Latinas in Water: A place for community, leadership, visibility

When Lily Lopez began attending water‑sector conferences early in her career, she noticed something almost immediately: Latino professionals — especially Latina women — were present in the work, but without a space of their own.

“Especially in southern California, I saw so many Latinos contributing to the water industry in meaningful ways” said Lopez, director of external affairs and sustainability at Walnut Valley Water District outside of Los Angeles. “I kept asking myself, “Where is the space for us to gather, to see ourselves reflected, and to build community with intention?”

Now, thanks to Lopez, there is such a place: It’s called Latinas in Water, a professional community to connect, uplift, and empower Latinas across the water sector. What began as a question has evolved into a growing movement rooted in mentorship, leadership development, cultural pride, and service — creating not just camaraderie, but purpose-driven connection.

“Oftentimes I find myself in leadership spaces where I’m the only Latina in the room, and I can’t help but ask, ‘Why is that the case when such a significant portion of our state is Latino?’” said Dani Morgutia, senior program manager at the California Water Efficiency Partnership and a planning committee member for Latinas in Water. “That representation gap reflects a broader disconnect in lived experience and cultural perspective — one that ultimately limits how effectively we can serve our communities.”

Latinas in Water aims to be that source of mentorship and pride — a network of champions who celebrate Latina contributions to the water sector, cheer each other on to new roles and career advancement, and give back to their community.

“I know how somebody can really pick you up and show you different opportunities that can change your career trajectory in water. I look back and I see those champions that really made a difference for me,” said Jenyffer Vasquez, principal water resources specialist at Calleguas Municipal Water District in southern California and also a planning committee member for Latinas in Water.

“That’s the element that really inspired me about [Latinas in Water]. Even though we might all be in different departments, what is your ultimate goal and how, as a group, can we help you get there? Because we need that solid community behind us,” she said.

Latinas in Water hosted its first in-person event in southern California this week with networking, a guest speaker, and a community project — creating assembly kits for students transitioning from foster care into a local college program. A virtual leadership panel planned for August on National Latina Day will have broader reach, with interest already coming from Texas and the Rocky Mountain Section.

“Being able to voice your concerns with other women in the community is so helpful,” Morgutia said. “I had mentors, Latina women, along the way who have helped me — just by being that shoulder or that sounding board — to think bigger beyond my current role. If it wasn’t for these women who accepted my request for help, I don’t know if I would have been able to jump through all these hoops to be where I am today.”

Lopez, Vasquez, and Morgutia all came to know each other through the Transformative Water Leadership Academy, AWWA’s 10-month program for emerging leaders. “I was thinking the other day that this [launching Latinas in Water] should have been my capstone project,” Lopez said with a laugh. The trio envisions future Latinas in Water events with national conferences, mentorship programs, career‑fair outreach, leadership development, service projects, and even a Latina‑owned wellness fair welcoming family and friends.

TWLA not only kindled the relationships that launched the group, Lopez said; it also provided her with the framework and perspective to think through the long-term sustainability of the group.

“I tend to be the type of person who jumps into something, she said, “but with this, I wanted to be intentional because I’m thinking about longevity. This isn’t just about gathering today — it’s about building something that will outlast us.”

To learn more about or join Latinas in Water, connect on LinkedIn or Instagram.