Pivoting with Purpose: Navigating Cross-Sector Impact in WaterDC EcoWomen x Women’s Aquatic Network

By Gabriela Nahm

On a rainy Tuesday night, DC EcoWomen and the Women’s Aquatic Network hosted an evening of candid conversations on navigating career pivots, focused on women leaders in the water sector. Attendees were joined by three incredible panelists:

Tosca Lichtenheld, Head of Federal & Defense @ Sofar Ocean

Rabia Chaudhry, PhD, PE, Director of Water Supply Resilience @ DC Water

Miriam Goldstein, Executive Director @ National Ocean Protection Coalition

Each panelist shared stories of unexpected turns, resilience, and the importance of values-driven decision-making. Tosca emphasized the power of curiosity and the importance of saying yes to opportunities—even if you don’t have a map charted out. But she also reminded us that knowing when to say no is just as critical. “Make the decision that makes the most sense for you at that time,” she said.

Rabia’s journey illustrated how external forces—like recessions, elections, and pandemics—can shape our paths in profound ways. Her pivot from engineering to policy was catalyzed by both personal reflection and professional relationships. Her advice? Be ready when the luck happens. Build your network before you need it, and stay open to change.

Miriam’s story reinforced the idea that not having a plan doesn’t mean not having direction. Her career has been guided by a commitment to ocean protection and a deep understanding of the soft skills that make teams work. “Any employer can teach you technical skills,” she said, “but learning how to bring people together or reach consensus applies to every job.”

Navigating Resistance from Within

Tosca spoke candidly about internal resistance—imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the challenge of stepping into new roles. She offered a helpful thought exercise to reframe these thoughts: Ask yourself what you bring to the table. What are your strengths? How can you shape your role to match those strengths? Then communicate that with your team.

This resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom are navigating transitions themselves. The message was clear: your value is not just in your resume, but in your ability to articulate your skills and advocate for your growth. You are not meant to fit into a mold!

To conclude the evening, our panelists shared advice to their younger selves:

Advice for the Journey

• Start with your values. Know your non-negotiables.

• There is a job out there for you—it just might not be what you expect.

• Be excellent. Excellence builds trust and opens doors.

• Network with your peers. Networking isn’t just for formal events; it’s about finding people who share your values.

• People want to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask.

• Always have an answer for: “What are you good at?” Know your skills, your strengths.

• Be kind.

• Take care of yourself. Careers are long. Keep going, especially during challenging times.

The evening closed with a sense of solidarity and encouragement. Whether you're pivoting, starting, or simply reflecting on your next step, remember: uncertainty is not a detour—it’s part of the path.

Thank you to the Reservoir Center for being gracious hosts, to the Women’s Aquatic Network for their wonderful collaboration, to our brilliant panelists and moderator for sharing their impactful insights, and to everyone who joined us for the event!