The Educate 2 Lead (E2L) Program officially launched this weekend with its inaugural cohort at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. This groundbreaking leadership initiative, founded by Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) and the California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF), is designed to empower women and underrepresented leaders in the California water and energy sectors.
E2L promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by building a pipeline of informed and engaged leaders. Through interactive training sessions, expert-led panels, and hands-on learning experiences, participants will gain the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate complex water issues and drive meaningful change in their communities. Participants will engage in seven online and four in-person sessions, carefully designed to be both accessible and highly engaging. Developed by a diverse team of leaders and experts in the water industry, the curriculum emphasizes self-awareness, inclusive leadership, and driving innovation.
The weekend opened with a presentation by Liji Thomas, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at the Metropolitan Water District, who spoke about leading with a DEI lens. She co-led this session with Stephan Tucker, General Manager at the Water Replenishment District, and Dr. Jag Lathan, CEO & Founder of New Generation Equity and Graduate, WELL UnTapped Fellowship, Summer Class of 2024. The opening session was followed by a kickoff dinner at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA). Miguel Luna provided inspirational remarks, and Marianne Gastelum, MOLAA Board Member.
On Saturday, Heather Dyer, General Manager at San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, and Jeremy Hunter, President and Founder of Executive Leadership Mind, led sessions focused on self-awareness and emotional intelligence in the workplace. The third day featured a presentation by Martha Trembley, Assistant Chief Engineer and Assistant General Manager at Los Angeles County Sanitation District, and Carol Geffner, President of Geffner Group, which explored the difference between leadership and management.
Participants also toured the Port of Long Beach, gaining insights into the region’s infrastructure and its role in water management. The weekend also included sessions on leadership qualities and relational meetings led by Victor Griego, President and Founder of WELL. Russell Lowery, Executive Director of the California African American Water Education Foundation, also joined the cohort to provide guidance on their capstone project.
The Educate 2 Lead Program sets a strong foundation for a new generation of leaders committed to addressing California’s water challenges with expertise, vision, and purpose. The next Educate 2 Lead session will take place in April at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens.
