Local voices, lasting impact: Honoring Hispanic heritage in water innovation

Paula Cheppi

LATAM Marketing Lead, WSS
Buenos Aires, Argentina

What is a major water challenge in your region, and how does your local perspective help you and your team address it?

In Argentina, water challenges are varied, shaped by both rapid industrial growth and the need for sustainable resource management. In the Vaca Muerta region, for example, large-scale industrial growth requires substantial volumes of water, putting pressure on local supplies. Working closely with our customers, Xylem introduced a Water as a Service (WaaS) model – a subscription-based or pay-per-use approach that helps municipalities and industries address scarcity, sustainability and regulatory needs more affordably and effectively.

Now, we’re entering a new phase that resonates deeply with me: increasing the adoption of advanced water treatment and reuse through Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), a proven technology for treating industrial and municipal wastewater streams. Currently, production water in Vaca Muerta is disposed of in wells instead of being recycled. Treating and reusing this water with DAF would drastically reduce environmental impact – a goal that fills me with pride.

What does it mean to you to feel celebrated at work, and how have you experienced inclusion at Xylem?

To feel celebrated at work is to feel seen and heard – and I’ve been fortunate to experience this at Xylem. I began my journey 13 years ago at the reception desk at our office in Buenos Aires. Over time, I was offered opportunities to grow: first in sales administration, then marketing for Argentina, and eventually for the Latin American region. Each step was made possible because someone recognized my potential and gave me a chance.

Today, I’m part of a global, multicultural team where inclusion is not just a concept – it’s felt in every shared activity, every “thank you,” and every moment of support.

It’s knowing that your ideas will be heard and that your well-being matters. That’s what makes Xylem a place where people truly feel celebrated.

How does Xylem's Aquaton help spread awareness of sustainable water practices in your region?

Aquaton, part of Xylem’s corporate responsibility program Watermark, is an annual fundraising drive. The program works like a virtual global marathon. For every kilometer that a participant runs, bikes or walks, Xylem donates $1 to humanitarian water projects around the globe. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of partnering with local water projects that benefit from the funds we raise.

It’s incredibly inspiring to see how our volunteer work is helping people and communities get the safe water they need.

With Aquaton, we’re also helping spread awareness of water challenges. By making the program open to anyone who cares about exercise and movement, we’re encouraging more people to join our movement – to help make the world more water-secure.

Rafael Diaz

Sr. Director, Regional Operations Applied Water
Chihuahua, Mexico

 What is a major water challenge in your region, and how does your local perspective help you and your team address it?

In Northern Mexico, and particularly in Chihuahua, water scarcity and uneven distribution are major challenges. Frequent droughts put pressure on our local communities and industrial, agricultural and cattle farming industries. As a resident, I bring a personal awareness of how vital it is to maximize every drop and to design systems that are both efficient and resilient. That perspective shapes the way my team and I work – designing systems that are aligned with local needs while keeping a global outlook.

One example is our partnership with Junta Municipal de Agua y Saneamiento de Juárez (JMAS Juárez), a public utility in Chihuahua that provides fresh water and drainage systems for more than 2.5 million people across three main cities. To reduce lost water from pipeline leaks, JMAS leveraged Xylem’s leak detection services. In just six weeks, JMAS located 140 leaks, saving 148,000 liters per day. It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to deliver real results like this to our customers and the communities they serve.

How has your Hispanic heritage influenced the way you collaborate, lead or solve problems?

My Hispanic heritage and experience being raised in a semi-desert region have taught me the value of community, resilience and adaptability.

In our culture, collaboration is rooted in strong relationships and trust, which translates into how I lead – always seeking to connect people, listen actively and find solutions together.

It also shapes the way I approach challenges: with creativity, perseverance and the belief that we can overcome obstacles by supporting each other as a team.

How have you experienced inclusion at Xylem?

Inclusion at work means being seen not only for what I do but also for who I am. It’s about having the freedom to bring my authentic self – my culture, my values, my experiences – to a broader audience. At Xylem, there is an openness to different ideas and perspectives and a recognition that different cultural backgrounds enrich how we solve global water challenges. This makes me feel proud and motivated to work here and contribute my voice to our shared mission.

Sonia Balbas

Director, Sr. Human Resources Business Partner, Global Information Technology  
Madrid, Spain

What is a major water challenge in your region, and how is Xylem addressing it?

Spain faces intensifying water challenges – from persistent droughts and scarcity to increasingly severe storms and summer fires. These extremes make resilience more urgent than ever. At Xylem, our teams are on the ground, supporting customers when it matters most, helping them protect people and resources.

A powerful example came last year in Valencia, when historic storms brought more than 600mm of rain in just 8 hours. Global Omnium activated a full-scale emergency response using Xylem Vue's digital tools and real-time data. With a digital twin of the city’s drinking water network, operators could detect leaks, prevent blockages and make sensor-based decisions in real time. These insights helped Global Omnium accelerate its disaster response and protect local communities.

How has your Latin/Hispanic heritage helped shape your leadership journey?

Growing up in Spain – a land rich in blended cultures and traditions – I learned to respect different values and points of view. My approach to leadership has also been shaped by the lessons my parents taught me: discipline, resilience and courage.

My family also taught me the importance of finding humor in every situation, which helps me encourage my team even in challenging moments.

I bring this mindset to my teams at Xylem to foster trust, open communication and a shared commitment to excellence. When problems arise, we face them head-on, together, with persistence and a clear sense of purpose. It’s about combining heart and rigor – embracing collaboration and holding ourselves to the highest standards, while also being human.

How does Xylem foster a culture of recognition and inclusion?

Xylem celebrates colleagues for the results we deliver, as well as our efforts to help our teammates succeed and achieve their potential. This constant focus on teamwork makes a big difference for our company and for everyone who works at Xylem.

One of the things I like most about Xylem is that I can work on an international stage while being based in a small town in the deep Castile, giving me plenty of opportunities to grow professionally while balancing my personal needs.

It’s this culture of recognition, inclusion, growth, and shared purpose that motivates me to bring my best every day, knowing we’re truly making an impact together.