WELL's 11th Annual Statewide Conference will take place on Friday, March 31 - Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, CA.
Water is one of the top public policy issues affecting our state. Are you involved in the water discussion? Join us to learn more about this critical issue and help support your residents and local economy as the state faces the fourth year of drought.
Conference Overview:
March 31: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Evening Reception
Friday Evening Reception Speaker: Grace F. Napolitano, Congresswoman, CA D-31
April 1: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm - Conference
Keynote Speaker: Dolores Huerta, President and Founder, Dolores Huerta Foundation
Lunchtime Speaker: Barbara Romero, Director and General Manager, LA City Sanitation & Environment
MC: Dr. Sabrina Bow, President, Azusa Unified School District, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
MC: Anna Velazquez, Mayor, City of Soledad, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panel 1: What are the impacts of a hotter, more extreme climate in California's various regions?
Description: Panelists will discuss the water impacts we are experiencing statewide and regionally. Questions to ask include: How are residents being impacted in rural and urban areas? What are the lasting impacts of aridification on our water resources? What are the challenges to California’s water portfolio?
Moderator: Elsa Mejia, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Madera, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panelists:
Kristina Dahl, Principle Climate Scientist for the Climate & Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
Tony Estremera, Director, Santa Clara Valley Water District, and Boardmember, WELL
Gokce Sencan, Research Associate, Public Policy Institute of California, Water Policy Center
Panel 2: What changes do water suppliers need to make in order to adapt to and combat the impacts of a hotter and drier climate?
Description: Panelists will discuss the impacts on California’s water infrastructure due to a changing climate and the solutions that must be implemented to ensure our water resources meet demand. Questions to ask include: Who are the regional water suppliers, and who is responsible for managing these water supplies? What natural and built infrastructure makeup California’s water portfolio, and what infrastructure changes should we expect in the future? What should our infrastructure look like in 5 to 10 years, and how do we fund it?
Moderator: Jazmin Lopez Leos, Vice President, Valley County Water District and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panelists:
Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager – Water System, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Joone Kim Lopez, General Manager, Moulton Niguel Water District, and Boardmember, WELL
Zoe Rodriguez Del Rey, Water Resources Manager, Coachella Valley Water District
Panel 3: What strategies can be implemented to mitigate the impacts of California's water challenges on our economies, communities, and environment?
Description: Panelists will share strategies that have been implemented in different cities, counties, and states to proactively combat the impact of a drier climate and the consequences of not implementing these solutions earlier. Questions to ask include: What types of policies or programs have been implemented as best practices outside of California? What changes must be made at the state, local, and residential levels in order to see the greatest benefit? How can local elected officials work with water suppliers to help implement these solutions?
Moderator: Brenda Olmos, Councilmember, City of Paramount, and UnTapped Fellowship Fellow, Class of 2023
Panelists:
Adekunle Ojo, Water Resources Manager, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
Tracy Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, Heal the Bay, and Boardmember, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Joe Yun, Executive Officer, California Water Commission
Need to book a hotel room at the Airtel Plaza?
To make a reservation click here to book a hotel room at our group's discounted rates directly on the website.
You can also call the hotel at 1-800-2-AIRTEL or e-mail [email protected] and ask for the Latino’s For Water Group Rate or Group code: L033123.
For any questions, please contact Stephanie Nava-Angeles at [email protected].
