About Us

Maureen Thompson is the Executive Director of the Valley Water Collaborative. In this role, Maureen leads the organization’s mission to improve drinking water access for communities across the Central Valley impacted by groundwater contamination. She oversees VWC’s programs, partnerships, and long-term strategy, working closely with community members, regulatory agencies, and regional stakeholders to advance both interim and permanent drinking water solutions.

Prior to becoming Executive Director, Maureen served in key operational and program leadership roles at VWC, where she helped build and scale outreach, well testing, bottled water delivery, and long-term planning efforts across multiple basins. She brings a strong commitment to community-centered solutions, collaboration, and environmental justice, and is dedicated to ensuring that families relying on domestic wells have reliable pathways to healthy drinking water.

Jesús Nuñez is the Communications Coordinator for the Valley Water Collaborative (VWC). He is responsible for working with residents who apply to the program and supporting program operations. Bilingual and raised in the Central Valley, he is dedicated to learning how to best help the local population through his work for VWC and its mission.

While a local graduate student, Jesús heard about VWC and became its first Outreach Coordinator, taking on various tasks related to the program’s direct community outreach. He later became the Assistant Outreach Manager and helped the program garner over 1,000 applications by performing numerous outreach activities. Jesús holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of California, Stanislaus, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a sociology minor from Whitworth University.

Victor Manuel Zuniga Jr. is an Outreach Associate for the Valley Water Collaborative, serving communities across Eastern San Joaquin. He supports community engagement through event tabling, neighborhood canvassing, and flyer distribution in multiple cities, while also helping develop new strategies to connect more residents with VWC’s programs and services. As a bilingual communicator in English and Spanish, Victor helps ensure that information about safe and reliable drinking water reaches households that are often overlooked.

Victor is completing his B.A. in Public Health and Community Wellness at the University of the Pacific and is preparing to pursue a Master of Public Health in Community Health Education at California State University, Northridge. He is passionate about health equity, health education, and ensuring that Central Valley residents have access to clean, dependable drinking water.

Eva Dwyer is the Program Manager for the Valley Water Collaborative, where she oversees program operations, vendor partnerships, and customer relations to ensure efficient service delivery. With expertise in conservation, grant writing, and public engagement, she has successfully led environmental programs that connect communities with critical resources.

Previously, Eva coordinated the SLEWS Program at the Center for Land-Based Learning, managing large-scale habitat restoration projects and mentoring student volunteers. She also developed educational initiatives at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. A UC Davis graduate, Eva is dedicated to fostering sustainable solutions and community-driven environmental stewardship.

Ava Somera is an Outreach Associate for the Valley Water Collaborative, where she connects with rural and semi-rural residents in Yolo County to expand access to safe drinking water and strengthen community engagement. As part of VWC’s 2025–2026 Engagement Strategy, she leads digital outreach efforts across platforms and represents the organization at farmers’ markets, food distribution events, and local fairs.

A double major student in Urban Planning and Environmental Studies with a minor in Political Science at the University of Rochester, Ava brings an interdisciplinary lens to water equity, community development, and environmental sustainability. Her experience spans clean energy coalitions, nonprofit communications, and community design, with a focus on translating complex technical issues into clear, actionable messaging for diverse audiences.

Born and raised in Sacramento, Ava is proud to contribute to VWC’s mission and the systems-level thinking it demands. She is passionate about advancing equity, environmental resilience, and community well-being across California’s Central Valley.

Sara Bernal is the Community and Outreach Engagement Manager for the Valley Water Collaborative, where she develops strategies to enhance community involvement and amplify diverse voices. With over 15 years of experience in sustainable agriculture and outreach, she has led programs that bridge food systems and community empowerment.

Previously, Sara managed the West Sacramento Urban Farm Program, expanding it from a quarter-acre to seven acres and launching initiatives like a mobile farmers' market. At the California Department of Food and Agriculture, she oversaw the $12 million Urban Agriculture Grant Program. A Northeastern University graduate fluent in English and Spanish, Sara is dedicated to building resilient communities.

Luis Osorio is an Outreach Associate for the Valley Water Collaborative. As a bilingual Outreach Associate, Luis has connected to a broader range of people in the Central Valley community, further helping promote VWC’s mission and services through flyer distribution, event outreach, and direct contact with individuals.

Beyond his work at VWC, as a local graduate of Stan State, Luis is passionate about environmental and social justice, mainly in water policy. At the same time, he continues to participate in local community actions, such as setting up a community garden, food distribution, and mutual aid events.