Led by Executive Director Jenn Bowles, the Water Leaders program brings together 20 or so participants in their early to mid-career from across California and various interest groups and professions. The program deepens knowledge on water, enhances individual leadership skills and prepares cohort members to take an active, cooperative approach to decision-making about water resource issues. Each cohort member is paired up with a mentor from a leading stakeholder group or who works as a policymaker.

The program began in 1997 and now boasts more than 400 graduates. We are particularly proud that several of our Water Leaders graduates have gone on to achieve top positions at the state Legislature, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and leading private companies involved in water. Check out our profiles under Where are They Now?

Apply for the 2025 Cohort! Get details and find the application form to apply by Dec. 5, 2024.

The program is named for William R. “Bill” Gianelli, who served as Assistant Secretary for the Army in charge of the Corps of Engineers from 1981 to 1984 and director of the California Department of Water Resources from 1967 to 1973 during major construction on the State Water Project. He began his career with DWR in 1946. He served as president of the Water Education Foundation during the 1980s. He passed away in 2020 in Monterey, California. Read his obituary here, written by the journalism team at the Water Education Foundation.

Watch a short video made during our 25th anniversary celebration of the Water Leaders program in 2022 to find out what alums say about it.

Participant Requirements

Designed as a program for working professionals in early- to mid-career, participation still involves a strong time commitment from both the cohort member and the employer.

During the year starting in January and ending in November or December, cohort members are required to: 

• Attend a special one-day orientation in January.
• Attend two water tours, one of which is mandatory for all Water Leaders. 
• Attend the Foundation’s annual Water 101 Workshop and annual Water Summit. 
• Spend a day “shadowing” a mentor who is a major water leader (from government, urban, agriculture, environmental organization, private businesses, or public interest group).
• Interview the mentor about an issue selected for the cohort project.
• Attend four work-group meetings throughout the year to develop policy recommendations with your cohort about the assigned topic, craft a written report and create a presentation.
• Attend the Foundation’s Board of Directors’ meeting at the end of the year (late November/early December) to present the cohort’s policy recommendations.