Milwaukee, WI, JUNE 2, 2025 — The Water Council (TWC), a global leader in water stewardship and technology innovation, has named Karen Frost as its new executive director.
Frost, who has served as the organization’s vice president of economic development and innovation, was selected after an exhaustive, nationwide search. She begins her new role on June 2, after approval by the organization’s board of directors.
“For more than 10 years, Karen has helped grow this organization into a global leader in driving water technology innovation and economic development in the region,” said Scott Beightol, TWC board chair. “We have tremendous confidence she will lead The Water Council to even greater heights by spearheading important connections between our region’s water technology companies and TWC’s global network as well as advancing crucial corporate water stewardship practices.”
Prior to joining The Water Council in 2015, Frost spent five years with the Racine County Economic Development Corporation.
Frost’s elevation to executive director follows the retirement of The Water Council’s President and CEO Dean Amhaus, who led the organization for more than 15 years. It also comes shortly after it was announced that TWC has joined the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) as an affiliate organization.
“In working closely with Karen, I know she has the talent, vision and drive to lead the organization during this pivotal transition,” said Amhaus. “Southeastern Wisconsin is looked at as a global leader in the water technology sector, and Karen is poised to sustain that reputation and grow it even further.”
“I’m honored to lead The Water Council and continue our strong legacy of innovation and stewardship,” Frost said. “I’m grateful for Dean’s vision and leadership over the last 15 years and excited for the potential for future growth as we work to solve global water challenges.”
About The Water Council
The Water Council (TWC) is a global hub dedicated to solving critical water challenges by driving innovation in freshwater technology and advancing water stewardship. Built on more than a century of innovation, TWC has coalesced one of the most concentrated and mature water technology clusters in the world from its headquarters at the Global Water Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Recognizing the need for smarter and more sustainable use of water worldwide, TWC also promotes water stewardship as a natural complement to water innovation in the effort to preserve freshwater resources in the Midwest and around the world. Today, The Water Council has established itself as a global leader in the water industry and one of America’s premier economic development clusters as recognized by government agencies, Brookings and the Harvard Business School.
