Monday, April 27, 2026 | 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.

Courtney Kelly, MBA, P.E.

Courtney Kelly Books, Author | H.J. Russell & Company, Project Director

Flip The Script: Change The Narrative

"How we talk about who we are as civil engineers and the work that we do has the power to shape the future of our profession in a way that transcends the built environment. Our "script" may have been written for us in the past, but now I'm asking that we flip the script and change the narrative towards one that will drive and direct the perception of civil engineering to match the significance, importance, and respect that should come with the territory that we practice in. Communication plays a big role in this. From how we engage with younger audiences to how we break down technical jargon so that it can be understood in layman's terms, innovation in our approach to how we speak can make all the difference. "

Born and raised in New Orleans, award-winning civil engineer, Courtney Kelly, has made a name for herself both as a well-respected construction management professional and self-published children’s book author. Courtney currently resides in Dallas, Texas where she serves as a Project Director for H.J. Russell & Company, a commercial construction firm.

Courtney holds Bachelor of Science degrees in civil engineering and math, as well as a master’s degree in civil engineering from Southern Methodist University (SMU). She also holds an MBA from Lamar University. In 2023 she was selected as an Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana Top Young Professional. Her self-published children's books, Celeste Saves the City and Celeste Tunnels Underground, have been translated into three languages and sold in over 15 countries. Most recently, she has become an adjunct professor at SMU teaching construction quality management and safety courses.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.

William Strickland

Mobile Baykeeper, Executive Director 

The Story Of The Oyster: Restoring What We Have Lost In Alabama

A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, William began his career in the field of environmental engineering before moving into the faith-based non-profit sector.

William graduated from the University of Alabama where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering with a focus on water issues. He played football under Nick Saban at Alabama, winning two national championships during his time there. He also received a Master of the Arts in Missional Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary.

William’s love for nature and an understanding of humans’ place in it were instilled in him from an early age by his late grandfather, Bill, a conservationist and outdoorsman. He hopes to pass that love on to his three young children. He brings to the organization a passion for process and excellence gained during his time under Saban at Alabama.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.

Norma Jean Mattei, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE

University of New Orleans | Emeritus Professor

Expert vs. Influencer: Are We Both? Should We Be?

"In an era defined by rapid information exchange, fragmented attention spans, and unprecedented public scrutiny of science, the environmental and water resources community finds itself at a crossroads. Engineers and scientists have long been trusted as experts—guardians of technical rigor, stewards of the public interest, and voices of evidence based decision making. Yet today, expertise alone is no longer guaranteed a platform. Influence—once viewed as the realm of marketers, celebrities, and digital personalities—now shapes public opinion, policy debates, community trust, and even funding decisions in the water and environmental sectors.

So what happens when expertise and influence converge? What happens when they collide?

In this keynote, Dr. Norma Jean Mattei will explore how water and environmental professionals can—and must—navigate the evolving landscape of public communication, digital engagement, and community leadership. She will challenge attendees to reconsider long held assumptions about what it means to be a “technical professional” in today’s world, and whether embracing the role of influencer—ethically and intentionally—may in fact be essential for the future resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure.

As climate risks intensify, extreme weather grows more frequent, and communities across the Gulf Coast and beyond grapple with flood mitigation, water quality, ecosystem health, and infrastructure modernization, the need for authoritative, trusted, and visible voices has never been greater. Our profession sits at the nexus of these challenges. But if we are not actively shaping the public dialogue, others will fill the vacuum.

This session will unpack key questions for the EWRI community:
How do we uphold the integrity of our profession while remaining accessible and compelling to non technical audiences?

• What ethical responsibilities accompany our influence—intentional or unintentional—in public, political, and online spaces?
• How can we leverage our expertise to strengthen public trust, improve community outcomes, and elevate the role of environmental and water resource science in national conversations?
• And ultimately: Can we be both experts and influencers? Should we be?

Through powerful examples, candid insights, and a forward looking call to action, Dr. Mattei will illuminate how every environmental and water professional can play a meaningful role in shaping public understanding and advancing the profession’s mission.

This keynote is designed not only to inform but to inspire. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how their voices matter, how their expertise can drive change, and how they can responsibly engage as thought leaders in a world that urgently needs them.

Join us in Mobile for a conversation that goes to the heart of our identity as engineers, scientists, and stewards of the environment—and to the future of how we serve our communities."

Norma Jean Mattei, PhD, PE, F.ASCE is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Orleans. President Biden recently appointed Mattei to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). She just completed ten years as one of two civilian civil engineer Commissioners on the Mississippi River Commission (MRC), nominated by President Obama. She was 2017 President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), chairing that organization’s Board of Direction that year. She currently serves as the Past President, Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI) and locally serves on the ASCE New Orleans’ Chapter of the Structural Engineering Institute, and several non-profit organizations such as the Water Institute of the Gulf and GNOSTEM. Norma Jean also has served in the past on several National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) committees and task forces, most recently serving as chair of the Board-level NCEES Education Committee and is an Emeritus Member of NCEES. She was named by the Governor of Louisiana to LAPELS, Louisiana’s licensing board for professional engineers, serving as Chairman of the LAPELS Board in 2011-12. She, her husband, two engineer daughters and engineer son-in-law all reside in New Orleans.