Educate to Lead (E2L)

The California Water, Wastewater, and Energy Workforce Development Program has awarded funding to Water Education for Latino Leaders for a leadership training program designed to train and elevate California’s existing water, wastewater, and energy workers.

This collaborative initiative will offer a groundbreaking Executive Leadership Training program designed to equip women and BIPOC mid-level and senior managers with the skills necessary for executive leadership roles in a changing workforce environment. Sessions will feature essential topics such as Organizational Leadership, Leading Innovation, and Inclusive Leadership.

With a maximum cohort size of 15, the Educate to Lead Program will consist of online and in-person sessions, ensuring accessibility and engagement for participants across various locales. Sessions will be led by a team of faculty members comprised of BIPOC general managers and water industry professionals from California’s largest water districts, each bringing their unique perspective. The faculty will have the assistance of experienced academics who will provide resources and tools to develop class topics and provide an overall framework for the curriculum. A professional leadership trainer will also assist faculty in structuring their presentations. This collaboration will ensure that each faculty member comes well-prepared and can incorporate the latest methodologies and research.

Each learning cohort will benefit from the faculty’s diverse insight and experiences, further enriching their educational
journey. Upon program completion, participants will undertake a capstone project to address a leadership challenge that benefits their home agency’s specific needs.

Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) and California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF) are working together to establish this state-wide leadership training initiative targeted at women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are current leaders within the Californian water sector. The program will provide participants with the knowledge, confidence, and expertise required to initiate positive organizational change.

The program is set to launch in 2025.

If you or someone you know are interested in the Educate to Lead program, please fill out this interest form: https://form.jotform.com/242348361741153