Global Institute for Water Security Welcomes New Associate Director

The Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brooke Klassen as Associate Director.

Klassen is an Assistant Professor (AP) in the Department of Management and Marketing at the Edwards School of Business, where she brings extensive experience in marketing, strategy, and business planning. Known for her dynamic, hands-on approach to teaching and research, she specializes in case-based learning that explores the intersection of marketing and societal impact. Her recent research investigates decision making by female leaders in non-traditional sectors, including a teaching case following Karen Schuett, CEO of Livestock Water Recycling, a global leader in manure treatment technology.

A Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Klassen has completed over 100 projects across strategy, governance, communications, and operations. As an inaugural USask Sustainability Faculty Fellow, she played a key role in advancing sustainability initiatives and was honored with an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Recognition Award for integrating sustainability into her courses. She is also a facilitator with Edwards Executive Education, leading programs on change leadership and executive communication. In addition to her work in sustainability, she served on the USask Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force, contributing to discussions on the evolving role of AI in education and research. Her contributions have earned her additional recognition, including an RCE Saskatchewan Recognition Award and the prestigious Dr. Garth Pickard Award for Post-Secondary Excellence in Education for Sustainable Development.

"What excites me most is the opportunity to bridge disciplines—bringing strategic thinking and marketing insight into the vital work of water security," said Klassen. "Water is one of our most precious resources, yet in Canada, it’s often taken for granted. I’ve always been passionate about how we can better communicate the value of water—not just as a resource, but as a foundation for life, equity, and sustainability."

As Associate Director, Klassen will support the institute’s strategic growth and outreach, helping expand its influence across sectors. "My goal is to help GIWS not only lead in research, but also in how that research is shared, understood, and acted upon—by policymakers, communities, and industries. Ultimately, I aim to support GIWS in becoming even more influential in shaping global water governance and innovation."

Klassen’s appointment reflects GIWS’s commitment to interdisciplinary leadership that unites science, strategy, and societal relevance. "Brooke will provide critical leadership as we continue to build GIWS into a thriving and sustainable institute," said Corinne Schuster-Wallace, Executive Director of GIWS. "Her experience at the intersection of strategy, sustainability, and community engagement will be instrumental as we chart the institute’s future."

"I’m thrilled to congratulate Brooke Klassen on her appointment as Associate Director at the Global Institute for Water Security," said Dr. Marjorie Delbaere (PhD), acting dean of the Edwards School of Business. "This is a wonderful recognition of Brooke’s expertise and leadership. We’re proud to see a member of our faculty contributing to such important interdisciplinary work and look forward to the impact Brooke will make at GIWS and beyond."

Her appointment marks a step forward in GIWS’s commitment to integrating strategic leadership with world-class research—ensuring that water science continues to inform real-world decisions and drive meaningful change.