Leah Werner has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Water Revolution Foundation, effective 1 January 2026. She succeeds Robert van Tol, who has served as Executive Director since the Foundation’s inception and will now assume the role of Executive Director of Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss).
Trained as a biological oceanographer, Leah joins the Foundation with more than 13 years of leadership experience at the intersection of environmental science, policy and implementation. Her career has focused on translating scientific concepts for non-technical audiences, decision-makers and industry stakeholders. She has held both government- and industry-facing roles, characterised by collaboration and effective execution. Leah brings a strong track record in building cross-sector partnerships and helping industry align around practical, sustainable solutions, closely aligned with the Foundation’s mission to drive environmental progress in the yachting sector. In this new chapter, her extensive background will be instrumental in identifying opportunities to scale the Foundation’s programmes and further expand their impact and reach.
In her previous role, Leah led strategy and stakeholder engagement for major remediation and water infrastructure programmes across the United States and internationally. She represented federal environmental authorities in high-profile negotiations and public forums, helping to build trust between governments, industry and communities. Her leadership in advancing climate resilience, ecosystem restoration and long-term stewardship across complex maritime and water-linked environments closely aligns with the Water Revolution Foundation’s mission.
“My focus will be on building strong partnerships and aligning the industry around the adoption and implementation of everything the Foundation has developed over the past seven years. We are entering a critical new phase of embedding actionable standards and tools to truly move forward as a collective. Together, we can drive measurable progress that supports both the industry’s future and the health of our ocean,” said Leah Werner.
The Board of Directors of the Water Revolution Foundation extended its deepest gratitude to Robert van Tol for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to building the Foundation into the driving force for environmental progress it is today. From shaping its mission and programmes to cultivating a trusted global network, van Tol has been instrumental in establishing the Foundation as a catalyst for science-based change within the superyacht community.
As he transitions into his new role as Executive Director of SYBAss, the Foundation expressed its appreciation for his lasting contributions and his continued presence within the wider industry.
