Good governance: Strengthening oversight through collaboration
12:05 - 1:05 p.m. (EDT) Presented by: Olga Darlington, CPA, Principal
Explore the essential practices of highly effective boards. Participants will learn to describe the habits that contribute to board success, identify strategies to enhance governing board policies, define the role of audit committees, and understand the key elements that foster a strong board-management partnership. The session aims to equip utility leaders with the knowledge and tools to strengthen governance and collaboration within their organizations.
The retention equation: Compensation, growth and culture
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. (EDT) Presented by: Caitlin Humrickhouse, M.P.A., SWP, Principal, and Jada Kent, CCP, Managing Director
While compensation is often a primary driver in attracting new employees, it’s often not the most significant driver in retaining employees. This session will present retention and turnover data and strategies for retaining employees. You'll learn tactics related to compensation, career growth, mentoring and development, and how to prepare for turnover, reducing the negative impacts on your organization.
AI in action: A practical introduction for utilities
2:25 - 3:25 p.m. (EDT) Presented by: Jordan Anderson, Director, and Jessica Carius, Consulting Manager
Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the future of public sector utilities. In this session, we’ll move beyond the buzzwords to explain AI’s core concepts in clear, practical terms. You’ll see how organizations are using co-intelligence—the collaboration between people and AI—and generative AI to streamline operations, surface critical insights and adapt more effectively to change. By enhancing decision-making, improving service delivery, and boosting operational efficiency, AI enables utilities to work smarter, faster, and with greater impact. You’ll leave with a stronger grasp of the fundamentals, real-world examples of AI in action, and the confidence to take the first steps on your own AI journey.
Note: Three hours of CPE credit are available per day. See details below.
Funding the future: Utility project finance and market updates
12:05 - 1:05 p.m. (EDT) Presented by: Doug Baldessari, Principal
Explore current trends in municipal finance, including updates on the bond markets, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credit incentives, state revolving fund (SRF) programs, and the utility sector’s evolving approach to financing. Funding through the IRA and SRF have seen significant changes in their implementation and funding priorities under the new administration and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These changes have reshaped the landscape of infrastructure and energy policy in the U.S., impacting funding for both immediate projects and long-term sustainability goals. Although changes have occurred, utilities still have opportunities to access incentives and low-interest funding to support project financing. As these funding mechanisms evolve, utility management must adopt innovative strategies for rate setting and affordability.
Building resilience: Key risk considerations for utility leaders
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. (EDT) Presented by: Lucie Wuescher, Principal, and Christian Hansen, CISA, CISSP, Principal
Key risk considerations for utility leaders will provide utility management with a focused overview of the most pressing risks facing municipal utilities in 2025/2026, such as regulatory changes, cybersecurity threats, climate impacts and supply chain vulnerabilities. The session will explain why these risks matter and offer practical strategies for identifying, prioritizing and mitigating them through effective policies, operational planning and resource allocation. It will also highlight the vital role of internal audit in enhancing resilience—by proactively identifying emerging risks, evaluating risk management processes, and providing assurance on crisis preparedness and continuous improvement—helping leaders make informed decisions to safeguard their organizations against future.
Decoding tomorrow: What future GASB standards mean for you
2:25 - 3:25 p.m. (EDT) Presented by: Jodi Dobson, CPA, Principal, and Ryan O’Donnell, Director
Recently issued Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements will have significant impacts on the financial reporting for governmental utilities. We will outline the requirements, highlight the changes and discuss steps to assist you in preparing for seamless, on-time implementation of these standards:
- GASB statement no. 102, certain risk disclosures
- GASB statement no. 103, financial reporting model improvements
- GASB statement no. 104, disclosure of certain capital assets
Note: Three hours of CPE credit are available per day. See details below.
More information about Utility University 2025
Who should attend
Leadership and professionals from municipal utilities, public utility districts, tribal utility authorities, and state, local and tribal government employees
Learning objectives
- Describe governance structure in the utility and habits of highly effective boards
- Recognize how to use tools such as compensation, career development and mentoring to retain high-functioning employees
- Identify practical uses for co-intelligence and generative AI in your utility
- Name the current available incentives available through IRA, SRF and other programs modified by the OBBBA
- Recognize key risks facing municipal utilities, including regulatory, cyber, climate and supply chain challenges
- Explain the reporting requirements of GASB Statements 102, 103 and 104
Information about CPE eligibility
There are no prerequisites for this webinar, and advance preparation is not required. There is no cost to attend this webinar. A certificate of completion will be emailed to you four to six weeks after the event.
Level: Basic
CPE credit: Six (6) hour total credit
Field of study: Specialized Knowledge
For more information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refund policies, please email learning@bakertilly.com.
Baker Tilly is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: nasbaregistry.org.