PEOPLE OF XYLEM: Denise Pouleurs, Vertical Market Manager Water Utilities – Latin America
“Water treatment is my passion. It’s so inspiring to see your work move from design to install to that day when you open the valve and the water flows clear. It’s simply amazing.”
Turning a Passion for Sustainability into a Purpose-Led Career
Growing up, Denise Pouleurs was happiest when she was in nature and in particular near water, such as Calafquén Lake in the South of Chile. However, when she decided to pursue a career in environmental engineering as a young adult, she realized she had some hurdles to navigate. First, in her hometown in Chile, this was an emerging profession, and she found herself constantly explaining what it was. Second, she knew this was a predominantly male industry, but her determination kept her focused on her path.
When asked what drew her to Xylem ten years ago, Denise’s answer is simple: “Water treatment is my passion,” she says. “It’s so inspiring – and rare – to see your work move from design to install to that day when you open the valve and the water flows clear. It’s simply amazing.”
Over the years, Denise has held many leadership roles at Xylem, including serving as 
Treatment Leader in Peru, Latin America Business Development Manager, and her current role as Vertical Market Manager, Water Utilities for Latin America.
What makes Denise excited to grow her career at Xylem is the company’s work to solve water and advance sustainability, and how it aligns with her own personal sense of purpose. In her words, “My aspiration is not only to help address the world’s water issues, but also to inspire future generations to care about water challenges across my homeland, Latin America and the world.”
Two years ago, Xylem announced a bold new slate of 2025 Sustainability Goals, aligned to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. The company also expanded its sustainability commitment and strategy, which spans across its leading portfolio of water and smart infrastructure solutions, its company operations and culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, and its humanitarian work to provide safe water access and education, with a focus on youth.
“I believe we are living a collective ‘A-HA’ moment, which will help shape a new way of doing business and a more collaborative society, so we can co-create a sustainable future,” says Denise. “I am convinced that Xylem is taking this path, and that we have an incredible opportunity to solve water and to lead, and I am incredibly proud to bring my passion and purpose, and be a part of it.”
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