The Winter 2025 UnTapped Cohort consists of 11 elected officials from throughout the state of California. The fellows are traveling to different areas in California to learn about regional water challenges and best practices and to develop the leadership and interpersonal skills necessary to make a lasting impact on California’s water policy.
Session 1: Coachella
The UnTapped Fellowship Program launched its first session in the Coachella Valley, where twelve fellows began their journey to understand California’s water policy and address the distinct water challenges their communities face. This inaugural session introduced the WELL Method of Inquiry, providing fellows with the skills to collect critical information for informed decision-making in water policy and management. Participants also explored various sites in the Coachella Valley, engaging with guest speakers and local residents to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s water issues and historical context.
Guest interviewees included Cástulo Estrada, Board Member of WELL and Vice President of Coachella Valley Water District; Stephnie Virgen, Councilmember of the City of Coachella, Legislative Analyst for Supervisor Perez Fourth District County of Riverside, and UnTapped 2024 Graduate; local residents from a Polanco Park (mobile home community) who live without clean and affordable water; and Zoe Rodriguez del Rey, Water Resources Manager at Coachella Valley Water District and WELL Advisory Boardmember These discussions provided insights into the Salton Sea, the Colorado River, the history of water, hydrology, and water finance.
The session included on-site tours of the Salton Sea, led by Patrick O’Dowd, Executive Director of the Salton Sea Authority, as well as visits to the Coachella Branch of the American Canal and the Polanco Parks. Fellows also benefited from an insightful lesson on California water history and hydrology, delivered by Dr. Samuel Sandoval-Solis, WELL Curriculum Advisor.
As is tradition, the session concluded with a unifying moment where the Fellows sang “De Colores.” A special thank you to Cástulo Estrada and the City of Coachella for hosting a dinner for the Fellows on the first night.
Session 2: San Diego
From Friday, February 7, to Saturday, February 8, 2025, the UnTapped Fellowship Winter Class of 2025 convened in the San Diego region for an immersive session focused on cross-border collaboration and environmental challenges.
The session began with a presentation by Jose Martinez, General Manager of Otay Water District, on Proposition 218, which governs how local agencies set water rates to ensure transparency and fairness. Following this, fellows toured the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, led by Empress Holliday, to explore transboundary water issues and the ecological significance of the estuary. The group then interviewed Dr. Gabriela Muñoz Melendez, who provided insights into Tijuana’s community-led efforts to address water contamination and environmental justice concerns.
On day two, fellows engaged in intensive training on Public Narrative, facilitated by Jake Waman and Miya Cain, with support from Executive Director Paul Hernandez. Public Narrative, a framework developed by Marshall Ganz of Harvard Kennedy School, helps leaders inspire action through storytelling. By practicing the Story of Self, Story of Us, and Story of Now, fellows refined their public speaking skills and learned how to mobilize others around shared values, strengthening their ability to advocate for water policy solutions.
This session equipped fellows with essential tools for navigating the intersection of water policy, community engagement, and environmental justice, preparing them to lead meaningful change in their regions.
Session 3: Tehachapi
The WELL UnTapped Fellowship Winter Class of 2025 held its third session in Tehachapi, California, this past weekend, focusing on two key topics: Water Conveyance Systems and Whose Water Is It?
The cohort’s discussions with Jordi Vasquez, an Environmental Scientist at the California Department of Water Resources, deepened their understanding of the state’s conveyance systems and the policies that govern them. Erick Orellana, Senior Policy Advocate at the Community Water Center, provided insight into the legal complexities of water rights and their impact on disadvantaged communities. Melissa Bergen, Community Development Specialist at Self-Help Enterprises, highlighted the challenges of ensuring equitable water access.
The cohort also participated in the WELL Groundwater Game, an interactive simulation that highlights the complexities of groundwater management. By assuming roles like farmers and water agencies, participants navigated real-world challenges, reinforcing the importance of sustainable practices and collaboration under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
Participants toured the Panorama Vista Preserve to explore the Kern River’s ecosystem and understand the impact of water management on local habitats and wildlife. They also visited the Cesar Chavez National Monument to reflect on Chavez’s legacy as a champion for farmworkers’ rights. The visit highlighted how his leadership and activism transformed the labor movement and inspired ongoing social justice efforts in California.
Session 4: Richmond
The WELL UnTapped Fellowship Winter Class of 2025 spent this past weekend in Richmond, California, diving into two key topics: Water Storage and Portfolio of Water Management.
The cohort heard from Thomas Mumbley, Former Assistant Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, who shared valuable insights on water quality regulations and regional challenges and Jennifer Clary, California Director at Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund, discussed how climate change is reshaping California’s traditional water storage systems and emphasized the importance of optimizing existing infrastructure.
Fellows toured the West County Wastewater (WCW), where they saw how wastewater recycling supports water supply resilience and reduces demand on limited resources. They also visited the WCW’s Northshore Line Adaptation Project to learn about infrastructure strategies to respond to sea-level rise. A stop at the Bay-Delta Model provided a hands-on look at how water moves through one of the state’s most complex and critical ecosystems, reinforcing the need for thoughtful, integrated water management. WELL’s President and Founder, Victor Greigo, also led a training on relational meetings, emphasizing how one-on-one conversations grounded in personal stories and shared values can build trust, strengthen leadership, and create deeper connections.
Special thanks to WELLos (Graduates of the WELL UnTapped Fellowship Program) Eduardo Martinez, Mayor of the City of Richmond and Graduate of WELL UnTapped Class of 2018 and Cheryl Suddath, Director at the West County Wastewater and Graduate of WELL UnTapped Class of 2021 for hosting the cohort and supporting a weekend full of learning and connection.
Session 5: Sacramento
WELL hosted the fifth and final UnTapped Fellowship session for the Winter Class of 2025 in Sacramento, CA. The cohort gathered at the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) office to dive into key issues shaping the future of California’s water systems. Fellows participated in interviews with Dr. Maureen Martin, Manager of Science and Regulatory Strategy at Metropolitan Water District, and Anecita Agustinez, Executive Manager of Tribal Affairs at the California Department of Water Resources, to learn about tribal water perspectives and the political challenges surrounding major infrastructure projects like the Delta Conveyance. The day concluded with a game of Water Jeopardy and a graduation dinner which included friends of WELL, such as, Cindy Tuck, Deputy Executive Director, Association of California Water Agencies; Kevin McCusker, California Water Service; Sarah Musiker, External Affairs and Partnerships, California Water Association, Lowery, Executive Director, California African
American Water Education Foundation; Marc Grossman, Spokesperson, Cesar Chavez
Foundation to celebrate the WELLos’ achievements.
The learning objectives for this session centered on understanding the river’s natural role in regional water conveyance to the Central Valley and Southern California, the ecological significance of the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta(Delta), the current and future impacts of climate change, earthquakes, and the proposed tunnel project. Fellows also examined the political landscape influencing the Delta’s future.
On Day 2, the cohort brought these objectives to life through a series of site visits. At the UC Davis Fish Conservation and Culture Laboratory, they learned firsthand about efforts to conserve endangered species like the Delta Smelt. At Big Break Regional Shoreline, they studied how water moves through the Delta and the environmental challenges it faces. In the Locke Historic District, they reflected on the historical role of Chinese immigrants role in shaping the Delta’s. Finally, in the town of Hood, fellows engaged in a discussion with a resident about the Delta Conveyance Project and its implications for the future in their town.
