Juliet Christian-Smith

About Juliet Christian-Smith

As a leader with deep technical grounding, I’ve built programs from scratch, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and brought together unlikely partners. My path has spanned science, policy, philanthropy, and government, but the through line is clear: I build programs, partnerships, and organizations that endure because they are innovative, inclusive, and science-based. I recently led the Union of Concerned Scientists\' Western States Program. My focus on creating robust, data-driven strategies has been pivotal in driving state and federal initiatives for clean drinking water and climate resilience.Before that, I helped build and lead the Water Foundation\'s \"Healthy Communities\" program, requiring grant management and campaign strategy skills, as well as a commitment to supporting powerful coalitions.

Experience

1. Deputy Director, Water Rights

   State Water Resources Control Board

   Sep 2025 — Present

Education

• Smith College

  Bachelor's degree, Biology

• University of California, Berkeley

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

Skills

• Data Analysis
• Gis
• Grant Writing
• Environmental Science
• Geographic Information Systems (Gis)
• Water Quality
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Water Resource Management
• Field Work
• Sustainable Development
• Water
• Ecology
• Research
• Motivated Self-Starter
• Climate Change
• Sustainability
• Science
• Environmental Issues
• Agriculture
• Water Resources
• Environmental Policy
• College Teaching
• Water Management