Kevin Hardy, Executive Director
Kevin Hardy joined NWRI in 2017 as Executive Director. He works with policymakers and stakeholder groups to continue developing regulations for recycled drinking water and water treatment facilities. NWRI's well-established expert panel program helps guide technological innovation and policies that shape the future of recycled water use nationwide.
Hardy was with Encina Wastewater Authority, a public agency that provides recycled water and wastewater treatment services in San Diego County, for 21 years and was General Manager for the last seven years of his tenure. He is past president of both the California Association of Sanitation Agencies and the California Sanitation Risk Management Authority.
Hardy holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University, and a JD from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is the third Executive Director of NWRI since it was established in 1991, following Jeffrey Mosher (2005-2016) and Ronald Linsky (1991-2005).
Julie Abshire, Project Controller
Julie Abshire joined NWRI in June 2013. She brings her 20-year experience and a BS in Business to make sure that our spreadsheets tally and our accounts reconcile. Outside of work at NWRI, she enjoys travel, animals, reading and gardening.
Ana Alcaraz, Advisory Program Lead
Ana Alcaraz joined NWRI in March 2026. As an Advisory Program Lead and Research Project Coordinator, she is the primary point of contact for Independent Advisory Panel meeting planning, support, and logistics. She supports NWRI by coordinating records, meetings, communications, and Board activities.
Ana has an MPH from UC Irvine and a BS in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology from UC Berkeley. She has a passion for public health and interests in nutrition, food security, chronic disease prevention, and water quality research.
Mary Collins, Communication Manager
Mary Collins joined NWRI in September 2018. She works with NWRI Independent Advisory Panels to edit and prepare technical reports, as well as other NWRI communications.
Her work experience includes technical editing and project management in the software industry and five years at an engineering firm editing environmental and geotechnical reports.
She has a BA in Communication from Boise State University and certification in technical writing and editing from the University of Washington in Seattle.
Lisa Staugaard, Research Program Lead
Lisa Staugaard joined NWRI in October 2025 as a Research Program Lead supporting programs such as the CalVal Initiative. She coordinates workshops with engineers, utilities, and regulators and manages technical document production.
Lisa was Senior Chemist at Neff Materials Consulting investigating degradation and failure of engineered materials. Her experience spans more than a decade across industrial, environmental, and water sector contexts.
Lisa holds an MS in Environmental Engineering from USC, and a BS in Chemistry from UC, Santa Cruz. In her spare time she restores furniture and makes ceramics.