M-LEEAD Logo

Panelists

Noah Attal

Noah Attal (University of Michigan Water Center)

Noah Attal is a dual Master's candidate in Public Policy and Information Science at the University of Michigan, with expertise in statistics, data science, and interdisciplinary research. As the founder of Factotum Consulting L.L.C., he specializes in providing quantitative public policy analysis and has worked on high-impact projects like the Detroit Census Lawsuit and Flint’s lead line replacement order. Noah currently works as a Graduate Analyst with the Government Accountability Office.

Mary Grant

Mary Grant (Food and Water Watch)

Mary Grant is the Public Water for All Campaign Director at Food & Water Watch, a national environmental organization. She has nearly two decades of experience in U.S. water utility policy and research. Since 2015, she has overseen Food & Water Watch’s campaigns to support universal access to safe water in the United States by promoting responsible and affordable public provision of water and sewer service. Prior to becoming campaign director, Mary was a senior researcher on water issues for Food & Water Watch for seven years.

Learn more about Food and Water Watch
Monica Lewis-Patrick

Monica Lewis-Patrick (We The People of Detroit)

Monica Lewis-Patrick (aka The Water Warrior) is an educator, entrepreneur, and human rights activist/advocate. She has served as Director of Community Outreach & Engagement since 2009. She was unanimously elected by the Board to become the President & CEO.

Learn more about Monica Lewis-Patrick
Elizabeth Mack, PhD, MA

Elizabeth Mack, PhD, MA (Michigan State University)

Elizabeth Mack is a Professor in the Department of Geography, the Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University where she teaches courses in economic geography. Dr. Mack’s research utilizes mixed methods to understand the evolution of the economy in the face of rapid technological change and climate change. Research on technological change evaluates the impact of information and communications technologies (ICTs) on the development trajectory of regional economies and everyday work. Her work on the environment and climate change evaluates household responses to changing environmental contexts, as well as uses and the ability to pay for water services. Dr. Mack’s research has been funded by a variety of agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship Research.

Learn more about Elizabeth Mack, PhD, MA
Jim Perkinson

Jim Perkinson (Ecumenical Theological Seminary)

Dr. James W. Perkinson is a Professor of Social Ethics at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and lecturer in Intercultural Communication Studies at the University of Oakland in Rochester, Michigan. An activist in the struggle against water shutoffs, his most recent book is “Political Spirituality for a Century of Water Wars: The Angel of the Jordan Meets the Trickster of Detroit” (2019).

Tony Spaniola

Tony Spaniola (Great Lakes PFAS Action Network)

Tony Spaniola is a leading national advocate for PFAS-impacted families and communities. Tony learned in 2016 that his cottage in Oscoda is impacted by PFAS contamination from the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, the first PFAS site in Michigan and the first U.S. military PFAS site in the world. In response, Tony has worked to catalyze action on the local, state, and federal levels to address these harmful “forever chemicals.” Among his projects, Tony co-founded the Need Our Water (NOW) community action group in Oscoda; he co-founded and co-chairs the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network; and he serves on the Leadership Team of the National PFAS Contamination Coalition.

Learn more about Tony Spaniola

Who should attend?

Environmental health practice community, community organizers, and allies; we need all expertise and perspectives to address the workshop goals.

Goals

This workshop will identify opportunities to raise awareness of water accessibility as a public health issue, and to invite strategic conversations about building alliances across constituencies for addressing the issue.

Resources

Michigan Statewide Water Affordability Assessment
Authored by Jennifer Read, Noah Attal, Elin Betanzo, Ritchie Harrison, Ashley Stoltenberg
Website • Factsheet (PDF) • Report (PDF) • 2024 Update (PDF)

Location

Ypsilanti District Library
5577 Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA
Map • Website

Download the flyer

Flyer for 'Building Solidarity for Clean and Affordable Water in Michigan' event