Wendy Francken

Wendy Francken is a prominent figure in the European water sector with over 20 years of experience in wastewater management, sustainable urbanization, and water environment policies. In May 2023, she assumed the presidency of the European Water Association (EWA) for the 2023–2025 term, succeeding Raymond Erpelding. Prior to this, she served as EWA’s Vice President and chaired the European Policy Committee, actively engaging with EU institutions on topics such as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the Green Deal.  Beyond her role at EWA, Francken is the Managing Director of VLARIO, an independent non-governmental organization in Flanders, Belgium, serving as a consulting platform and information center for sewerage professionals.  Francken is an active speaker at international forums, including conferences organized by IKT and IFAT, where she shares expertise on topics like sustainable water management, climate change adaptation, and innovations in urban infrastructure.