Thank you for making WELL’s 2026 Annual Conference a success! We were honored to welcome local Latino elected leaders and water professionals to Table Mountain Casino Resort in Friant, CA, on March 27–28 for “California’s Water Future: Leadership, Investment & Economic Resilience.”
The conference began on Friday with a water tour of the Friant Dam, followed by an evening reception featuring warm welcomes from Leticia Gonzalez (Madera County Supervisor & Graduate of the UnTapped Fellow Class of 2022, MC), Kevin McCusker (California Water Service), Gustavo Camacho (Mayor of Pico Rivera & Graduate of the UnTapped Fellow Class of 2019), and Dr. Samuel Sandoval Solis (UC Davis Professor and WELL Policy and Curriculum Advisor).
Saturday opened with a land acknowledgement by Anecita Agustinez (Executive Manager, Office of Tribal Affairs, California Department of Water Resources & WELL Advisory Council Member), followed by opening remarks from Vianey Lopez (Ventura County Supervisor & Graduate of the UnTapped Fellow Class of 2025, MC), and a compelling keynote from Xavier Becerra (U.S. 45th Secretary of Health).
We explored a panel on making resilient water systems through diverse leadership, moderated by Destiny Rodriguez, State Center Community College District Trustee and Graduate, WELL UnTapped Fellowship Class of 2024. The panel included Dr. Samuel Sandoval Solis, Eva Dominguez (Self-Help Enterprise), and Angela Islais (Central California Environmental Justice Network). Panel 2 focused on SGMA’s Impact on Local Governance, Communities, and Regional Economies, moderated by Alvaro Preciado (Mayor, City of Avenal, and Graduate, UnTapped Fellowship Program Class of 2019). Panelists included Lorena Muñoz (Community Water Center), Aaron Fukuda (Tulare Irrigation District and Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency), and Spencer Cole (Public Policy Institute of California).
We also heard powerful insights on Indigenous Knowledge and Water Stewardship from Honorable Ron W. Goode (Tribal Chairman, North Fork Mono Tribe). We closed with the final panel on Funding the Future: Rebuilding California’s Aging Water Infrastructure, moderated by Eddie Valero (Supervisor, Tulare County, and Graduate, UnTapped Fellowship Program Class of 2022). Panelists included Laura Ramos (California Water Institute, Fresno State) and Jennifer Capitolo (California Water Association).
The day ended with attendees coming together in solidarity to sing “De Colores”—a cherished Latin American folk song of unity and joy.
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 making a real difference.