Ashlee Casey, P.E. is the Executive Director of the Water Forum, where she leads the organization’s strategic direction, operations, and staff in advancing collaborative solutions for the region’s water future. Since assuming the role in 2025, she has overseen the successful completion and adoption of the updated Water Forum 2050 Agreement, guiding a complex, multi-year consensus-based process among environmental organizations, water providers, business leaders, and public agencies. She is committed to building partnerships that protect the Lower American River, ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply for the Sacramento region, and prepare the region to meet the growing challenges of climate change through resilient, forward-looking water management.
Ashlee is a licensed civil engineer with nearly 20 years of experience in water resources planning, policy, and environmental management. Before becoming Executive Director, she served as the Water Forum’s Senior Engineer, leading technical analyses and negotiations related to river flows, regional water supply reliability, and climate resilience. Prior to joining the Water Forum, she spent eight years as a water resources engineering consultant, helping public agencies throughout California develop innovative solutions to complex water management challenges. Ashlee holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering and began her career in international water supply planning as a Peace Corps Volunteer and UNICEF Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Liaison in Suriname. She is passionate about collaborative leadership and believes that lasting solutions are built through science, trust, and partnership.