WELL’s 11th Annual Statewide Conference took place on Friday, March 31 – Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, CA.
Conference Overview:
March 31: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Evening Reception
Keynote Speaker: Grace F. Napolitano, Congresswoman, CA D-31
April 1: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Conference
Morning Keynote Speaker: Dolores Huerta, President and Founder, Dolores Huerta Foundation
Lunchtime Keynote Speaker: Barbara Romero, Director and General Manager, LA Sanitation & Environment
MC: Dr. Sabrina Bow, President, Azusa Unified School District, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
MC: Anna Velazquez, Mayor, City of Soledad, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panel 1: What are the impacts of a hotter, more extreme climate in California’s various regions?
Description: Panelists will discuss the water impacts we are experiencing statewide and regionally. Questions to ask include: How are residents being impacted in rural and urban areas? What are the lasting impacts of aridification on our water resources? What are the challenges to California’s water portfolio?
Moderator: Elsa Mejia, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Madera, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panelists:
Kristina Dahl, Principal Climate Scientist, Union for Concerned ScientistTony Estremera, Director, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and Boardmember, WELLGokce Sencan, Research Associate, PPIC Water Policy Center
Panel 2: What changes do water suppliers need to make in order to adapt to and combat the impacts of a hotter and drier climate?
Description: Panelists will discuss the impacts on California’s water infrastructure due to a changing climate and the solutions that must be implemented to ensure our water resources meet demand. Questions to ask include: Who are the regional water suppliers, and who is responsible for managing these water supplies? What natural and built infrastructure makeup California’s water portfolio, and what infrastructure changes should we expect in the future? What should our infrastructure look like in 5 to 10 years, and how do we fund it?
Moderator: Jazmin Lopez Leos, Director, Valley County Water District and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panelists:
Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager – Water System, Los Angeles Department of Water and PowerJoone Kim Lopez, General Manager, Moulton Niguel Water District, and Boardmember, WELLZoe Rodriguez Del Rey, Water Resources Manager, Coachella Valley Water District
Panel 3: What strategies can be implemented to mitigate the impacts of California’s water challenges on our economies, communities, and environment?
Description: Panelists will share strategies that have been implemented in different cities, counties, and states to proactively combat the impact of a drier climate and the consequences of not implementing these solutions earlier. Questions to ask include: What types of policies or programs have been implemented as best practices outside of California? What changes must be made at the state, local, and residential levels in order to see the greatest benefit? How can local elected officials work with water suppliers to help implement these solutions?
Moderator: Brenda Olmos, Councilmember, City of Paramount, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panelists:
Adekunle Ojo, Water Resources Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water DistrictTracy Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, Heal the Bay, and Boardmember, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern CaliforniaJoe Yun, Executive Officer, California Water Commission
