Penn Water Forum Speaker Spotlight Series 11/7/25
Join the Penn Alumni Water Forum for the next edition of our Speaker Spotlight series, featuring a timely discussion on water reuse and its role in shaping the future of water systems.
The session will feature Jon Freedman, Global Head of Policy and Stakeholder Affairs at Veralto and a proud Penn alumnus (Wharton MBA) and John Hanula, Senior Vice President at Stantec.
Jon Freedman is based in Washington, DC, where he leads Global Policy & Stakeholder Affairs for Veralto – Water Quality. Previously, he led Global Government Affairs & Policy for Veolia’s worldwide water treatment technology business, and he also led Global Government Affairs & Policy for GE Water and for GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy. In addition, he led the creation of GE’s global sustainability initiative (Ecomagination). He also created GE’s water strategy and helped implement it by leading the acquisition of a global NYSE-listed water company that was renamed GE Water.
Jon currently serves on the Board of Directors of the WateReuse Association, where he is an Officer and Chairs the National Policy Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Desalination & Reuse Association, where he is First Vice President. Previously, Jon sat on the boards of The Wharton School’s Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership (2012-2020), the US EPA’s Financial Advisory Board (2020-2022), and several other organizations. Jon has authored numerous articles and speaks frequently on water issues globally. He also just wrapped up his 12th and final year as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, where this spring semester he taught 75 Wharton MBA students in a course called The Business & Governance of Water.
Jon holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, a law degree from William & Mary Law School, and an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
John Hanula has been an executive in the Water Sector for over 35 years. He has led strategic initiatives including Big Cities Programs in the US and internationally focused on development in large urban areas critical to the water and infrastructure businesses.
He has spent over 22 years at MWH/Stantec and was Senior Vice President and Global Director for Business Development in the firm’s Water Business Line responsible for strategy and growth in the six geographic regions from 2014-2020. As part of this responsibility, he also has supported Government Affairs functions across the Municipal Service Group in the US. He also served as Global Account Manager for the Stantec relationship with GE/Suez WTS and multiple proprietary agencies inside the City of Los Angeles and California.
Beginning in 2020, Mr. Hanula has assumed a role in the corporate Office of Growth and Innovation working for the Chief Corporate Growth Officer and responsible for Global Strategic Pursuits that focuses on engaging Project Development and Sales channels for new, high impact, growth offerings across the enterprise [five business lines and six global geographies].
Prior to rejoining MWH in 2014, Mr. Hanula was a Senior Vice President with CH2MHILL, holding several leadership positions in their Water Business and Civil Infrastructure Groups during his 10-year tenure. These responsibilities included establishing a ‘Big Cities’ program across North America Water, developing strategies for Key Account managers, leading growth initiatives in California and Arizona, and serving as the Director of Business Development in North America Water from 2011-2014.
Educated as both an architect and civil engineer, he brings a broad understanding of the planning, design, and delivery requirements associated with complex infrastructure programs. During his nearly 40 years of professional experience, he has served as project architect, project engineer, and project manager for large assignments in both the US and abroad that have covered projects and programs in general building, water, transportation, and environmental management sectors. This experience has included the development and implementation for water/wastewater system infrastructure, transit, aviation facilities, hospitals, educational facilities, and commercial buildings.