Aryelle J. Berry Smith has joined the Water Quality Association (WQA) as general counsel. Smith, whose experience spans law, public service, education, real estate and nonprofit governance, steps into a key role on WQA’s executive team.

“Aryelle is a dynamic executive whose career reflects a blend of legal expertise, operational leadership, and a long-standing commitment to delivering impact,” said WQA CEO Pauli Undesser, MWS, CAE. “She has a strong track record of innovation, most recently leading the development and deployment of an AI-powered workflow platform from concept to implementation.”

Smith is a cum laude graduate of the Loyola University Chicago School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. In her new role, she will ensure legal and regulatory compliance across the association while enabling WQA to advance its mission and services in a complex domestic and international environment.

The legal counsel provides the association’s primary guidance on law, compliance, governance, and risk management and advises WQA’s product and professional certification programs, research and laboratory operations, standards‑making, government relations, contracts and regulatory matters.

Smith succeeds Chief Legal Officer Mike Sennett, who retired last month after serving nearly seven years on the WQA team.

“All told, Mike spent more than 30 years counseling WQA, beginning in the 1990s when he was with a law firm,” Undesser said. “He ended his long and valued career with us with an eye toward the future, helping us choose his successor. We treasure his service and friendship, and we wish him the best in his next chapter.”