Posted October, 2025

Thoughts on the work, the relationships, and what I’ve learned. 

When I stepped into the role of Ambassador as part of EPA’s Urban Waters Federal Partnership, I was drawn by the opportunity to be part of work already deeply rooted in the communities along this 55-mile corridor of the Salt and Gila Rivers. Rio Reimagined is a vision that belongs to the people of this region—tribal nations, cities, and community leaders who have long been stewarding this landscape. My role was never about creating something new, but about strengthening what was underway: connecting people, policy, and funding so that priorities could be resourced and sustained. 

Looking back on the past two years, I’m proud of the ways I’ve been able to help build resilience into RIO’s work. Chief among them has been making sure funding strategy is woven into the foundation, so planning and vision are always tied to a clear path forward. In the ongoing vision planning process, we are building funding considerations in from the very beginning—so the ideas we ultimately capture are not only aspirational, but actionable, with pathways for support even as planning continues to take shape. 

Another accomplishment has been supporting partners through uncertainty. Federal funding freezes and shifting timelines have been a reality these past months. Having served as a federal program officer myself, I know firsthand how challenging these moments can be—not only for communities waiting on resources, but also for agency staff working within shifting directives. In those times, I worked alongside federal, state, and local leaders to keep projects alive—sustaining planning and predevelopment work even when implementation dollars were delayed. Helping communities stay “funding ready” has been a central focus: aligning projects early with potential opportunities so that, when windows opened, partners could move quickly and confidently. 

This readiness was especially clear in a project I’ve found inspiring—the regional invasive species initiative with the USACE Silver Jackets Program. What began as a challenge—managing tamarisk (or salt cedar) and the growing risks of fire and flooding—has become a model for collaboration. Tribal ecological knowledge, federal science, and local priorities came together in a way that turned risk into opportunity. For me, this project illustrates the best of RIO: solutions grounded in resilience and respect for place, showing how regional challenges can be met through systems-level collaboration. 

Some of my proudest work has been less visible but no less important. I developed decision-ready briefs that distilled complex federal opportunities into clear, actionable guidance for communities—helping leaders quickly assess competitiveness and decide whether to pursue. I also moderated cross-sector convenings that created space for federal agencies, cities, counties, and tribes to see where their goals aligned. A big part of my work has been translating across these boundaries—helping partners see common ground and recognize how their priorities connect. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this role, it’s that relationships are everything. Trust takes time and patience, and I’ve been reminded again and again that real progress happens when people continue to show up for each other. The relationships I’ve built—across communities, governments, and agencies—are what have made this work most rewarding. They’re not just professional connections; they’re the reason I believe the RIO vision will have staying power, and the part I will carry with me long after my term as Ambassador concludes. 

If there is a thread running through my experience, it is my belief that funding is a tool, not a goal. Grants and funding programs matter, but only if they support what communities identify as priorities. That’s why I’ve emphasized staying the course—one that includes trust, readiness, and alignment. This belief system has strengthened my work and, I hope, benefitted the partnership by keeping RIO’s vision anchored in community priorities. 

As I look forward, I see Rio Reimagined poised to become a national model for place-based investment anchored in those community priorities—particularly one that other designated Urban Waters locations can draw from. The next step is about solidifying the planning process, moving into implementation, and ultimately establishing governance—building the connective tissue that can hold together governments, tribes, agencies, and community organizations for the long term. If funding continues to align with community priorities, the RIO corridor has the potential to demonstrate how large-scale investment can happen in a way that honors those priorities, with inclusivity and vision. 

For me personally, this chapter is closing, but the work continues. I will carry forward the lessons of these past two years—the power of trust, the importance of readiness, and the value of staying grounded in uncertain times. Most of all, I carry the conviction that impactful work leaves behind conditions for lasting, community-led success. That is what Rio Reimagined has been about for me, and it’s the spirit I will continue to bring into the work ahead. 

And in closing, I just want to say a big “thank you” to everyone who welcomed me, shared their wisdom, and gave me the context I needed to contribute in a meaningful way. The generosity of time, perspective, and trust I’ve experienced in this role is what has made the work not only possible, but deeply rewarding.