Thank you for making WELL’s 2026 SoCal Water Summit a success! We were honored to welcome local Latino elected leaders on June 13 for “Policy, Scarcity, and Resilience: The Future of Local Water Systems.”
The Summit opened with a land acknowledgment by Monica Sanchez (Mayor Pro Tem, City of Pico Rivera, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2022; and Summit MC), followed by welcoming remarks from John Allen (Director, Water Replenishment District), who welcomed attendees to the agency’s Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning.
We also heard from Victor Griego (President and Founder, WELL), followed by a keynote from Joaquin Esquivel (Chair, State Water Resources Control Board).
The program featured a panel on The Rise of Data Centers & Water Infrastructure, moderated by J. Pablo Ortiz-Partida (Director of Innovation and Collaboration, The Union of Concerned Scientists, and Science and Curriculum Advisor, WELL). The panel included Charles F. Zukoski (Professor, University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering); and Martha Cardenas-Singh (Supervisor, Imperial County, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2026).
The second panel focused on Workforce Development & the Future of Water Infrastructure, moderated by Jose Reynoso (General Manager, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District); and featured Brenda Martinez (Workforce Development Unit Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California).
The final discussion focused on Water Rates, Finance & Local Investment, moderated by Anatole Falagan (General Manager, Long Beach Utilities). The panel featured Lee Alexanderson (Principal Engineer, Los Angeles County Public Works) and Denny Zane (Policy Director, Move LA).
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in thoughtful conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing California’s water systems and the importance of developing resilient, community-centered solutions.
The day concluded in solidarity with all attendees coming together to sing De Colores—a cherished Mexican folk song that celebrates unity, hope, and community.
A huge thank you to all our speakers, panelists, moderators, sponsors, and every leader who joined us. Your commitment to equitable, resilient water systems for California’s communities, especially those historically underrepresented, is helping shape a stronger future for our state.