Kayla Lumaye
Kayla Lumaye is a passionate and dedicated public works leader, serving as the Director of Public Works and Water Superintendent for the Village of Biron in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. A first-generation college student, Kayla discovered her calling in advocating for clean drinking water after overcoming early challenges; in high school, a teacher once told her she would never succeed in engineering, and it was that moment she decided to prove him wrong. Since then, she has built a career focused on ensuring safe, sustainable water systems for her community. With three clean drinking water certifications and an Associate’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (Green Bay, 2018), she has spent the past three years leading public works initiatives with expertise and integrity. Throughout her career, Kayla has held key roles in water and environmental services, including Environmental Operator at McCain Foods, Cross Connection Control Inspector at HydroCorp, and internships with the Village of Allouez and the City of Menasha. Her work spans operational management, regulatory compliance, and community engagement. In recognition of her contributions, she was nominated in April 2025 for the Remarkable Woman Award (referred to in interviews as the “Archibel Woman Award”) and was flown to California for the honor, where she directed the accompanying $1,000 award to the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin—demonstrating her commitment to giving back. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Kayla is deeply committed to conservation and outdoor pursuits. She enjoys hiking in the snow, hunting, and participating in local environmental conservation projects in her free time. Her dedication to protecting natural resources and fostering environmental stewardship complements her professional mission to ensure clean drinking water for all. Known for her resilience, technical expertise, and advocacy, Kayla continues to inspire her community while advancing water management practices with integrity and passion.
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• Municipal Waterworks Operator: Distribution, Groundwater and Surfacewater
• Cross Connection Control and Backflow Preventer Assembly tester
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College - AAS
• Remarkable Woman Award
• NWTC Environmental Club
• Izaak Walton League of America
• Ignite Young Professionals
• Speaker/ Demonstrator,
NEW Water
• Secretary, Ignite Young Professionals
What do you attribute your success to?
She credits her mother: her mother’s dedication to the family, encouragement to do better, and sacrifices that enabled Kayla to be the first in her family to attend college.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Do your job. Do it well. Then go home.”
Work-life balance isn’t a luxury in this field, it’s necessary. The job will always give you more to worry about: budgets, breaks, complaints, politics, emergencies. If you don’t consciously leave work where it belongs, it will follow you home.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Go for it. It can feel intimidating at first, but working in clean drinking water and wastewater is meaningful and rewarding.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
- Biggest challenge: aging infrastructure (underground utilities and roads) and limited funding to replace them. - Biggest opportunity: an aging workforce nearing retirement, creating many openings — a good time for newcomers to enter the field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family, honesty, integrity, respect, and being a genuine person.