Stanley Consultants and CWEEL Launch Innovation Challenge to Develop Resilient Sanitation and Hygiene Systems for Crisis-Affected Communities

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stanley Consultants, an employee-owned engineering consulting firm, and The Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL), a division of The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), have launched the CWEEL WASH Innovation Challenge, inviting innovators, professionals and students to develop water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions for communities facing crises.

The future of resilient communities depends on infrastructure that can withstand disruption and continue delivering essential services. This challenge seeks innovative solutions that work independently of traditional power, transportation and support networks to provide access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. It supports a commitment to protecting public health and strengthening community resilience for the future.

"Improving lives has been at the heart of Stanley Consultants for more than 110 years," said John Guilfoyle, Chief Technology Officer at Stanley Consultants. "This innovation challenge is an opportunity to apply engineering ingenuity, planning rigor and human-centered thinking to problems that have real human consequences. We are honored to partner with CWEEL and AEE to advance WASH solutions that help sustain communities in times of crisis."

"When disaster strikes, the systems that protect public health are often the first to fail — and the last to be restored," said Cara Olmsted, Co-Chair CWEEL. "The CWEEL WASH Innovation Challenge brings together diverse voices and disciplines to find solutions that keep working when everything else doesn't. We are thrilled to partner with Stanley Consultants, whose century of engineering expertise in water and resilient infrastructure makes them an ideal collaborator for this mission."

Participants are invited to submit concepts that improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene during emergencies such as natural disasters, regional conflicts and other significant infrastructure disruptions. Solutions should address challenges such as rapid deployment, disease prevention, community acceptance, energy constraints, service disruptions, long-term sustainability and local capacity.

The challenge is open to students, professionals, NGOs, startups, industry experts and interdisciplinary teams. Participants may submit up to three entries by November 9, 2026. Finalists will present their ideas in January 2027, and winners will be selected in February.

The overall winner will receive a $1,000 cash award, and finalists and category winners will be recognized at the 2027 AEE World Conference. All participants retain full ownership of their ideas and intellectual property.

About Stanley Consultants

Improving Lives Since 1913. Stanley Consultants is a values-based, purpose-driven engineering consulting firm with more than 110 years of helping clients and communities solve complex challenges. A known innovator and trusted partner, Stanley works closely with clients and other industry leaders to plan, design, manage and optimize infrastructure and energy projects — providing solutions that help clients manage risk, prioritize investments and deliver resilient infrastructure for today and tomorrow. For more information, visit www.stanleyconsultants.com.

About CWEEL

The Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) is a division of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). CWEEL's mission is to support career development for professional women, mentoring, networking, and scholarships for aspiring women to pursue technical education and careers in the energy and environmental fields. Since 2007, CWEEL has been committed to advancing gender equality in a historically male-dominated industry, offering members access to a network of professional peers and mentors, career advancement opportunities and leading-edge technical training.

About AEE

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is a global professional society of energy professionals dedicated to advancing the energy and environmental fields through certification, training, networking and technical education. AEE supports a greater diversity of experience, talent and ideas across the industry through its divisions, including CWEEL.

Media Inquiries

Heather Yount | Media Relations
Stanley Consultants
yountheather@stanleygroup.com | 714.287.4213
http://www.stanleyconsultants.com

AEE / CWEEL Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership a division of the Association of Energy Engineers
3168 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341 Tel: (770) 447-5083 Web: cweel.org | aeecenter.org

Raquel Mideau | Director of Marketing
Association of Energy Engineers | AEE
770.447.5083 ext. 251
aeecenter.org | raquel@aeecenter.org