Staff
Radhika Fox is the Chief Executive Officer of the US Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all. The US Water Alliance brings together diverse stakeholders to identify and advance common-ground, achievable solutions to our nation’s most pressing water challenges. Through the industry-leading Value of Water Campaign, Radhika has been a leading spokesperson for the importance of investing in our nation’s water infrastructure. Water providers, public officials, business leaders, agricultural interests, environmental organizations, community leaders, unions, and policy organizations comprise the diverse membership of the US Water Alliance. The Alliance educates the nation on the value of water, accelerates the adoption of One Water policies and programs, and celebrates innovation in water management.
Radhika is a widely-recognized thought leader on complex water issues, from equity in water to investing in our nation’s water infrastructure. With more than 20 years of experience in developing policies, programs, and issue-based advocacy campaigns, Radhika is a sought-after public speaker and has been interviewed by local, regional, and national media outlets on a wide range of water issues. Previously, Radhika directed the policy and government affairs agenda for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which is responsible for providing 24/7 water, wastewater, and municipal power services to 2.6 million Bay Area residents. She also served as the Federal Policy Director at PolicyLink, where she coordinated the organization’s policy agenda on a wide range of issues, including infrastructure investment, transportation, sustainable communities, economic inclusion, and workforce development.
Radhika serves on the boards of PolicyLink and Jobs to Move America. She holds a B.A. from Columbia University and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley where she was a HUD Community Development Fellow.
Sara Allen is the Membership and Development Associate at the US Water Alliance. She has over six years of experience in fund development and grants management in the diverse settings of philanthropy, Bay Area affordable housing sector, and rural Rwanda. Prior to her work at family and community foundations, she served in the Peace Corps in Rwanda as a community health worker and as an AmeriCorps volunteer at Habitat for Humanity in Oakland, CA. She enjoys finding linkages between social justice, environmental conservation, and climate resilience. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Policy and Urban Planning from Western Washington University. She enjoys exploring and appreciating city parks, and drinking the Bay’s delicious tap water.
Scott Berry is the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for the US Water Alliance. He leads the Alliance's engagement on policy issues out of their Washington DC office. Previously, he was Director of the Utility Infrastructure Division, Environment, and Trade at the Associated General Contractors of America. There he spent 9 years as their head lobbyist on water infrastructure and water policy issues and member services lead for water, sewer, power, telecom, and underground construction. He has served on the Water Infrastructure Network, the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Coalition, the Common Ground Alliance, and the Waters Advocacy Coalition.
Kara Butler is a Program Associate at the US Water Alliance. She was brought on to support the Alliance in preparation for the One Water Summit in 2018 and has continued to work closely with the program directors on a number of issues at their Oakland office. Prior to joining the Alliance, Kara worked in data analysis and partnerships in the private sector. She has a background in client relations and project coordination and has over six years of experience in providing administrative support to startup, non-profit and small businesses. Kara grew up in Croatia (known for its Adriatic coast and the river Sava – one of the longest rivers in Europe) and studied Art History after moving to the California Bay Area. She enjoys camping and birdwatching in California’s national parks and forests.
Abigail Gardner serves as the Communications Director for the Value of Water Campaign and the US Water Alliance. She handles press requests and media relations on behalf of the Campaign and the Alliance.
For more than a decade, Abigail has worked with communications and media at the intersection of politics, campaigns, and advocacy. Prior to her work with Value of Water and the Alliance, Abigail was a Vice President at SKDKnickerbocker, where she served as a communications consultant for several political candidates, issue advocacy campaigns, and clients in need of crisis-management. During her time at SKDK, she developed a specialty in the transportation and infrastructure space. She also served in the official office of Congressman Dan Maffei (D-NY) and Governor Eliot Spitzer and worked on several political campaigns before joining SKDKnickerbocker. Abigail is a graduate of the University of Virginia and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a city famous for its three rivers.
Sarah Huckins is a Program Associate as the US Water Alliance, supporting The Value of Water Campaign and the Alliance’s policy work. In addition to her role at the Alliance, Sarah is pursuing a Master’s in Strategic Communication at American University’s School of Communication. Prior to joining the Alliance, Sarah served as Partnership Manager for Island Press in Washington D.C. She also previously worked as Environmental Coordinator for Patagonia D.C. and spent time in Amman, Jordan working with EcoPeace Middle East to promote environmental stewardship and regional cooperation as a part of Patagonia’s Environmental Internship Program.
Katy Lackey is a Program Manager at the US Water Alliance. She works on initiatives for One Water leadership, equity in climate resilience, onsite non-potable water systems, and agriculture-municipal partnerships. Katy has seven years of experience leading research and programming in the water sector. Prior to joining the Alliance, Katy was a Research Manager for The Water Research Foundation. Her portfolio covered One Water, cross-sector collaboration, extreme events, green infrastructure, decentralized systems, and sustainable energy management. In DC, Katy also served on the Executive Board of the Women’s Aquatic Network (WAN) for four years. Katy holds a M.A. in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from the United Nation’s University for Peace in Costa Rica, as well as an M.A. in International Affairs from American University’s School for International Service in Washington, DC. A Colorado-native, she loves hiking and is in constant awe of the interconnections and beauty of all our water resources.
Linda Le is the Senior Manager, Events and Operations at the US Water Alliance. With over five years of experience in executive assistant positions to top-level executives and a track of strong performance in high-volume, high pressure environments. Linda successfully works closely with the CEO on many key organizational priorities, providing administrative, operational, and development support. Linda also manages the office of the CEO and special projects for the US Water Alliance. Prior to joining the US Water Alliance, Linda served as an Executive Assistant to the CEO and Founder of a local and state government relations and lobbying firm. When she’s not working. Linda enjoys spending time with family and friends, crafting and creating custom events and parties.
Karen Rodriguez is the Vice President for Finance & Operations at the US Water Alliance. She has spent the last 20 years serving various nonprofit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area in a similar capacity. Prior to joining the Alliance, Karen served as Controller for CollegeSpring, Director of Finance & Administration for Amazon Watch, and Chief Financial Officer for California Humanities. She enjoys helping intrepid nonprofit organizations create and maintain systems that enable them to more efficiently fulfill their missions. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from San Francisco State University, and avidly enjoys traveling and singing when she can.
Brett Scruton is a Communications Associate for the US Water Alliance. He works closely with the Communication Director on social media initiatives for the Alliance and Value of Water Campaign as well as site logistics for the One Water Summit. Born and raised in Alaska, Brett has also called Oregon, and now Pennsylvania, home. He holds a Master's in Public & International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor's in Politics from Willamette University. Prior to his time with the Alliance, Brett worked in news writing and political research.
Emily Simonson is the Senior Manager for Strategy and Special Projects at the US Water Alliance. She is responsible for supporting the CEO on high-priority strategic initiatives, philanthropic engagement, and organizational positioning and planning. Emily also coordinates staff engaged on the Alliance’s Equitable Water Future portfolio. She was formerly responsible for coordinating and implementing the Value of Water Campaign, an initiative focused on building the public and political will to invest in water infrastructure.
Emily became passionate about the role water plays in social and environmental prosperity while working in Ghana for Global Brigades, a community development nonprofit. She was responsible for mobilizing students to build rainwater harvesters and deliver hygiene education workshops in rural communities without access to piped water and sanitation services. She graduated from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University with Master’s degrees in Public Administration and International Relations after a brief stint as an intern with the United Nations in Switzerland. Before coming to the US Water Alliance, Emily spent two years at EPA as an ORISE Fellow with the Urban Waters Program where she took on conference planning, strategic communications, and initiatives to increase government's ability to provide an integrated approach when working side by side with communities to restore their waterways and promote economic and social prosperity. Off the clock, Emily will use any excuse to get outside and especially likes frisbee, biking, paddling, and hiking with friends.
Gina is an independent consultant in the water and environment sectors, with a 25-year career in the water industry.A formerUS Water Alliance Board member, she led water marketing, sales, and strategy at CH2M (now Jacobs) and now operates Lakeview Strategic Services, a certified woman-owned business in Chicago. She is a mindfulness meditation teacher-in-training and is passionate about reforming systems and policies to build racial equity. The primary author of the Alliance’sOne Water for America Policy Framework,Ginawas a key contributor to the Michigan governor’s Water Advisory Task Force Final Report on the Flint water crisis in 2016, andshe has co-authored other water industry publications such asAWWA’sAvoiding Rate Shock: Making the Case for Water Rates