Karen Pappas, P.E.
Drinking Water Lead & Water Senior Program Manager
As a program manager, Karen often draws from her technical experience in water quality, treatment, supply and distribution which covers all phases of project implementation — from planning through construction, permitting and commissioning — using both traditional and collaborative delivery methods.
As the drinking water lead in Northern California, Karen currently serves as program manager for a $750 million comprehensive “source to tap” water capital program for the Santa Cruz Water Department in Northern California, increasing the reliability and resiliency of the city’s backbone water infrastructure, while also developing new water supplies to secure the city’s water future.
She regularly presents on program management tools and practices at state and national industry associations, such as the American Water Works Association. She understands the ongoing need to do more with less within the industry, which compels utilities to become more efficient and accountable and to make value-driven decisions. Karen is passionate about engaging with utility owners who may be considering integrated and programmatic strategies to drive efficiencies, control risks, and inform decision making.
She co-chairs our water program management practice group, where she finds joy in collaborating and sharing knowledge across program management teams.
