Simms
Speakers: Kyle Murphy
Moderator: Nathan Rockwood
Moderators: Josh Gile
Speakers: Woodrow Fields, Jason Needham, and Brent Sullivan
Moderators: Dan Chase
Speakers: Scott Wright, Dave Coffman, Stephanie Quinn- Davidson, and Mort McMillen
Shifting priorities, staffing changes, and budget constraints at federal agencies are creating ripple effects across the hydropower licensing and compliance landscape. As federal agencies navigate evolving missions and resource limitations, their capacity to engage in timely and consistent regulatory processes is being tested.
This session will examine how changes in federal resources—human, financial, and institutional—are influencing hydropower project timelines, consultation dynamics, and outcomes. Panelists will share on-the-ground perspectives from industry, agency, and legal viewpoints, exploring both the challenges and opportunities that arise when federal partners are stretched thin or reprioritizing. Attendees will gain practical insight into how the hydropower industry can adapt, collaborate, and advocate for effective engagement in an era of constrained federal capacity.
Moderator: Jeff Leahey
Speakers: Matt Cutlip, Steve Hocking, and Shari Anderson
