MWD Chief DEI Officer Liji Thomas on Women and Water - Expanding Pathways, Preventing Harassment and Discrimination, and Setting A New Standard for the Water Industry

In February 2021, the LA Times broke the first of a series of stories from women who had experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, and then retaliation while completing the Operator Apprentice program at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California - the largest water district in the US. These stories led to the retirement of the MWD director and appointment of Adel Hagekhalil, as well as California State Audit of the agency finding systemic racism, sexism, and retaliation. One of Adel's first acts was to bring on Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer Liji Thomas, who speaks with us in this exclusive interview. Liji talks with us about MWD's efforts to work with the women featured in the article and others to set a new standard for water agencies and utilities with respect to DEI.

We also explore issues that can emerge when universities start new educational initiatives that graduate many new graduates from underrepresented groups - such as an initiative at California's oldest Operator Training program, now housed at Cuyamaca College in San Diego County, to recruit and train more women - if the universities don't work with potential employers to ensure they are ready for an influx of women or people of color.