Staff Splash: Meet Dawn Jordan-Romero

As a Public Affairs Specialist, Dawn proudly serves as the face of the Mesa Water Education Center.

What is your role at Mesa Water and what does a typical day look like for you?

I am a Public Affairs Specialist at Mesa Water, focused on managing the wonderful MWEC. A typical day can include hosting school field trips and private tours and collaborating with partners and local community groups. My main goal is to educate our customers about our 100% local, reliable water.

How did you get into the water industry?

Funny enough, it all started as my mother’s idea. At the time, I was working at a private company, when she encouraged me to apply for an open office specialist position at a local water district. I went through the application and interview process and after three months of not hearing anything, the offer finally came through. Nearly 16 years later, I can’t see myself working in any other industry.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is connecting with people and sharing knowledge about water. I enjoy inspiring future generations by serving as an extension of the classroom, discussing the natural water cycle, our unique ancient-amber water and introducing students to future career possibilities within the water industry. Parents and teachers of fifth-grade students can schedule a free field trip to the MWEC by contacting us!

Is there anything behind-the-scenes about your work you wish more people knew about?

Absolutely. I think many people would be surprised by how much happens behind the scenes. Planning events, tours, and outreach efforts can take months of preparation, from selecting dates and developing agendas to designing layouts and coordinating logistics. Outreach itself is a dedicated process that involves calls, emails, and building relationships with schools and community groups to spark interest in visiting the Mesa Water Education Center. While much of this work isn’t always visible, it is incredibly rewarding to see everything come together, and we are proud to offer the Mesa Water Education Center as a welcoming space for events, workshops, field trips and tours.

What advice would you give someone interested in the water industry?

Explore it with an open mind. Many people are surprised when they learn what it truly takes to turn on a faucet or take a shower, the water industry is full of purpose-driven work that impacts communities every day. And it’s not just engineers and scientists who make it happen. Water districts rely on customer service, finance, facilities, operations, and of course public affairs. It truly takes a village, and there is space for many different career paths within this field.

Do you have a favorite water-themed movie or song?

I would have to say Moana. I’m drawn to stories where the “underdog” rises beyond expectations and discovers their own strength and purpose. To me, it reflects real life, especially for people who may feel limited by circumstances, like believing a successful career isn’t possible if college isn’t within reach. Being part of helping others see those possibilities in the water industry is something that truly inspires me.