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:
- WELL was awarded a Nonprofit of the Year award!
On May 20, WELL visited the Capitol in Sacramento to receive a Nonprofit of the Year award. - In celebration of WELL’s 15th anniversary, participants in the Winter 2027 UnTapped Fellowship will receive a scholarship:
WELL is now accepting applications for the Winter 2027 UnTapped Fellowship, a six-month program equipping local elected officials to lead on water policy and governance. - WELL Hosts 2026 SoCal Water Summit:
WELL hosted its SoCal Water Summit in Pico Rivera on June 13, 2026. A day of learning, dialogue, and action – focused on California’s water future. - WELL Hosts a Live Webinar:
On August 20, 2026, WELL hosted a live webinar exploring the policy, supply, and management issues shaping California’s water future. - Welcome the Fall 2026 Class of Educate 2 Lead (E2L)!
WELL and CAAWEF kicked off the first session of the Fall 2026 E2L class in Los Angeles, California. - RSVP for WELL’s 2027 Annual Conference:
WELL will be hosting its 15th annual conference in Pico Rivera, California, on March 19 -20, 2027. RSVP for more information. - Welcome to the WELL Team, Paola Schenkelberg!
We’re excited to announce Paola Schenkelberg as WELL’s new Civic and Political Engagement Manager. - Test Your Water Knowledge:
WELL has created an interactive quiz to help you learn more about one of our most important natural resources, water! - Give During Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) is celebrating the leaders who are changing that—and investing in the next generation who will follow them. - WELLos Spotlight:
WELL alumni continue to lead and be recognized statewide for their service, appointments, and impact in their communities. - Partner Spotlight:
Highlighting collaborations and partnerships advancing equitable water governance across California. - California Water News:
Key water policy updates and developments from February through May. - Support WELL’s Mission:
Your support helps educate, engage, and empower local elected officials to advance equitable and sustainable water leadership statewide.
Dear Friends of WELL,
Over the past 18 months, communities throughout Los Angeles County and Southern California have experienced a series of devastating fires and environmental emergencies that continue to affect residents long after the initial incidents. From the Eaton Fire to the ongoing warehouse fire in Boyle Heights near downtown Los Angeles and the recent chemical emergency in Orange County, these events serve as powerful reminders that the health of our communities is deeply connected to the health of our environment.
Whether a fire occurs in a wildland area, an urban neighborhood, or an industrial facility, the impacts often extend far beyond the immediate emergency. Fires can affect air quality, public health, local ecosystems, critical infrastructure, and water resources. When rainfall follows a fire, ash, debris, sediment, and contaminants can be carried into rivers, streams, storm drains, and groundwater recharge areas, creating additional challenges for water quality, habitat restoration, and watershed management.
These events highlight an important reality: water, public health, emergency preparedness, environmental stewardship, and community resilience are not separate issues. They are interconnected systems that require coordinated planning and informed decision-making. As California continues to face the dual challenges of drought and extreme weather events, and increasing development pressures, local leaders play a critical role in helping communities prepare for and respond to these complex challenges.
Through WELL’s UnTapped Fellowship program, local elected officials can deepen their understanding of the connections among water management, finance, environmental protection, infrastructure resilience, and public policy.
Together, we can strengthen our understanding of the relationship between environmental stewardship, water resources, public health, and community resilience, ensuring that future generations inherit communities prepared to meet the challenges ahead.
¡Sí Se Puede!
WELL was awarded a Nonprofit of the Year award!
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, WELL was honored to visit the State Capitol to receive the Nonprofit of the Year Award, sponsored by CalNonprofits in collaboration with the California State Senate and Assembly. We are deeply grateful to Senator María Elena Durazo for this recognition and nomination. This honor reflects the collective work of our partners and communities across California who are advancing equitable water education, leadership development, and access to opportunity in the water sector.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our WELLos and partners for joining us in receiving this recognition: Eddie Valero (Supervisor, County of Tulare, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2022); Leticia Gonzalez (Supervisor, Madera County; Board Member, WELL; and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2022), Alma Hernandez (Mayor, City o
f Suisun, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2024), Frank Figueroa (Mayor, City of Coachella, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2024), Denise Delgado (Councilmember, City of Coachella, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2019); Monica Sanchez (Councilmember, City of Pico Rivera, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2022); Mary Solorio (Councilmember, City of San Fernando, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2025); Debra Lucero (Former Supervisor, County of Butte; Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2022, and Director of Development, WELL); Sally Flowers (Former Councilmember, City of Artesia; Graduate, UnTapped Class 2018; and Board Member, WELL); Cheryl Sudduth (President, West County Wastewater District, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2022), Celeste Rodriguez (Assemblymember, D- San Fernando Valley, and Graduate UnTapped Class of 2024), Vianey Lopez (Supervisor, Ventura County, and Graduate, UnTapped Class of 2025), Stephanie Virgen (Councilmember, City of Coachella, and Graduate UnTapped Class of 2024), Cástulo Estrada (Board Vice President, Coachella Valley Water District, and Board Member, WELL), and our including our partners, Russell Lowery (Executive Director, California African American Water Education Foundation)
We are proud to share this recognition with our entire community. It reflects years of shared commitment to expanding access, strengthening leadership, and building a more equitable water future for California.
Thank you for being part of this work and for your continued support of WELL and our mission!
In celebration of WELL's 15th anniversary, participation in the Winter 2027 UnTapped Fellowship is offered at no cost.
Are you a local elected leader looking to expand your knowledge on the water challenges across California?
The UnTapped Fellowship is a selective six-month leadership development program designed for local elected officials who want to deepen their understanding of California water policy and make a meaningful impact in their communities. Through a combination of hands-on learning, expert-led discussions, and peer collaboration, fellows gain the knowledge, skills, and network needed to address local water challenges and engage in statewide water policy conversations.
As WELL nears its 15th anniversary in 2027, it is offering scholarships to all accepted into the program, saving cities and agencies between $3,500 and $4,500. The deadline is September 4, 2026. SPACE IS LIMITED – APPLY TODAY
For questions or more information, contact Paola Schenkelberg at Paola@latinosforwater.org.
WELL Hosts 2026 SoCal Water Summit
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, WELL hosted its 2026 SoCal Water Summit in Pico Rivera, California. We were honored to welcome local Latino elected leaders for a discussion on “Policy, Scarcity, and Resilience: The Future of Local Water Systems.”
The Summit opened with a land acknowledgment by Dr. Monica Sanchez (Mayor Pro Tem, City of Pico Rivera; and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2022; and Summit MC), followed by welcoming remarks from John Allen (Director, Water Replenishment District).
We also heard from Victor Griego (President and Founder, WELL), followed by a conversation with Joaquin Esquivel (Chair, State Water Resources Control Board).
The program featured a panel on The Rise of Data Centers & Water Infrastructure, moderated by J. Pablo Ortiz-Partida (Director of Innovation and Collaboration at The Union of Concerned Scientists and Science and Curriculum Advisor at WELL). The panel included Charles F. Zukoski (Professor, University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering) and Martha Cardenas-Singh (Supervisor, Imperial County, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2026).
The second panel focused on Workforce Development & the Future of Water Infrastructure, moderated by Jose Reynoso (General Manager, Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District); and featured Brenda Martinez (Workforce Development Unit Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California).
The final discussion, moderated by B. Anatole Falagan (General Manager, Long Beach Utilities), focused on Water Rates, Finance & Local Investment. The panel featured Lee Alexanderson (Principal Engineer, Los Angeles County Public Works) and Denny Zane (Policy Director, Move LA).
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 helping shape a stronger future for our state.
WELL Hosts a Live Webinar on August 20, 2026
Public policy changes at the state and regional levels are reshaping the future of water management across California, with significant implications for affordability, reliability, and long-term planning. As communities navigate a changing regulatory landscape, understanding these shifts is critical to addressing both immediate and long-term water challenges.
On August 20, 2026, WELL hosted a webinar that brought together water leaders from across California to explore recent policy shifts, how they are being felt at the local level, and what they mean for communities and California’s water future.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our webinar sponsors for their generous support of this webinar and for helping WELL continue to provide educational opportunities that connect leaders and communities across California’s water sector.
We also thank our panelists, Tina Shields, Harvey De La Torre, Dr. Bhabesh Chakrabarti, P.E., and our moderator, Malika Jones, for sharing their expertise and perspectives.
Welcome to the Educate 2 Lead Fall Class of 2026!
On Thursday, August 27, and Friday, August 28, the Educate 2 Lead (E2L) program officially kicked off the first session of its third cohort at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens in Los Angeles, CA.
Nancy Huynh (LADWP), an E2L participant, welcomed her 16 colleagues with a land acknowledgment, recognizing our connection and responsibility to the land and water that sustain our communities.
The session on self-awareness was led by Dr. Jeremy Hunter, Founding Director of the Executive Mind Leadership Institute at the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management, and co-led by Heather Dyer, General Manager of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. The session emphasized the importance of self-care and explored how self-awareness and personal well-being can influence leadership, relationships, and the ability to effectively support a team.
On the second day, we introduced Transcendental Meditation, guided by Laura Juarez, Workforce Development Engagement Manager at WELL. The practice provided participants with an opportunity to pause, reset, and cultivate greater mental clarity and self-awareness.
Participants then transitioned into the day’s next leadership topic, Leading with a DEI Lens: Unconscious Bias, led by Liji Thomas and co-led by Martha Tremblay and Stephan Tucker, General Manager of the Water Replenishment District. Throughout the session, participants explored the value of leading with inclusion, identified the key traits of inclusive leadership, and began building practical skills to apply these principles within their organizations and teams.
Prior to the session, participants completed the LeADself Assessment and on Friday were guided through interpreting their results and began the coaching process of developing goals to strengthen areas for growth with Dr. Ashley Watterson, Leadership Development Consultant at Claremont Graduate University, and Stacie Takeguchi, Assistant General Manager at PWP.
In keeping with WELL’s culture, we concluded the two-day session in unity by singing “De Colores,” a traditional movement song that celebrates community, connection, and coming together in solidarity.
Interested in learning more about Educate 2 Lead (E2L)? Click the link below.
Questions? Contact Laura Juarez at Laura@latinosforwater.org.
Save the Date: WELL’s 2027 Annual Conference
The conversations shaping California’s water future don’t end with one webinar.
We invite you to join WELL on March 19–20, 2027, in Pico Rivera, California, for our 2027 Annual Conference—bringing together local elected officials, water leaders, community partners and experts to learn, connect and engage around the issues affecting California communities.
Interested in attending?
WELL Welcomes New Staff Member, Paola Schenkelberg
Paola Schenkelberg, MSW, serves as the Civic and Political Engagement Manager for Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL). A bilingual English-Spanish leader with more than 15 years of experience in community engagement, program development, and nonprofit leadership, Paola is passionate about empowering communities and advancing equitable access to resources and opportunities.
How much do you know about water?
WELL created this interactive quiz to help you test your knowledge and learn more about the important water issues that impact our communities. From California’s water system and groundwater to conservation and other key water topics, the quiz is a fun and engaging way to expand your understanding of this vital resource.
Think you know water? Put your knowledge to the test and take the quiz today!
Invest in Latino Leadership. Invest in California’s Water Future. Hispanic Heritage Month | September 15–October 15
Latinos are nearly 42% of California’s population, yet our voices remain dramatically underrepresented in many of the places where decisions about water are made.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) is celebrating the leaders who are changing that—and investing in the next generation who will follow them.
Your gift helps put more Latino leaders at the water policy table.
Recent research conducted by WELL and the UC Davis Water Management Lab provides a revealing baseline for representation and access within California’s public water agencies. Researchers identified 1,980 public water agencies and analyzed a representative sample of 688 agencies and their governing boards and executive leadership.
The findings underscore why WELL’s work matters:
- 26% of public water agencies surveyed had no women at all serving on either their governing board or C-suite leadership team.
- At the current pace of change, researchers estimate it could take 25 years for women and 75–100 years for Latinos and other people of color to reach equitable representation in California’s $37–$50 billion water industry.
- 56% of failing public water systems serve disadvantaged communities, and 67% serve majority communities of color.
These are more than demographic disparities. They are access disparities.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, invest in the leaders who will help shape a more representative and resilient water future for California.
Give to WELL. Grow Latino leadership. Shape California’s water future.
WELLos Spotlight:
Mario Enríquez, Councilmember, City of Stockton, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2025, received the 2026 Elected Officials award from the San Joaquin Pride Center. This honor reflects his dedication to inclusive leadership, community engagement, and public service.
Emma Sharif, Mayor of the City of Compton and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2020, partnered with the American Job Center to host a session for the Summer Youth Work Program. The event connected local youth and families with workforce training resources. American Job Centers provide a comprehensive range of employment services under one roof, helping individuals access job opportunities, skills training, and career guidance.
Maria “Mary” Elena Solorio, Councilmember for the City of San Fernando and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2025, will be welcomed as the new president of the Independent Cities Association (ICA) on September 24, 2026.
ICA is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1960, comprising nearly 40 member cities in Southern California. ICA focuses on public safety, education, infrastructure, intergovernmental relationships, and other major issues that transcend the boundaries of its member cities.
Ana Maria Quintana, Mayor, City of Bell, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2023, is the new president of the Los Angeles County Division, League of California Cities.
Cindy Wu, Boardmember at Mountain View School District, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2022, and Victor Griego, President and Founder of WELL, went on a walk along the Los Angeles River.
Eddie Valero, Supervisor, County of Tulare, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2022, wrote a story on the East Orosi Water Storage Project.
Click here to learn more about A Promise Finally Being Fulfilled: Clean Water for East Orosi.
Jorge Herrera Avila, Councilmember, City of San Gaberial and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2025, was appointed to serve as the president of the League of California Cities Resolutions Committee.
Renita Armstrong, Board Member of the Bellflower Unified School District and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2023, and Israel Fuentes, Board Member of the Colton Joint Unified School District and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2024, represented WELL at the California Latino School Boards Association Unity Conference in San Jose, California. Renita and Israel served as panelists for the “Beyond the Classroom: Why School Board Members Should Lead on Water Policy” panel.
Debra Lucero, former Butte County Supervisor, Director of Development at WELL, and WELL UnTapped Graduate, Class of 2022, moderated the panel. The discussion explored the vital role education leaders can play in advancing healthier, more resilient communities through partnerships, innovative campus improvements, and informed public policy.
Partners Spotlight
NALEO Educational Fund: On July 14-16, 2026, NALEO hosted their 43rd Annual Conference in Los Angeles, the birthplace of the organization, as it celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Click here to read more: NALEO 43rd Annual Conference
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD): LACSD was recognized with the 2026 Innovator of the Year Award at Isle Utilities’ National Technology Approval Group (TAG) Member Meetup and Trailblazer Awards program, held ahead of the American Water Works Association’s ACE26 Conference. Click here to read more: LACSD Isle Trail Blazer Award
California Water News
California Water News— Summer
Worried you may have missed some important recent water news? WELL has you covered! Here is a sample of noteworthy water news:
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Los Angeles Times: California and other states tout new Colorado River water-saving plan
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SF Gate: NASA satellite spots El Niño driving higher seas toward California
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CalMatters: California drops Lake Oroville mussel protections
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The New York Times: Lake Mead, the Nation’s Largest Reservoir, Is Smaller Than Ever – The New York Times