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In this episode of the Make Water Work & Catalyst Collab, Isaac sits down with Lily Lopez, Director of External Affairs and Sustainability at Walnut Valley Water District and founder of Latinas in Water, a growing professional community built to connect and empower Latina women across the water sector. Lily is also a co-host of Catalyst 2026, where Walnut Valley Water District joins as a presenting partner.
In this episode, we cover:
• How Lily went from a PR firm in downtown LA to a director-level role in water — without the traditional background
• Why curiosity is the one quality that separates communicators who thrive in the water sector
• The founding story of Latinas in Water — what gap she noticed, and why she built it with longevity in mind
• What Catalyst has meant to Lily's career, her team, and the communicators she brings with her each year
• How the 2026 theme of "showing up" connects to the larger challenge of earning a seat at the executive table
• What Lily hopes every attendee walks away from Catalyst 2026 feeling
Catalyst 2026 takes place August 31–September 3 in San Diego at the Westgate Hotel. Learn more and reserve your spot at catalysth2o.org.
🔗 Connect with Lily Lopez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-lopez-h2o/
🔗 Learn more about Catalyst 2026: catalysth2o.org
#MakeWaterWork #CatalystCollab #WaterIndustry #WaterCommunications #LatinaLeadership #WaterSector
