The River Network’s Emerging Leader Award highlights rising stars at the crossroads of water and justice. Designed to boost early career professionals, the award offers recognition, confidence, and networking opportunities. At River Rally 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, four awardees shared their impactful work, the reasons for their recognition, and their successful water initiatives. This episode delves into the stories of Charles Miller, Megan Nguyen, Kevin Jeffery, and Hira Ahmad, exploring how they are making significant strides in the water sector and championing justice through innovative solutions and community engagement.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for sustainability and equity in water.