Out of the Blue’s founder, Sivan Schlecter, brings a real-world perspective on city government, intergovernmental relations, public private partnerships (PPPs), STEM careers, water quality, water security, and utility O&M through her service with NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), America’s largest urban water and resource recovery utility serving nearly 9 million people. She also delivered marketing projects including digital content across DEP’s platforms and worked in the field to reach millions of New Yorkers.

Stationed at NYC’s Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Plant, Sivan devoted herself to serving people and water by inspiring the next generation to consider essential STEM jobs as nearly one-third of NYC’s workforce planned for retirement. Passionate about wastewater treatment, she helped New Yorkers take responsibility for their water use and see their own GHG emissions in real-time, while bringing into focus a renewable biogas resource recovery pilot with world-changing promise.

Work included a range of marketing projects that promoted NYC’s sustainability initiatives through water and wastewater treatment. She also delivered nearly 100 educational programs, including behind-the-fenceline tours and visits atop NYC’s iconic digester eggs. She also conceived DEP’s first annual Earth Day Digester Egg Tour, still running today.