The Southern California Water Coalition’s annual dinner on October 23, 2025, packed Newport Beach’s Balboa Bay Resort with 430 water industry leaders, featuring a headline-grabbing keynote by political strategist Mike Murphy. His rapid-fire political analysis dissected upcoming elections with trademark wit, exploring potential presidential candidates and party dynamics.
The event celebrated the organization’s commitment to bringing together diverse stakeholders, with Murphy’s speech serving as a highlight that connected water policy to broader political contexts. Sponsored by industry leaders like Gannett Fleming, Mesa Water District, and Butier, the dinner featured presentation of the prestigious Harriett Wieder and Kathy Cole Awards.
Miguel Luna Honored with Harriett Wieder Award for Water Leadership
The Southern California Water Coalition celebrated Miguel Luna’s remarkable contributions to water policy and community resilience, presenting him with the prestigious Harriett Wieder Award. Introduced by Metropolitan Water District Board Chair Adan Ortega, Luna was praised as a transformative leader who brings passion and purpose to water management. Ortega colorfully described Luna as “Che Guevara meets the water industry,” highlighting his commitment to speaking truth to power and advocating for communities often overlooked in water infrastructure discussions.
Luna’s personal journey deeply informs his water policy work, as he shared poignant memories of his father’s challenging childhood in a water-scarce environment. Growing up hearing stories of his father collecting sawdust to heat water and learning to read through sheer determination, Luna saw his role on the Metropolitan Water District as a profound responsibility to his family’s legacy. His mission has been to ensure water resiliency and affordability for communities that have historically struggled with water access, bringing a deeply personal commitment to his public service.
The award ceremony was a celebration of Luna’s dedication, with water industry leaders like Ron Gastelum reflecting on Luna’s early advocacy and principled approach. As the CEO of Urban Semillas and recently retired Metropolitan Water District director, Luna emphasized the importance of engagement, love, and knowledge in addressing water challenges. His parting message resonated with the audience: a call to action to work for both those we know and those we don’t, continuing to push for equitable and sustainable water solutions in Southern California.
Beth Olhasso Receives Prestigious Kathy Cole Award for Water Policy Leadership
Beth Olhasso, Vice President of West Coast Advisors, was honored with the Southern California Water Coalition’s Kathy Cole Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to water policy and legislative advocacy. Presented by Danielle Coats, the previous year’s winner, the award celebrated Olhasso’s pivotal role in complex water policy initiatives, including her instrumental work on the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) budget trailer bill and Proposition 1B. Her strategic insights and collaborative approach have made her a trusted advocate in the intricate world of water, agriculture, energy, and air quality policy.
Olhasso’s journey in water policy is deeply personal and rooted in mentorship. She fondly recalled how Kathy Cole herself took her under her wing when she first entered the water industry over 15 years ago, guiding her through the complexities of Sacramento’s legislative landscape. Now, Olhasso sees her mission as continuing Cole’s legacy: not just representing the Southern California water community, but actively mentoring and preparing the next generation of water policy leaders. Her commitment extends beyond individual achievements to building a collaborative and forward-thinking water policy ecosystem.
The Kathy Cole Award, symbolically presented with a whiskey decanter and two glasses engraved with the words “Whiskey’s for drinking, water’s for fighting,” represents more than just individual recognition. It embodies the spirit of integrity, strategic thinking, and collaborative leadership that defines the best of water policy advocacy. Olhasso’s colleagues praise her exceptional ability to bring together leaders across different sectors, tackle complex policy challenges, and drive meaningful progress. Her work demonstrates the critical importance of building consensus, understanding interconnected environmental challenges, and developing innovative solutions for California’s water future.