OUR TEAM
Bridget Gibbons
Project Co-Manager
Bridget graduated from Northwestern University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, a minor in Environmental Policy, and a certificate in Sustainability and Energy. Following four years of work as an environmental consultant, Bridget is excited to continue her education at the Bren School as a Sustainable Water Markets Fellow specializing in Water Resources Management and Environmental Economics and Politics. In the future Bridget hopes to analyze and develop policies that encourage multi-benefit water management strategies and promote the resiliency of both water supplies and ecosystems. In her free time, Bridget enjoys hiking, scuba diving, and exploring new places around California.
Claire Madden
Claire graduated cum laude from the University of Vermont (UVM) Honors College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and Applied Economics. As a recipient of the Sustainable Water Markets Fellowship, Claire is continuing her education at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management in environmental economics and water resource management. After earning her master’s degree, she hopes to research and develop interdisciplinary strategies for policy design to promote healthy ecosystems and protect essential freshwater resources for current and future generations. In her free time, Claire enjoys hiking, snowboarding, gardening, cooking, yoga, and ceramics.
Jenny Balmagia
Data Manager
Jenny graduated from Reed College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. After 3 years of researching and restoring wetlands in California’s Central Coast she is excited to continue her education at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management where she is specializing in Water Resources Management with a focus in Environmental Data Science. With her degree, Jenny hopes to develop multiple-benefit programs to incentivize watershed restoration and protection. When not studying, Jenny can be found rock climbing around her home-state of California or making jewelry.
Anna Perez Welter
Outreach Manager
While studying Anthropology at Oregon State University, Anna discovered that cultural and environmental practices are inextricably linked, and that many pressing issues such as modern development, industrial agriculture, pollution and land rights require an interdisciplinary approach. Seeking tangible and widely applicable solutions, Anna is specializing in Water Resource Management and is pursuing a career in watershed management and community sustainability. In the long-term, she intends to develop an environmental consulting firm with an interdisciplinary team to serve communities domestically and in South America. When not studying or traveling, Anna enjoys cooking, hiking, watching films and singing.
BREN SCHOOL ADVISORS
Scott Jasechko, PhD
Assistant Professor
Water Resources, Hydrology,
Groundwater, Sustainability
jasechko@ucsb.edu
EXTERNAL ADVISOR
Kamyar Guivetchi
Department of Water Resources
Statewide Water Planning Manager
Kamyar.Guivetchi@water.ca.gov
SPECIAL THANKS
Francisco Flores, PhD
Water Resources Engineer
CA Department of Water Resources
Jennifer Marr
Supervising Engineer
CA Department of Water Resources
Water Resources Division
of Statewide Integrated
Water Management
Allison Horst, PhD
Lecturer
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
UC Santa Barbara
Daniel Mountjoy, PhD
Director of Resource Stewardship
Sustainable Conservation
Stephanie Anagnoson
Director
Department of Water and Natural Resources, Madera County
James Frew, PhD
Associate Professor — Environmental Informatics
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
UC Santa Barbara
Andrew Ayres, PhD
Research Fellow
Public Policy Institute of California
Sarah Fakhreddine, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Texas, Austin
Thomas Harter, PhD
Professor--Hydrology
Department of Land,
Air and Water Resources
UC Davis
Helen Dahlke, PhD
Associate Professor--
Physical Hydrology
Department of Land,
Air and Water Resources
UC Davis
Kelsey Jack, PhD
Associate Professor —
Environmental and Development Economics
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
UC Santa Barbara
Christina Babbitt
Senior Manager
California Groundwater Program
Environmental Defense Fund