During the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 2026 Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) in Washington D.C., our very own Stephanie Estabrook, PE, received the association’s 2026 Outstanding Young Professional Award. This distinction honors early career AWWA members who demonstrate outstanding service at the regional section level and the association level through leadership and active participation in young professional programs.
As a project manager at Woodard & Curran, Stephanie is an integral part of our hydraulic modeling and master planning group, primarily focused on water infrastructure projects for our municipal clients in California. As a member of AWWA, she has served on the association’s Young Professionals (YP) Committee since 2020, in both the Vice Chair and Chair roles. In her volunteer capacity, she revitalized engagement through innovative programming, including the Water Circuit Challenge at the annual YP Summit, leadership forums for YPs and students, and hands-on workshops at ACE. She grew YP Summit participation and strengthened collaboration across association councils and divisions. She also previously served as the California-Nevada YP Committee Chair, successfully rebuilding momentum post-pandemic and establishing a sustainable succession model that continues strong today.
“Receiving this recognition feels especially meaningful as I wrap up my tenure as Chair of the AWWA Young Professionals Committee,” said Stephanie. “Over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside and build relationships with incredible people who are equally passionate about investing in the next generation of water professionals. The experience has challenged me, shaped me as a leader, and reinforced how important strong mentorship and community are within our industry, especially for YPs and students finding their footing. I’m incredibly grateful to Woodard & Curran for supporting my continued involvement in AWWA, and I’m excited to carry these lessons forward by continuing to mentor and support early-career staff at Woodard & Curran.”
“Stephanie’s contributions to AWWA and the water community go far beyond what is summarized here,” said Rob Little, Woodard & Curran Drinking Water Market Leader. “It has been truly rewarding to watch Stephanie grow and progress in her career—from an engaged young professional to a leader who actively shapes programs and inspires others to get involved. She brings energy, thoughtfulness, and a genuine commitment to advancing both the association and the next generation of water professionals. Stephanie is the kind of person who not only raises her hand to help, but also elevates the work and the people around her. This recognition is a well-deserved reflection of her impact to date and an exciting indicator of what lies ahead in her career and her contributions to the industry.”
