Celeste Cantu is appointed to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. Previously, Celeste led the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) and led the crest-to-coast, corner-to-corner Integrated Regional Watershed Management Plan called One Water One Watershed. She also served as the executive director for the California State Water Resources Control Board. During the Clinton administration, Celeste served as the USDA rural development state director for California.  In addition to the Water Foundation Board, Celeste Cantú serves on many boards related to water policy, agriculture and natural resources.

“Having worked in the public sector on the federal, state, and local level, I was frustrated by limitations particularly in leading change. The Water Foundation is the change agent empowering those in the field to improve systems and processes to protect water quality, people’s lives, and the environment.”