Meet IWN Program Manager: Moe Abouhasna
Moe is our first Pipeline Intelligence Program Manager. With an engineering background and a passion for powerlifting, Moe wants to see technology handle more of the pipeline management load in Victoria.
Moe Abouhasna
LET’S START WITH THE PERSONAL. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I’m from a small beachy suburb in Melbourne’s inner west. I have an adventurous nature, which has led me to try things like skydiving and learning French. I grew up in a family of nine children, so the best way for me to wind down has always been to travel! I also love keeping active and have recently started powerlifting, including winning a local competition for deadlifting 260kg and squatting 240kg. During COVID, I’ve had to use pots, pans and tree branches in my backyard to keep active, and I’ve been watching TV a bit more. I’ve got my eye on Ninja Warrior…
WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?
I’ve been in the water industry for six years, first at Yarra Valley Water (YVW) in several roles from customer service to coordinating large works. I’m currently at Western Water, one of Melbourne’s fastest growing regions, where I’m a land development project manager. I have a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and to be honest, the water industry was my least favourite while studying. It was only when I started working in a temporary position at YVW that I realised how amazing and rewarding the industry is. Ever since I’ve developed the “if you don’t try you will never know” attitude.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO EACH DAY (BUT TO YOUR GRANDMA)?
I would say: “Tayta, before people build new homes I make sure that water is always available and the toilet will flush so they can focus on the more important things in their lives like making tabouli and hummus.”
WHY DID YOU BECOME AN IWN PROGRAM MANAGER?
I joined the IWN team recently (July 2020) after I kept seeing the technology trials it was running. One of the reasons why I love my role at Western Water is the opportunity to add value to the community and future generations we serve in developing regions. With IWN, I will have the ability to do that on an industry level. I will also get the opportunity to work with other people from diverse backgrounds and other water corps who have the same motivation. A special mention here to my Pipeline Intelligence program co-leads Kristina Machena from South East Water and Patricia Rokahr from North East Water. If it wasn’t for IWN I may not have had the opportunity to learn from their experiences and work with them.
WHAT IWN PROGRAMS INTEREST YOU THE MOST?
Pipeline intelligence! When I was at YVW, I worked in complaint handling for a while and the common theme when looking at the industry as a whole is that utilities relied on people reporting an issue as opposed to having intelligence to allow proactive action to prevent the issues being reported in the first place.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE IWN ROLE?
For the industry: Kristina, Patricia and I will work on this detail very soon. The one thing we have already agreed on is that we will add value to water corps and the communities they serve.
For me personally: I’m motivated by learning, development and networking. Longer term, I want to look back and reflect on my time in the water industry and with IWN and be proud of adding value to the three Cs – company, community and country.
WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING?
Family and the people I can help now or in the future.