Pittsburgh, PA — The National Hydropower Association (NHA) is proud to announce McKinley Harm of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District as the recipient of the second annual Rising Star Award, an annual honor established to celebrate and support the next generation of leaders in the water power sector. This award is a key component of NHA’s mission to recognize and foster emerging talent, focusing on professionals who exhibit outstanding promise and are making meaningful contributions to the advancement of water power.
The Rising Star Award highlights individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership, creativity, and innovation while contributing to the growth of the water power industry. Recipients are selected based on achievements that reflect a forward-thinking approach in their professional development and in their industry contributions. McKinley received this accolade at NHA’s Clean Currents conference and trade show, the largest gathering of the U.S. water power industry, which was held this year in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Left to right: Malcolm Woolf – President and CEO (NHA), McKinley Harm – 2025 Rising Star Award winner (CNPPID), Kelly Rogers – Senior Program Manager of FLOW (NHA)
2025 Rising Star Winner – McKinley Harm, a Civil Engineer and Deputy Dam Safety Engineer, embodies the spirit of the Rising Star Award through her leadership and dedication to advancing hydropower. Her leadership and creativity are exemplified in several key areas:
- Innovative Leadership: McKinley’s leadership style, rooted in empathy, strategic thinking, and adaptability, has fostered collaboration and empowered her team. By investing in her own professional development and learning to embrace executive presence, McKinley has become a strong communicator and a trusted leader, guiding complex projects and building bridges across teams.
- Creative Problem-Solving: McKinley’s creativity shines in her approach to technical challenges. For example, faced with persistent erosion issues at a site, she researched and implemented a novel geo-cell slope protection system—an innovative solution that has dramatically reduced maintenance, improved infrastructure resilience, and set a new benchmark for her organization. Her willingness to explore new technologies and adapt them to real-world needs exemplifies creative problem solving.
- Vision for Growth: McKinley envisions a future where water power is shaped by adaptive resource management and technological innovation. She advocates for integrated water and energy strategies, supports the adoption of emerging technologies like microturbines, and promotes efficient water use across sectors. Her long-term goal is to lead the development of resilient, sustainable hydroelectric infrastructure, ensuring water power remains a stabilizing force in the energy landscape.
“McKinley Harm’s passion for the industry and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities truly set her apart,” said Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO of NHA. “She grew up in and around dams in Nebraska. Her leadership in dam safety and engineering is helping to shape the next generation of water power professionals. We are proud to honor McKinley as this year’s Rising Star and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make in our industry.”
The Rising Star Award is presented annually to encourage and elevate professionals who exemplify leadership and a commitment to sustainable water power solutions. Through this initiative, NHA aims to recognize and support the promising talent that will drive the industry’s future success.
