Summer 2025 – Latinos for Water

What's New with WELL:

Over the past few months, WELL has been engaged in a variety of programs and activities. We are excited to share what we’ve been hard at work at:

The Well UnTapped Fellowship Summer Class of 2025 Underway in July: Nine locally elected Latino leaders from across California have been selected for the Summer 2025 UnTapped Fellowship.
WELL UnTapped Fellowship Winter Class of 2025 Graduates Ninth Cohort: The Winter 2025 cohort wrapped up its UnTapped journey in Richmond and Sacramento, joining other water leaders across the state in the WELL UnTapped Network (WUN).
Educate 2 Lead Program Update: The inaugural Educate 2 Lead cohort continues its transformative experience, building equity-centered leadership skills through immersive training, expert facilitation, and peer collaboration.
Applications Open for Educate 2 Lead (E2L) Fall 2025: Applications are open for E2L’s next cohort. Are you a mid-level professional from the water or energy sector? If so, join this incredible leadership development opportunity and advance your career goals
WELL Hosts 2025 Webinar on Recycled Water: WELL convened a panel of experts for a vital discussion about how recycled water can be a solution to attaining long-term sustainability for California’s water system.
WELLos Spotlight: Our WELLos continue to lead and create positive change in their communities, advancing WELL’s mission through impactful leadership.
Partner Spotlight: Discover new collaborations, key achievements, and the positive impact our partners are making in California and in the water sector.
California Water News: Stay informed with water news and updates from December through March.
Support WELL’s Mission! Help us advance equitable water policy solutions by supporting our work to educate and empower local elected Latino leaders.

Dear Friends of WELL,

We hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. During these challenging times, we know many in our communities are feeling the weight of uncertainty, fear, and frustration. As tensions rise and protests continue across Los Angeles and beyond, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the strength and resilience of those standing up for justice—and to reaffirm our commitment to supporting you through it all.

The recent protests and escalating actions in Los Angeles are a stark reminder of the deep injustices that immigrant communities continue to face. Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) stands in unwavering solidarity with our immigrant neighbors, families, and community leaders—many of whom are directly impacted by the policies and patterns of intimidation we are witnessing.

These events do not exist in a vacuum. They reflect a systemic erosion of rights, trust, and dignity, particularly for communities that have historically been marginalized and silenced. As an organization committed to uplifting Latino leadership and strengthening community resilience, WELL recognizes that these struggles are directly connected to our work.

Our mission has always been rooted in equity, education, and empowerment. We focus on water not just as a resource, but as a human right—essential to health, opportunity, and quality of life. But access to clean and affordable water is not separate from access to justice, safety, or freedom from persecution. They are deeply intertwined.

Our WELL UnTapped Fellowship alumni are local elected officials who are now on the frontlines—advocating for fair policy, protecting public resources, and fighting to ensure all residents, regardless of immigration status, have access to basic human needs. This is the heart of WELL’s work: equipping leaders with the tools and knowledge to build more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

¡Sí Se Puede!

Meet the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program Summer Class of 2025!

After a competitive application process, we are proud to announce the class of nine locally elected Latino leaders selected for the Summer 2025 WELL UnTapped Fellowship. These California leaders represent diverse regions across the state, yet are united by a shared commitment to water equity and passion for strengthening their communities through knowledge and advocacy.

Esteven Bennett, Director, West Valley Water District
Ray Bonilla, Councilmember, City of Hayward
Mario Enríquez, Councilmember, City of Stockton
Victoria Garcia, Councilmember, City of San Fernando
Nabil Kherfan, Trustee, Central Unified School District
Jaime Patiño, Councilmember, City of Union City
Jose Rodriguez, Councilmember, City of Madera
Jorge Herrera Avila, Councilmember, City of San Gabriel
Olga Smith, Boardmember, Antioch Unified School District

Beginning in July, these Fellows will embark on a six-month water education journey, learning how to navigate and influence California water policy while addressing the unique challenges facing their communities. The UnTapped Fellowship provides in-depth training on California’s water history and governance, infrastructure, finance, and the growing impact of climate change on water supply and quality. Grounded in the human right to water and centered on principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the program equips leaders to drive meaningful and informed change in the water sector. To learn more about the WELL UnTapped Summer Class of 2025, click here.

Winter 2025 WELL UnTapped Cohort Completes Final Sessions in Richmond and Sacramento!

As the Winter Class of 2025 concluded its UnTapped Fellowship journey, the final two sessions offered powerful insights into California’s most pressing water challenges—from water storage and management strategies to the future of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

In Richmond, Fellows explored water quality, storage, and sea-level rise adaptation with experts, including Thomas Mumbley, Former Assistant Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Jennifer Clary, California Director at Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund. Site visits to West County Wastewater, the Northshore Line Adaptation Project, and the Bay-Delta Model deepened their understanding of integrated water management. WELL Founder and President, Victor Griego, also led a leadership training on building community through relational meetings.

The final session in Sacramento took Fellows into the heart of water politics, tribal perspectives, and climate vulnerabilities. The weekend concluded with a site visit to the UC Davis Fish Lab, a walk through the Locke Historic District, and a graduation dinner with leaders from across the world of water. Thank you to ACWA for generously hosting the final session of WELL’s 2025 UnTapped Fellowship and helping us celebrate our fellows’ journey.

These 11 Fellows now join the WELL UnTapped Network (WUN), a growing statewide alliance of local elected leaders committed to advancing safe, clean, and affordable water for all Californians.

Leading with Purpose: The 2025 Journey of the Educate 2 Lead Cohort

The Educate 2 Lead (E2L) program—an initiative co-founded by Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) and the California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF)—is well underway in its inaugural year, equipping women and underrepresented leaders in California’s water and energy sectors with the tools to lead with clarity, equity, and purpose.

Since launching in early 2025, E2L participants have explored core themes, such as self-awareness, emotional intelligence, navigating crises, and building high-performing teams. Dr. Jeremy Hunter, Founding Director, Executive Mind Leadership Institute, and Dr. Jaguanana Lathan, CEO and Founder, New Generation Equity and Graduate, WELL UnTapped, Class of Summer 2024, and other esteemed facilitators have led dynamic online sessions focusing on leadership under pressure, equity-centered strategies, and emotional agility. Fellows learned how to harness adversity, coach with empathy, and manage transitions in times of uncertainty.

The program also featured two impactful in-person gatherings. In April, the cohort convened in Los Angeles at the LA River Center, where leaders from across the water sector—including Heather Dryer, General Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District; Shivaji Deshmukh, General Manager, Inland Empire Utilities District; and Diana Mahmud, Former Board Chair, Clean Power Alliance—guided sessions on storytelling through public narrative, coaching conversations, and personal leadership journeys. The experience was enriched with a tour of the LA River and a leadership dinner with senior agency officials.

Most recently, participants gathered at the Water Replenishment District’s Albert Robles Center in Pico Rivera in May for an in-depth exploration of inclusive leadership and how to lead high-performance teams. Led by experts like Liji Thomas, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Joone Kim-Lopez, General Manager, Moulton Niguel Water District; and Dr. Becky Reichard, Professor, Claremont Graduate University, topics included cognitive bias, psychological safety, and personal development planning,

As the inaugural E2L cohort approaches graduation in July 2025, these leaders carry forward new tools, perspectives, and relationships that will help them drive meaningful change across California’s water and energy sectors. With a strong foundation in equity-centered leadership, emotional intelligence, and systems thinking, they are poised to step into new levels of influence, ready to lead with authenticity, courage, and purpose. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and the impact they’ll continue to make long after the program concludes.

As we celebrate this upcoming July graduation of the inaugural Educate 2 Lead cohort, we are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Fall 2025 cohort. This is a unique opportunity for leaders in California’s water and energy sectors to deepen their leadership skills, build powerful networks, and drive change in their communities. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply soon—space is limited!

Applications Open for Fall 2025 Educate 2 Lead Class! Apply Now!

Educate 2 Lead (E2L), a statewide leadership initiative co-founded by Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) and the California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF), is now accepting applications for its Fall 2025 cohort. Designed for mid-level professionals in California’s water and energy sectors, E2L equips participants with the leadership skills, industry insight, and confidence needed to advance in their careers and drive meaningful change.

The program includes five in-person sessions, each structured to foster personal and professional growth through practical leadership training. Grounded in a curriculum co-developed by industry leaders, university faculty, and experienced water professionals, the program focuses on inclusive leadership, innovation, and self-awareness. Academic partners include faculty from the Claremont Graduate University. To ensure a high level of engagement, the cohort is limited to 20 participants.

Eligibility Criteria:

Mid-level professionals currently employed in the California water or energy sectors.
Demonstrated experience in a leadership role and commitment to organizational change.
Eligible roles include those in operations, finance, engineering, communications, conservation, water quality, utilities, field services, and more.

Program Details:

Five in-person sessions led by a diverse faculty of general managers, industry experts, and leadership consultants.
A capstone project focused on solving a leadership challenge within the participant’s home agency.
Ongoing mentorship and support throughout the program.

Program Dates:

Session 1: October 2–4, 2025
Session 2: October 23–24, 2025
Session 3: December 11–12, 2025
Session 4: January 22–23, 2026
Session 5: February 26–27, 2026

(All sessions will take place in Southern California.)

Program Cost:
Thanks to the support of the California Workforce Development Board, the cost to participate in Educate 2 Lead is subsidized and offered at a reduced rate of $1,500. This fee covers lodging, meals during program hours, a curated curriculum, and all logistics. A limited number of scholarships are available, and early application is encouraged for those seeking financial support.

For more information or to apply, contact Laura Juarez at Laura@latinosforwater.org or visit latinosforwater.org/educate-to-lead

WELL Hosts 2025 Webinar on Recycled Water, Key to a Resilient Water Future for California

Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) recently hosted an engaging webinar focused on the vital role of recycled water in California’s water resilience strategy. This informative session brought together water experts, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss how recycled water can help address the state’s growing water challenges amid drought, climate change, and population growth.

The panel featured Jan Lee, General Manager of Dublin San Ramon Services District; Dr. Newsha Ajami, water resources expert and researcher; Barbara Romero, Director and General Manager at Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment. Skillfully moderated by Oscar Ortiz, Councilmember, City of Indio, and Graduate, WELL UnTapped Class of 2022, the panel explored the benefits of recycled water, including reducing reliance on imported supplies, supporting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing groundwater recharge efforts.

Panelists also discussed innovations in treatment technology, evolving regulatory frameworks, and strategies for increasing public trust and acceptance. The conversation highlighted recycled water as a critical piece of California’s water portfolio, essential for ensuring safe, affordable, and reliable water access for all communities.

Attendees left the session equipped with valuable knowledge to champion recycled water initiatives locally. WELL thanks the panelists, moderator, and all participants for contributing to a meaningful dialogue.

Partnering for Resilience: WELL Recognized by Sonoran Institute

Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) is honored to be recognized by the Sonoran Institute for its leadership in bringing the Growing Water Smart program to California, supporting local governments in integrating land use and water planning to address climate change and water scarcity. In partnership with the Sonoran Institute and the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, WELL helped deliver workshops in cities like Baldwin Park, Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands, Rialto, and Pico Rivera, equipping diverse community teams with tools to set water-use goals, adopt conservation strategies, and engage residents.

By recruiting and training facilitators—many of them WELL UnTapped alumni—WELL has ensured that historically underrepresented voices are leading the charge toward sustainable and equitable water management across the state.

WELLos Spotlight:

For Brenda Olmos, Leadership Is about ‘Stand[ing] up for Our Communities’

When ICE raids rocked the community of Paramount, Vice Mayor Brenda Olmos and Graduate, UnTapped, Class of 2023 —fresh off her installation as president of the California Contract Cities Association—rose to the moment. Her theme, Communities Unidos, became a rallying cry as she led efforts to educate residents about their rights, support local businesses, and push back against racial profiling and fear. A graduate of WELL’s UnTapped Fellowship Class of 2023, Brenda continues to champion smart governance, clean water access, and the power of collective action in times of crisis. To read more, click here.

Teresa Acosta Credits WELL for ‘Helping Me See the Bigger Picture’

From a young single mom, City of Carlsbad Councilmember Teresa Acosta, Graduate, UnTapped, Class of Winter 2025in Los Angeles to a regional water leader and future president of the League of California Cities, Teresa Acosta’s story is one of firsts, resilience, and purpose. In this powerful reflection, she shares how the WELL UnTapped Fellowship helped her “see the bigger picture,” shaped her approach to water policy, leadership, and equity, and supported her role in helping secure a historic settlement agreement that lowered water rates for millions in Southern California. To read more, click here.

Dr. Steve Gibson, Trustee, Pasadena City College and Graduate, UnTapped, Class of Winter 2024, was recognized as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year for Region 15 of the California Democratic Party at the June 2025 Annual Convention in Anaheim, honoring his outstanding commitment to civic engagement and public service.

Igor Tregub, Councilmember, City of Berkeley and Graduate, UnTapped, Class of 2020, a long‑time Sierra Club organizer, has been elected to the Sierra Club’s National Board of Directors, marking a new milestone in his 15-year environmental advocacy journey. His leadership experience at both local and statewide levels positions him well to help guide the organization at this pivotal time.