Coro Northern California Welcomes New Water Solutions Network Managing Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 4, 2021
Contact: Genanne Walsh, Director of Communications
Coro Northern California
415.986.0521 ext. 711
gwalsh@coronorcal.org
Coro Northern California Welcomes New Water Solutions Network Managing Director
Debbie Franco, Water Solutions Network Managing Director
San Francisco, CA: Coro Northern California today announced that Debbie Franco is the inaugural Managing Director of the Water Solutions Network (WSN) program. The Water Solutions Network is a diverse, cross-sector collaboration of statewide leaders focused on the future of water management in California.
Franco joins the Water Solutions Network after almost ten years in the California Governor’s Office, most recently as the Senior Advisor for Water and Rural Affairs. She brings 15 years of experience in the water sector, including collaborating on the Human Right to Water, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and drought response. Franco got her start in the water sector at the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, where she ultimately served as the Policy Director. As Managing Director of the Water Solutions Network, she will coordinate and lead collaboration among network participants, the Advisory Council, and WSN partners to expand the network and its impact.
“I am thrilled to join the Water Solutions Network and Coro Northern California,” Franco said. “The climate is changing faster than we are, and water challenges will deliver some of the most devastating consequences. The Water Solutions Network is expanding and diversifying leadership while building a network of problem solvers with the capacity to collaborate for innovative solutions to pressing challenges.”
Coro Northern California launched the Water Solutions Network in 2017, in partnership with DIG IN, Water Education for Latino Leaders, and Celeste Cantú Consulting, with seed funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. The initiative’s goal is to build a network of diverse water leaders and provide a hub for collaboration and action across California. Cohort participants build relationships while developing leadership and collaboration skills and working on group projects related to urgent water issues. With more than 73 network members, the program will welcome its fourth cohort in April, selected from a highly competitive applicant pool.
“Debbie Franco is an outstanding leader who will bring significant expertise, talents, and passion to the growth of the Water Solutions Network,” says Coro CEO Laney Whitcanack. “Debbie understands the vital importance of network building as foundational to creating much-needed change in the water field, and the depth of her experience will strengthen an already thriving program. We’re delighted to welcome her to the team, and look forward to watching the Water Solutions Network grow its impact under her leadership.”
About Coro
Coro Northern California is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization focused on redefining leadership. Coro’s mission is to train, support, and connect leaders to foster a thriving democracy and tackle society’s biggest challenges together. Many Coro alumni dedicate their lives to public service. Notable Coro graduates include leaders across sectors, including Hon. Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senate; Hon. Alex Padilla, U.S. Senate; Hon. Kevin Faulconer, Mayor, City of San Diego; and Hon. Malia Cohen, Chair of the California State Board of Equalization.
