The Water Forum is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashlee Casey, PE, as its new Executive Director.
With over a decade of experience addressing California’s most pressing water resource challenges, Casey brings a strong foundation in engineering, collaborative problem-solving, and strategic planning to her new leadership role.
Casey originally joined the Water Forum in 2021 as a water resources engineer, where she focused on regional surface and groundwater reliability, managed technical support for the Water Forum’s Flow Management Standard on the Lower American River, and contributed to projects addressing long-term sustainability.
“Throughout her time with the Water Forum, Ashlee has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing collaborative water management solutions,” said Pravani Vandeyar, Director of the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities, which administers the Water Forum. “Her leadership style reflects the Water Forum’s values—bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to find common ground on complex water and environmental issues.”
Before joining the Water Forum, Casey worked on regional and statewide efforts spanning sustainable groundwater management, flood infrastructure feasibility, urban and agricultural planning, and drought contingency strategy. She has led technical analyses, facilitated stakeholder engagement processes, and supported public agency planning efforts across California.
“It’s an honor to serve an organization that brings people together to solve complex water challenges with respect, science, and shared purpose,” Casey said. “I look forward to supporting our members and partners as we move into this next chapter.”
Casey holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Portland and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Michigan Technological University. She served in the Peace Corps in Suriname from 2009 to 2011 and is an alumna of the 2018 Water Leaders program of the Water Education Foundation.
Water Forum 2050
As Executive Director, Casey is guiding the finalization of the Water Forum 2050 Agreement and, once adopted, will lead its implementation. This new long-term agreement builds on the success of the original Water Forum Agreement, signed in 2000, and reflects more than two years of collaboration among over 40 stakeholder organizations—including water providers, environmental groups, business organizations, and local governments.
Water Forum 2050 provides a comprehensive roadmap to address emerging and intensifying threats to the Sacramento region’s water future—particularly those driven by climate change. The lower American River, a vital drinking water source for nearly 2 million people and critical habitat for native fish, is under increasing pressure from rising temperatures, reduced snowpack, changing runoff patterns, and growing demand. In response, Water Forum 2050 outlines a regional strategy to adapt to these challenges while protecting environmental and community interests.
In her role, Casey will oversee implementation of this agreement, manage staff and consultants, shape regional water policy discussions, direct habitat and groundwater planning initiatives, and maintain public support for the Water Forum’s coequal objectives. She also serves as the primary liaison to local, state, and federal officials on water supply reliability, environmental health, and related policy issues.