People will soon understand that we’re making improvements. And they will realize that in an industry driven by purpose, the future is bright because the people are pulling in that direction. I see young people very motivated and connected with water, and that’s where we should be putting our energy.”
In the latest episode of Distilled, host Will Sarni, Practice Lead, Water and Nature at Earth Finance, sits down with a new guest to discuss how the water sector is evolving, from the rise of open innovation and ecosystem collaboration to the importance of tackling the right problems rather than just chasing technology.
Daniel Benítez, Vice President and General Manager, Innovation & New Ventures at Veralto, joined Will to talk about why collaboration, patience, and long-term thinking are essential for meaningful innovation, how observing and listening to operators shapes solutions, and why mentoring the next generation is key to sustaining progress.
Watch the full video episode below or keep reading for the write-up.
Daniel on how he got hooked on water
For Daniel, water wasn’t a career choice, but a calling that found him. Born in Argentina and trained as a chemical engineer, he began his career in the energy sector — specifically in the areas of automation and innovation — helping commercial teams solve customer problems.
He worked in Belfast before returning to the U.S. in 2014. He felt that something was missing; a disconnect between his values and the work he was doing. That was, until he joined Danaher, with a focus on water analytics.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Daniel realized that it’s impossible to innovate without being optimistic. And throughout that time, he also began to ask himself why he felt attached to his colleagues who were also working remotely.
This is my tribe. Water touches everything I care about: family, nature, and community.”
During their first post-pandemic meeting, they explored why they were doing what they were doing. Daniel quickly realized that water was more than infrastructure or technology, but a medium through which he could make a tangible impact on people’s lives. From ensuring safe drinking water to supporting outdoor sports and protecting ecosystems, Daniel found a sector where his purpose, skills, and values intersected.
Daniel on purpose that drives collaboration
Purpose is what really brings people together in the water sector. Daniel points out that when everyone is working toward a bigger goal — protecting water, nature, and communities — it changes how teams work. Collaboration replaces competition, and the focus moves toward collective progress.
Daniel also believes that having a shared purpose helps teams adopt a growth mindset, become more motivated, and create a strong sense of belonging. He spoke to a municipal engineer who has worked at the same water plant for 15 years because he wants to be part of the team that’s ensuring safe water for his family.
We know we cannot change everything on our own. And as individuals, working for a purpose gives us a much bigger reward than just monetary compensation.”
Daniel also believes that the purpose element in the world of water is different. No one person can do it alone, and the values of business teams and the values of the customer are in perfect alignment. For him, his work never feels like work.
come together to listen, challenge, and build trust. Creating these “safe spaces” requires consistent investment.
Daniel on open innovation in the water sector
Daniel sees the water sector moving toward open innovation, but he’s clear that the ecosystem is still finding its feet. Over the last six or seven years, venture capital, private companies, and water treatment organizations have started collaborating more openly. Companies are sharing lessons, working together on challenges, and even partnering with competitors when it makes sense. He says that dedicated water-focused investment funds are still rare, but the general attitude is shifting toward impact-driven collaboration.
Figuring out what the real problems are — what’s actually slowing things down for customers — is key. For near-term innovation, fixing obvious inefficiencies can make a big difference. But looking further ahead means taking bigger risks: emerging contaminants, new markets, and technologies that don’t exist yet. That kind of innovation takes patience and careful planning.
Daniel also stresses that change in water is slow for a reason: there’s a lot of responsibility, and one wrong move can affect millions of people. Innovation is a marathon, not a sprint. Teams need to balance the desire for speed with what end users can realistically adopt.
Do not get frustrated in that ecosystem from your ability to drive change. Just keep working. It’s a marathon race. It’s not a sprint. It is getting the next couple of miles done.”
He also believes that purpose plays a huge role in all of this. When teams are driven by purpose, they’re more willing to collaborate, take smart risks, and stick with it for the long haul. And by paying close attention to customers and the broader ecosystem, they can make sure innovation actually solves the problems that matter.
Daniel on solving the right problems in water
Daniel’s clear on the fact that innovation isn’t just about technology. In fact, Daniel often pushes back on the idea that tech is the solution to everything. Many customer problems stem from organizational or process challenges rather than gaps in tech. His approach is to sit down with customers, identify real pain points, and understand barriers to solving them. In some cases, solutions already exist, but users haven’t adopted them yet. The key, he believes, is ensuring innovations target the right problems — those that matter to the people actually using the systems.
Innovation isn’t about technology alone. It’s about solving the problems that matter to the people actually using the system.”
He takes a long-term view, constantly testing hypotheses and scanning the horizon for emerging challenges, from new contaminants to shifting regulations. He goes directly to treatment plants, observes operations, and listens to operators to validate assumptions. This helps him identify which problems are immediate and which may surface years down the line. His team diversifies across multiple areas, knowing that not every effort will succeed, and they continuously review decisions to stay flexible and ready to pivot if needed.
For Daniel, innovation is a balance between ecosystem collaboration, practical problem-solving, and long-term thinking. It’s about connecting the dots across customers, technologies, and emerging trends, and understanding that success often comes from persistence, careful risk management, and seeing beyond the short term.
Daniel on empowering the next generation
Daniel’s clear on the fact that innovation isn’t just about technology. In fact, Daniel often pushes back on the idea that tech is the solution to everything. Many customer problems stem from organizational or process challenges rather than gaps in tech. His approach is to sit down with customers, identify real pain points, and understand barriers to solving them. In some cases, solutions already exist, but users haven’t adopted them yet. The key, he believes, is ensuring innovations target the right problems — those that matter to the people actually using the systems.
I’m always looking to learn from and listen to other people. If they say, ‘Daniel, I think we should be going in that direction’, my commitment is to listen. I will have my opinion and I will share it. But my commitment is to listen.”
Mentorship and coaching are extremely important to him. He’s open to conversations, debates, and differing viewpoints, and emphasizes listening as much as sharing his own perspective. By empowering emerging talent and staying engaged in the ecosystem, Daniel sees a future that’s not just manageable, but genuinely positive.
Interested in more Distilled content?
Hosted by Will Sarni, Distilled is a video podcast series that features water leaders from around the world. Each one-on-one conversation explores the guest’s unique career path, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the water industry, and considers what’s next for water.
You can find the full catalog of episodes here.
