Susana De Anda

Community Water Center, Co-Founder

Susana De Anda is Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Community Water Center, a nonprofit environmental justice organization based in California’s San Joaquin Valley, whose mission is to act as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy. Susana is a seasoned community organizer and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including: White House Champion of Change for Climate Equity (2016); Mark Dubois Award from Friends of the River (2014); “150 Fearless Women in the World” by Newsweek Magazine (2012); “Women on Top – Top Activist” by Marie Claire magazine (2012); AOL sponsored PBS three-part series titled, Makers: Women Who Have Shaped America (2012); and “Las Fabulosas” and “Inspiring Latinas” by Powerful Latinas (2011); and the 2009 Petra Foundation Fellowship award. In addition, Jill Iscol’s book, Hearts on Fire, features a chapter on Susana De Anda and CWC (2011).

Susana’s experience includes planning and organizing positions at the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment; the County of Merced Planning Department; the Santa Barbara County Water Agency; and the Santa Barbara non-profit Community Environmental Council. Susana earned a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara while completing a double major in Environmental Studies and Geography. Susana served for the past few years on the Community Funding Board of the Grassroots Fund through the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment and the Tulare County Water Commission, and now serves on the Board of Directors of the Tulare County United Way.