Cheryl Porter
Chief Operating Officer - Water and Field Services
Great Lakes Water Authority
Cheryl Porter is Chief Operating Officer – Water and Field Services for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) where she oversees five water treatment plants and water transmission to the Authority’s customer communities across southeast Michigan, ensuring GLWA’s water consistently meets and surpasses all quality standards and regulations.
Ms. Porter promotes and strives for operational excellence with a drive to mentor upcoming professionals in today’s ever-changing water sector.
As president of the American Water Works Association (2024-2025), she was the first African American and the first woman of color to be elected to this role in the organization’s nearly 150-year history.
Ms. Porter holds a BS degree from the University of Michigan, an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Madonna University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She maintains State of Michigan operator certifications for both Water Distribution and Complete Treatment.
