Educate to Lead (E2L)

The Educate to Lead Program is a groundbreaking state-wide program designed to empower women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are current leaders in the California water sector. This initiative, a collaboration between Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) and the California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF), aims to equip participants with the knowledge, confidence, and expertise to drive positive industry and organizational change.

Participants will benefit from a curriculum designed by and for BIPOC leaders, with an emphasis on developing leadership skills that support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Through innovative training, participants will gain insights into self-awareness, inclusive leadership, and strategies for supporting innovation within their organizations. The cohort size will be limited to 15 participants to ensure deep engagement, with a combination of four online and four in-person sessions to promote accessibility.

Eligibility Requirements:

Women and BIPOC leaders currently working in the California water and energy sectors
Experience in a leadership role, with a commitment to driving organizational change
Interest in contributing to DEI initiatives in the water industry
Current mid-level career leader
- Positions: finance, operations, engineering, communications, conservation, water quality, community engagement, utilities, field technician

Program Structure:

Eight sessions (four online, four in-person) led by a diverse faculty of BIPOC water industry professionals and general managers
Collaborative curriculum development led by university academics, leadership consultants, and experienced water sector professionals
A capstone project focused on addressing a leadership challenge within the participant’s home agency

Key Program Goals:

Develop a pipeline of women and BIPOC leaders for California’s water and energy sectors
Prepare participants to take on leadership roles that address the industry’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, workforce shifts, and evolving DEI needs
Provide ongoing mentorship and support from BIPOC faculty members, equipping participants for long-term career growth

Deadline to submit the application:

December 31, 2024
Click here to apply: https://form.jotform.com/242348361741153

Dates:

Session 1: In-Person, Friday, March 14 – Sunday, March 16, 2025
Session 2: Online, Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (1 hour)
Session 3: Online, Thursday, April 10, 2025 (2.5 hours)
Session 4: In-Person, Friday, April 25 – Saturday, April 26, 2025
Session 5: Online, Wednesday, April 30 (1 hour)
Session 6: Online, Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (1 hour)
Session 7: Online, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (2.5 hours)
Session 8: In-Person, May 30, 2024 – Saturday May 31, 2025
Session 9: Online, Thursday, June 12, 2025 (2.5 hours)
Session 10: Online, Thursday, June 26, 2025 (2.5 hours)
Session 11: In-Person, Friday, July 11 – Saturday, July 12, 2025