Living Water Award 2025 Nominee

Michele Martise

Strategic Communications Manager, Central States Water Resources

Michele, a Strategic Communications Manager at Central States Water Resources, is nominated for her critical role as the designated “Storm Czar” during severe weather events. She leads the company’s 7-stage response plan, orchestrating communication and coordination between various departments to ensure service continuity and public health. She is praised for her dedication, leadership and calm under pressure, especially during emergencies in hurricane-prone regions like Louisiana, Florida and Texas. Her work includes managing all external communications during events, serving as the point of contact for public service commissions, local governments and the media, and remaining on call evenings and weekends to ensure responsiveness. She also contributes to community environmental education efforts, such as leading initiatives at the St. Louis Earth Day festival. She is described as an “indispensable leader” whose “dedication, leadership and calm under pressure make her a vital asset to the company and the communities we serve.”