We are proud to announce the appointment of Leah Werner as the new Executive Director of Water Revolution Foundation, effective 1 January 2026.
Leah succeeds Robert van Tol, who has served as Executive Director since the Foundation’s inception and will now assume the position of Executive Director of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss).
Trained as a biological oceanographer, Leah joins us with 13+ years of leadership experience at the intersection of environmental science, policy, and implementation, with a career centred on translating scientific concepts for non-technical audiences, decision-makers, and industry stakeholders. Her work has spanned government and industry-facing roles, marked by collaboration and effective execution. She brings a strong track record of building cross-sector collaboration and helping industry coalesce around practical, sustainable solutions, directly aligned with our mission to drive environmental progress in the yachting sector. In this new chapter, the Ocean Assist programme remains a core pillar of our work; Leah’s extensive background will be instrumental in identifying new opportunities to scale the initiative, ensuring it continues to grow in impact and reach.
In her previous role, Leah led strategy and stakeholder engagement for major remediation and water infrastructure programmes across the U.S. and internationally. She represented federal environmental authorities in high-profile negotiations and public forums, helping to build trust among governments, industry, and communities. Her leadership in advancing climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and long-term stewardship across complex maritime and water-linked environments aligns closely with Water Revolution Foundation’s mission to drive environmental progress in the yachting sector.
“My focus will be on building strong partnerships, aligning industry for adoption and implementation of everything the foundation has brought forward over the last 7 years. We enter a critical new phase embedding actionable standards and tools to truly move forward as a collective. Together, we can drive measurable progress that supports both the industry’s future and the health of our ocean.” – Leah Werner
Honouring a Founding Leader
We extend our deepest gratitude to Robert van Tol for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to building Water Revolution Foundation into the driving force for environmental progress it is today. From shaping its mission and programmes to cultivating a trusted global network, Robert has been instrumental in establishing the Foundation as a catalyst for science-based change within the superyacht community.
As he transitions to his new role as Executive Director of SYBAss, we are grateful for his enduring contributions and continued presence within the wider industry.
“I would like to thank the partners for their support and trust over the last 7 years. The Foundation and its programmes are here to stay. I would like to welcome Leah to the Foundation, I am excited to see her take the Foundation to the next level and bring her expertise into this industry.” – Robert van Tol
Leadership Continuity
With Leah’s appointment, Water Revolution Foundation continues its commitment to strong governance, strategic leadership, and long-term impact. Her experience, vision, and deep understanding of environmental systems will be essential as we move forward with our three-year plan and further strengthen the Foundation’s role as a catalyst for environmental transformation within the yachting sector.
We are delighted to welcome Leah to the Foundation and look forward to the innovation, collaboration, and renewed momentum she will bring.
Welcome to the Revolution!