Our Team
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Robert Strand
Executive Director
robert@strandip.comRobert Strand is a philanthropist, environmental advocate, actor, filmmaker and the founder and Executive Director of global non–profit, World Water Film Festival (WWFF). Robert applies his 30-year background as a renowned Creative Brand Strategist and Licensing expert to his passion for water justice, leading him to build this film festival to focus on water.
He worked with Marie-Cécile and Stephanie at the NBA.
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Marie-Cécile Girard-Jones
Festival Director
mcecile.jones@gmail.comMarie-Cecile is a Global Licensing, Business Development and Branding expert with 20+ years of experience managing Consumer Products programs for leading Entertainment, Pop Culture, Educational & Sports properties such as the NBA, Marvel, Sesame Workshop and CBS. Trilingual (French, English, Spanish), Marie-Cecile is a creative and strategic problem-solver with the ability to tackle complex issues.
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Stephanie Schwartz
Head of Strategy and Communications
Msstephanieschwartz@gmail.comStephanie Schwartz is a global marketing, communications and events executive with three decades of leadership experience across sports, entertainment, and higher education. Known for a "reputation-first" approach, she has led transformative, tech-driven marketing and brand innovations at world-class organizations including the NBA and Yale University. Stephanie is an avid AI learner and an even more avid tree evangelist.
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Lilly Nelson
Director of Programming
lilly.nelson.actress@gmail.comLilly is a Jill-of-all-trades. She can be seen acting in several films such as Electric Jesus and Tapochki, and wrote, directed, and starred in Thumb War! a feature that won awards at the Portland Film Festival, Reedy Reels and West Sound Film Festival in Seattle Washington (where she took best actress). Her recent theatre credits include Annelle (Steel Magnolias) Trouble in Mind (Judy) and Behind the Scenes (Anna).
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Mohammed Hammie
Director, East Africa
watervoice2030@gmail.comMohammed Hammie is a Human Rights, Water and Sanitation Journalist and Storyteller for social change based in Tanzania. He has been deeply involved in promoting water access in rural Tanzania and reporting on water issues. Working closely in the field with local communities has enabled him a rich understanding of the water crisis people face. Mo is activating events for WWFF in East Africa.
Facilitators & Advisors
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Katie Saglimbene
Director of Digital Marketing
katelyn.saglimbene@gmail.comKatie is a marketing visionary and implementer with 15+ years of experience. She has worked with organizations of all sizes and industries, helping grow their brands and connect with their audiences. Her experience spans small business ownership, agency life, and in-house marketing management, giving her a unique perspective on what it takes to turn ideas into action and strategy into results.
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Milin Patel
Water Advocate, Water Sommelier & Advisor
milin@worldofwaterconsultancy.comMilin Patel is a water consultant with over two decades of expertise in the water industry, ignited by his fascination with water since the age of ten.
As a trusted advisor to media outlets to include BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, The Times. He specialises in water treatment, hygiene, and technology for the built environment. Milin has served as a consultant and advisor to a myriad companies and organisation’s.
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Veronica Lutri
IGRAC Groundwater Correspondent and WWFF Argentina Ambassadores
vlutri@exa.unrc.edu.arWith over a decade of experience in groundwater contamination, she is committed to raising environmental awareness. Collaborating with IGRAC and WWFF she promotes water protection and scientific engagement and provides Spanish voice-overs for educational water videos.
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Sherif M Awad
Regional Director MENA & UN Conference Program
info@sherifawad-filmcritic.com
He is a film curator, journalist, media consultant, TV producer and international film programmer with more than 36 years of experience in the global film and media industries.
For the World Water Film Festival, Awad serves as Regional Director MENA & UN Conference Program, leading outreach and partnership development across the Middle East and North Africa region while supporting film programming, cultural partnerships, media relations, and engagement with regional institutions and stakeholders.
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Alan Haburchak
Director of Technical Production ahaburchak@gmail.com
Alan is a production Swiss Army Knife, with 15 years creating digital video, audio and journalism at companies like Semafor, The Wall Street Journal, Morning Brew, BuzzFeed and The New York Times. He's run teams as small as two producers and as big as 25, but also loves to shoot, edit, mix and fly drones. Alan is committed to protecting water resources for future generations and believes in the power of storytelling as tool for real change.
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Valeria Carrasco
Media Relations Director
valeria@hallettsconsulting.comValeria is a marketing communications expert with 15+ years of experience. She has built her career working across consumer products, entertainment and technology industries. She is passionate about helping consumers be better and think differently. Her client experience includes work for Beyond Meat, Blue Man Group, Hi-Arts NYC, KASHI, Siggi’s, Volvic, and more.
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Irene Trantas
Director of Educational Outreach
irenetrantas@hotmail.comIrene is a Boston University graduate and is the owner of North Star Fitness, in Philadelphia PA. She is a Meisner trained actress and her theatre experience includes co-founding Intrepid Theatre Company. She has many years of experience in building outreach and development, in the worlds of fitness and theatre. Irene is thrilled to assist in bridging creative artists’ efforts to the World Water Film Festival’s upcoming projects!
Board of Directors
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Aurélie Rodzynek
A pragmatic strategist and natural connector working at the nexus of science, policy, and communities. From UN podiums to hands-on reef conservation, she drives water solutions grounded in circularity, equity, and environmental justice. With a career spanning global NGOs, governance platforms, and scientific networks, Aurélie has been a force in breaking silos, elevating Indigenous leadership, and advancing water advocacy.
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Gregg Siegel
Dynamic sales and marketing professional with strong leadership, managerial, integration and strategic planning experience in Media. Strong creatively, bringing new solutions to grow a traditional business. Builds positive relationships with demonstrated ability to make thoughtful decisions in tough situations.
As a painter and artist, Gregg is a keen observer, seeing things others don’t, and often puts things together in ways that may otherwise be missed.
Contact us
Interested in working together? We can’t wait to hear from you!