The Association of Women in Water, Energy, and Environment (AWWEE) is delighted to partner with the Women in Water-Inland Empire Chapter for this special event in honor of Women’s Equality Day.
Path to Power is a popular event series hosted by AWWEE for many years to showcase the experience of women who have achieved professional success in our fields. These events provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from women we admire about their professional journeys.
Our Guest Speakers
Darcy M. Burke was elected to the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District in 2018, serving Division One. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Watermark Associates, a comprehensive business consulting firm. Prior to leading Watermark, she was the Director of Public Affairs for the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), former Executive Director for The Center for Water Education, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s non-profit, and former Executive Director California Nevada Section, American Water Works Association (CA-NV-AWWA). She is a past member of the California Department of Public Health Services Title 22 Technical Advisory Committee and founder of the (CA-NV-AWWA) Water College. She has spent her career in the non-profit and public service sectors, focusing on strategic planning, partnership development, operation efficiencies, communications, and legislative regulatory affairs. Ms. Burke received her bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Mary’s University, Los Angeles, in International Economics & Marketing as well as her master’s in business administration with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. She completed her field study in China in Energy and Utility Management. Ms. Burke is a member of the Canyon Lake Junior Women’s Club, Temecula Noon Rotary Club, American Water Works Association, and is the Past President of Mount St. Mary’s University MBA Alumni Professionals. Ms. Burke and her daughter, Marissa, have made Canyon Lake their home since 1999.
Director Burke has served on several committees and as District representative for multiple organizations, including Water Planning Committee, WMWD Joint Committee, Meeks and Daley Water Co., Canyon Lake City Council, Canyon Lake POA, Canyon Lake Roundtable, Urban Water Institute, and several others.
She has served as Board Treasurer in 2019 and 2020 and Vice President in 2021.
Jasmin Hall serves as President of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency Board of Directors where she represents Division 4, the City of Fontana and portions of the Cities of Rialto and Bloomington. Ms. Hall was appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2013, elected in November 2014, and re-elected in November 2018. Ms. Hall is the Agency’s representative to the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) Commission where she currently serves as Chair, the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) where she serves as Vice President, Inland Empire Regional Composting Authority, Association of San Bernardino County Special Districts, Regional Sewerage Program Policy Committee, and Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA). Ms. Hall also serves as President on the Chino Basin Regional Financing Authority and as an alternate for the Chino Basin Water Bank.
She has extensive experience in community leadership by serving as the Fontana Planning Commission Secretary and serving as Chairwoman for the Fontana Parks and Recreation Commission. Ms. Hall initiated the process that earned Inland Empire Utilities Agency the Special District Leadership Foundation’s District Transparency Certificate of Excellence.
She received a Recognition in Special District Governance certificate, which is designed to honor special district Board members and trustees that demonstrate their commitment to continuing education and special districts governance. The recognition covers the essentials of good governance, as well as service-specific education.
Ms. Hall holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management from National University, San Diego, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from University of Phoenix, San Diego, and a Project Management Certification from the University of California, Irvine.
Joone Lopez is the General Manager of the Moulton Niguel Water District, which provides water, wastewater, and recycled water services to six cities in South Orange County. Before joining Moulton Niguel, she served as the General Manager of Calaveras County Water District located in Northern California. Joone’s prior experience includes working for Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company as its Assistant General Manager and serving as the Deputy General Manager of Central Basin Municipal Water District.
Joone is a Board Member for California WateReuse Association, California Water Data Consortium, Southern California Water Coalition, South Orange County Wastewater Authority, and WaterNow Alliance. Additionally, she serves on the Water Environment Federation’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, UC Irvine Water Leadership Board, The Smart Water Networks Forum Utility Advisory Group, BAYWORK Advisory Committee for its Digital Worker Initiative, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People California/Hawaii Executive Committee, The Korean American Coalition Board of Directors, and the California State University, Fullerton Center for Real Estate Advisory Board. She’s also a founding member of the California Data Collaborative, a non-profit representing 21 million Californians, focused on leveraging data and technology to enhance statewide water management policies.
In her personal time, Joone serves as a Board Member for Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Orange County & Inland Empire Chapter, Tilly’s Life Center, and United Way Orange County Leadership Council to End Homelessness.
Preceding her career in the water industry, Joone was a Police Officer for the City of Pasadena, where she received the Silver Medal of Courage for valor under fire. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University of Northridge and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from University of California San Diego.
About Women in Water - Inland Empire
A dynamic collaboration of professional women dedicated to the stewardship of water within the Inland Empire communities through leadership, growth, and innovation.
Registration
Space is limited to 200 participants. Registration is free but required to receive the link to join the event.