westwater collective
We began this journey as public servants, and for us, there is still no line between public service and consulting. When you partner with us, you become part of the collective and we become part of your team.
what we do
We are your organization’s “utility player”.
Collectively, we have a deep understanding of government operations and the public process, and considerable expertise in public policy analysis, drawn from our experience as nonpartisan senior staffers in the public sector, including in the U.S. military.
We support government, not-for-profit organizations, and mission-aligned private sector companies in whatever capacity you may need. We pride ourselves on being problem-solvers -- if you have a problem, we can probably help. Our expertise lies in legislative affairs, policy analysis & research, qualitative data collection and analysis, stakeholder coordination & engagement, program evaluation and process improvement, and issue expertise & policy advice.
who we are
Karin Rueff is the founder of westwater collective. She is a strategic thinker, relationship builder, problem solver, policy nerd, and all around “ultility player”. She brings 20 years of experience working on complex policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels of government. As a Project Manager and Consultant since 2023, Karin has a strong track record for delivering work that exceeds client expectations. Her collaborative approach to consulting and mix of expertise in policy analysis and research, program and project management, stakeholder engagement, and the legislative process gives her the unique capacity to create products that are not only methodologically sound, but support leaders and organizations’ decision-making, programming, and advocacy.
what clients are saying
“This document is outstanding!!! It is beautifully written, concise, hits all the important points and emphasizes how homeowners can contribute to the safety of their properties and the community. One of the best aspects of this plan is that it is encouraging and hopeful and emphasizes our agency and power as individuals and as a community to improve our outcomes in the event of a wildfire. It provides a clear roadmap for our efforts moving forward”.
— Doubleheader / Hillview Planning Unit, Firewise Committee
“Karin lends her special skill sets to one of the most challenging areas of grassroots organizing. Since she started, we have been able to better understand new funding opportunities and connect with different foundations that align with our work to keep fossil fuels in the ground and promote solutions. Karin’s detail oriented workflow and research has been instrumental to the 350CO team! Her work has saved the fundraising and admin team hours of work”.
— 350 CO
“Thank you for taking on an incredibly challenging project and exercising maximum levels of patience with all of us, especially me. You did a great job of jumping into this crazy space and supporting us with our legislative and statutory wrangling needs”.
— Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS)
“I’m always impressed by your lightning fast follow up — I gotta find the secret sauce your’re dumping into your brain and/or computer vents”.
— Jefferson County Public Health
“This report was written by someone who truly cares about the communities in question, who knows these communities, and who is an exceptional listener. My favorite aspect of the report are the quotes, giving voice and specificity and empathy to the many unknown and unnamed who are suffering. I sure hope those in positions to implement her recommendations have the opportunity to act on this”.
—Katie Christiansen, Coyote Art & Ecology