Our Mission
To achieve high impact, widespread adoption of sustainable water solutions in communities compatible with a healthy environment for the future.
Our Focus
Conflicts over water, and how and where to use it, are growing nationwide. The West is facing more frequent and severe drought, increased fire risk, less rain and snowpack, and more pressure on the natural systems that generate water supply. Transformation in our water use is inevitable, but we can achieve water security, and ecological integrity, by investing in and growing sustainable approaches, rather than falling into crisis-driven decision making.
WaterNow Alliance brings together water leaders from across the West with an interest in sustainability and resilience to provide a forum for exchange, access to resources, and a clear path to action. We work with businesses, community leaders, and water and finance experts to advance innovation, break down barriers, and catalyze change.
WaterNow Alliance Staff
Cynthia Koehler, Executive Director & Co-Founder
Cynthia is an environmental attorney and water policy expert with 20 years of experience working on federal and state water issues and legislation. She was previously the Environmental Defense Fund’s Legislative Director for California water issues, and the Legal Director for Save San Francisco Bay.
Board Member, Marin Municipal Water District (serving 4th term)
Water Education Foundation Board; Sierra Nevada Research Institute Directors’ Council
Various awards for leadership on water issues, including the Hero of the Bay Award
Audrey Finci, Director of Business Strategies & Co-Founder
Audrey is a seasoned business executive who has served both in senior leadership positions at several consumer product companies and as a management consultant specializing in strategy development and strategic organization design.
Executive positions at Levi Strauss & Company, Gap, Inc., The Walt Disney Company
Consulting clients including Airbnb, Stella & Dot, John Hardy, American Eagle Outfitters, Hewlett-Packard
Various non-profit organization boards, including the Briarcliff Improvement Association (past president)
Walt Wadlow, Director of Utility Relations
Drawing on over 30 years of water utility and California water policy experience, Walt assists in outreach to local, state, and federal government entities in support of the WaterNow Alliance and its projects.
Broad water utility engineering and management experience at the wholesale and retail levels
General Manager, Alameda County Water District; Assistant General Manager, Santa Clara Valley Water District; Board member, California Urban Water Agencies; Past president California State Water Contractors
Appointed to second term City of Santa Cruz Water Commission
Leah Russin, Senior Policy Advisor
Leah is a veteran water lawyer and policy analyst with significant Washington, DC experience. She has worked on many aspects of western water, specializing in federal and state water programs.
Former legislative counsel for US Senator Dianne Feinstein on environmental issues, including water and drought
Former staff attorney at Stanford Mills Legal Clinic, Environmental Law
Advises non profits on water policy
Nashelley Kaplan-Dailey, Senior Project Manager
Nashelley graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2013 where she focused on Environmental and Water Law. She is the program lead for the Alliance’s outdoor water efficiency project work.
Water Leaders Class of 2015, Water Education Foundation
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper certification, September 2015
CALI Award, University of San Diego School of Law, Water Law, Fall 2012
Tia Lebherz, Communications & Outreach Manager
Tia comes to WaterNow Alliance with a background in coalition building, facilitation and campaign strategy having previously worked on local, state and federal policy focused on sustainable food, water, and energy issues. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Led successful local initiatives for safe food and clean water in Michigan and California
Managed statewide outreach to farmers, businesses and elected officials on a range of food and water policy issues
Completed Green Corps Field School, a highly competitive training program
