Joone Kim-Lopez joins LA Sanitation and Environment as its Executive Director and General
Manager with more than 30 years of experience in public service, having transformed agencies
and served diverse communities across California, bringing people together to navigate conflict
and drive meaningful impact. She is recognized internationally for her leadership in innovation,
organizational excellence, and workforce culture, inspiring change and fostering inclusion.

Most recently under her leadership as CEO, the Moulton Niguel Water District, a public utility
serving South Orange County, was recognized as a top workplace in Orange County and the
USA, the first utility to earn such a distinction, according to USA Today. Moulton Niguel provides
potable water, recycled water and wastewater services to more than 170,000 residents in six
cities.

For the last four years, Joone has served as a California Seismic Safety Commissioner,
appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. This experience has emphasized the critical nature of
essential infrastructure as a vital part of a thriving communities and economies. As the founder
of the California Data Collaborative, a non-profit bringing big data solutions to water resilience
and representing 21 million Californians, she works tirelessly to support and inspire the next
generation of leaders to take on the state’s growing challenges.

Joone serves on the boards of numerous organizations to foster connections and partnerships,
including the Association of California Water Agencies, the Southern California Water Coalition,
the Water Research Foundation, California WateReuse, and UC Irvine’s Water Leadership
Board. She also acts as the National Advisor for the Lifeline Infrastructure Initiative and serves
on the boards for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and the NAACP of
California/Hawaii.

Her greatest passion is uniting people around a shared goal of building resilient communities
that prioritize safety and well-being, a commitment that earned her the Champion of Housing
Award from the Building Industry Association of Southern California.

Prior to her career in the utility sector, Joone served as a police officer for the City of Pasadena,
where she received numerous commendations, including the Silver Medal of Courage for
Bravery Under Fire and special recognition from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for
her work in undercover narcotics operations.

As an immigrant from South Korea and growing up in Los Angeles, Joone deeply understands
the value of the American dream, an experience that has shaped her commitment to building
meaningful relationships and making service to others a central priority in her life.