The WAVE program engages students and emerging professionals from diverse backgrounds with the water industry through a series of workshops and attendance at the 2025 PNCWA conference. The workshops focus on the various paths within the water industry, networking, skills development, employment opportunities, and conference preparation.
This month, we're highlighting our leadership team, Juliana Andrade, Maxwell LaCosse, and Ana Haines!
Julianna Andrade (WAVE Chair)
Juliana is an Environmental Engineer at Brown and Caldwell. She was part of the 2023 WAVE cohort. She has been on the WAVE leadership committee for two years and is now serving as WAVE Chair.
How did WAVE impact you?
The WAVE program has been an immensely impactful part of my early career. I joined the WAVE cohort as I was completing university in 2023, served on the leadership team in 2024 and am now wrapping up my term as WAVE Chair this year. The program has helped me gain an immense amount of confidence in my abilities as an engineer and a leader, while also giving me the opportunity to build an amazing network of water professionals and friends that inspire me every day. I am eternally grateful for the experience to be part of the WAVE program and the ways in which the program provided me immense support, exposure, confidence, and community that have set me up for a successful and fulfilling career in the water industry.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I like to cook/bake, craft, and spend time outdoors (especially with my pup!)
Max LaCosse (Co-Vice Chair)
Max is an Associate Civil Engineering Specialist in the Development Services Office at Seattle Public Utilities. He was a part of the 2024 WAVE cohort and is a part of the WAVE leadership committee this year.
How did WAVE impact you?
WAVE has helped me in so many ways as an emerging professional. I've been able to build a network of lovely professionals in the water industry while building a community of fellow young professionals. I've been able to gain incredible insight and advice from the PNCWA mentorship program. Helping shape the present and future of this program as a member of the leadership team has been incredibly meaningful and rewarding.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to read, spend time outside birding, and play board games!
Ana Haines (Co-Vice Chair)
Ana is an environmental engineer EIT with Hazen and Sawyer. She was a part of the 2024 WAVE cohort and is a part of the WAVE leadership committee this year.
How did WAVE impact you?
WAVE was my first opportunity to get involved with PNCWA. I struggled to find a professional community after moving to Seattle from Virginia, so having the WAVE program, which is aimed at networking and career growth, was fantastic. WAVE helped guide me through one of my earliest conferences and allowed me to get to know some amazing people. I stayed on the WAVE leadership team because I wanted to give back to this community and further be involved with PNCWA. I'm sure next year, as co-chair, WAVE will continue to help me as I grow my leadership skills. I'm so excited to see what the future of WAVE will look like.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy going to the gym, reading, playing games, and hanging out with my cat at home.
