Women in Water: Felicia Persaud

As the global climate crisis continues to escalate, women are increasingly emerging as critical drivers of change in the environmental sector. Felicia Persaud is among the accomplished environmental leaders in Guyana who is strengthening the country’s climate resilience through policy action, grassroots advocacy and the mentorship of upcoming changemakers. While Felicia’s undergraduate degree in chemistry equipped her with a solid analytical foundation, it was her postgraduate degree that inspired her passion for sustainable water management. During this time, Felicia gained a deep awareness of the urgent need to protect and preserve water resources.

​Like many women who occupy technical and decision-making roles in the field, Felicia has faced moments where her voice was overlooked and her competence questioned. However, rather than deterring her, these difficulties have only added to her determination to achieve success and to pave the way for the next generation of women committed to driving sustainable change.

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One of Felicia’s notable successes involved championing the expansion of water quality testing services. She is currently spearheading an initiative to broaden our analytical scope by introducing trace metals analysis using specialized equipment. “This required method development, validation, and targeted staff training”, says Felicia. Felicia has also collaborated closely with technical partners to improve instrument calibration routines and quality control systems, which strengthened Guyana’s alignment with ISO 17025 standards.

Felicia views her combined expertise in chemistry and sustainable development as a vital asset in bridging the gap between science and policy. As such, she advocates for ecosystem-based management that values rivers, wetlands, and aquifers, and supports national water quality standards tied to land-use planning. Felicia also actively promotes capacity building in labs and regulatory agencies. She believes that these efforts are needed to ensure that environmental monitoring remains a focus during rapid development phases.

Her efforts have bridged critical gaps in Guyana’s water quality data which is essential to decision-making in sectors such as public health. Felicia’s work has not only strengthened the scientific rigor of environmental monitoring in Guyana but also laid a strong foundation for data driven policies pivotal to public health and the conservation of natural resources for generations to come.

When asked about the role of women in driving environmental change, Felicia emphasized that “women play a vital role in driving environmental change because they bring diverse perspectives, collaborative approaches, and a deep sense of responsibility to community and future generations”. She believes that in many parts of the world women are often the first to feel the impacts of environmental degradation. Consequently, their insights are valuable and essential in the crafting of feasible and inclusive solutions.

Therefore, Felicia believes that intentional investments in mentorship, access to technical training and the involvement of women in decision-making are important to encourage more women to take up leadership roles in sustainable development. She underscored that “representation matters —when young women see others leading water policy, heading labs, or negotiating environmental agreements, it sends a powerful message that their voices are needed and valued”.

Felicia advises young women to never underestimate the power of their perspective. She stressed that environmental work thrives on diverse thoughts, experiences, and approaches. As such, their contribution to the field is significant no matter the sector. Felicia also encourages building a strong scientific or technical foundation, while also developing soft skills like communication, collaboration, and systems thinking. She urges young women to seek mentors, connect with others in the field, embrace lifelong learning, and most importantly, believe they belong in spaces of influence.

Felicia Persaud serves as an exemplary leader whose purpose-driven approach is characterized by resilience, inclusive representation, and a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. She is a testament to the vital role women play in decision-making and in driving sustainable change.