Water Education Foundation Welcomes Two New Members to its Board of Directors, Expands Colorado River Basin Representation
The Water Education
Foundation Board of Directors elected two new members,
expanding its Colorado River Basin representation and adding an
environmental representative.
The board represents a diverse array of Western water interests and governs the impartial nonprofit based in Sacramento. Led by President Alfred Smith, an attorney at Nossaman LLP, the Board also includes leaders such as Brenda Burman, general manager of the Central Arizona Project and former Reclamation Commissioner, and Gene Shawcroft, general manager/CEO of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District.
The new members joining the board in 2026 are:
- Andy Mueller, an attorney who serves as the general manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District based in Glenwood Springs, Colo.
- Camila Bautista, the Salton Sea and desert program manager with Audubon California who represents the 2025 Water Leaders cohort on the Board for a three-year term.
In addition, Andrea Abergel, manager of water policy for the California Municipal Utilities Association who joined the board in 2023 for a three-year term as a member of the 2022 Water Leaders cohort, was voted in as a full board member.
The volunteer board is made up of
more than 30 members representing a broad cross-section of
water supply, business, environmental, agricultural and
public interest organizations. The Foundation is led day-to-day
by Executive Director Jenn
Bowles, who oversees a team of teachers,
journalists and nonprofit professionals.
Founded in 1977, the Foundation provides water news, publications, maps, workshops and tours to deepen public understanding of water issues in California and across the Colorado River Basin. The Foundation also serves as the California coordinator of Project WET, an international K-12 program that helps teachers learn how to bring lessons on water science into the classroom.
The Board of Directors voted to approve the new members at its Dec. 8, 2025 meeting. Their appointments took effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
2026 Tours & Events
Just a reminder that seating for our engaging programs is limited and fills up quickly, so don’t miss out on these opportunities:
Water 101 Workshop | March 26 | Register here!
Central Valley Tour | April 22-24 | Register here!
Open House & Reception | May 7 | RSVP here!
Bay-Delta Tour | May 20-22 | Enter the ticket lottery here!
Water Summit | Oct. 29 | Save the date, registration opens soon!
