Meet Erin Bonney Casey, Our New Executive Director

Erin Bonney Casey has been named as our next Executive Director, beginning on June 17th. She succeeds Wayne Castonguay who led IRWA for almost 13 years. 

According to IRWA President Ken MacNulty, the Board of Directors engaged in a rigorous search and had a number of excellent, highly qualified candidates. Erin, who is currently serving as IRWA’s Resiliency Program Director, had the necessary knowledge of the issues facing the Ipswich River and the region as well as existing relationships with partners and other stakeholders, Ken said, “Since joining IRWA in March of 2022, Erin has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to IRWA’s mission. We look forward to the leadership, dedication, and fresh perspectives she will bring to IRWA.”

A native New Englander, Erin is a recognized water management professional. Prior to IRWA, she became recognized as a water industry expert during her time as a Research Director at Bluefield Research in Boston from 2013 – 2022. During this time, Erin managed a portfolio of 15 corporate and public utility clients and was the lead author of over 100 market research reports on the water and wastewater sectors globally, with particular focus on innovative project delivery in the U.S. Erin joined IRWA in 2022 to focus on implementing river resiliency plans and actions. Erin holds a BA from Bates College and Masters of Science in Water Science, Policy, and Management from Oxford University, and moved with her family to Salem in 2021. 

In her role as IRWA’s Resiliency Program Director, Erin has already been intimately involved in our most important recent projects, programs, and collaborations that Wayne initiated during his tenure. These include the amendments to the Massachusetts Water Management Act Drought Regulation, review and revision of zoning, stormwater, and water use bylaws for 30 North Shore communities, key legal actions, development of our environmental education program, the North Shore Water Resiliency Task Force, and the Ipswich Mills Dam Campaign. Erin assumed a leadership role in many of these projects, relationships, and initiatives in February of this year following Wayne’s departure, ensuring a smooth leadership transition ahead. “I am so excited for Erin and the river. Erin has been an outstanding asset for the river from the first day she joined the team at IRWA. Her expertise, steady hand, and passion for the work has been unparalleled and I’m proud to learn that she will take over as our next Director,” Wayne said. “I can’t wait to see all the great things Erin will do for our river!” 

“I joined IRWA two years ago because of a personal commitment to its mission and an enthusiasm for doing this work in my own community”, Erin said. “Witnessing and working on IRWA’s growth, even in the last two years, has been nothing short of inspiring. I’m extremely proud to be named IRWA’s next Executive Director and to support our amazing staff, board, and volunteers in accelerating the pace and efficacy of our work to meet the challenges facing our river head on.”

Please join us in congratulating Erin as she transitions into her new role here at IRWA!