Karen Rouse, former Chief Executive Officer, departed Water Research Australia on 29 October 2024, after eight years of transformative leadership, to pursue new passions.

Under Karen’s guidance, WaterRA achieved significant growth, reinforcing its role as a leader in collaborative water research. Mark Gobbie, Chair of the WaterRA Board, expressed deep gratitude for Karen’s contributions, describing her as a visionary who made an “extraordinary contribution” to the organisation. “We are deeply grateful for her leadership and commitment to WaterRA and its members,” he said.

While Karen’s departure marks the end of an era, WaterRA remains well-positioned for continued success. “Our operations and services will continue without interruption, and our team is well-equipped to maintain the high standards of service and support you expect from us,” Mark Gobbie added.

Chief Operating Officer Mark Andersson has stepped into the role of Interim CEO while the recruitment process for a new CEO is underway. The Board of Directors is actively searching for a new leader who will build upon Karen’s legacy and guide WaterRA into the future.