Ingrid Bella, Employment Services Manager

Ingrid Bella, from Valley Water, was nominated by the members of BAYWORK for her commitment to service and passion for women in the trades.

Most recently, she hosted a learning session at the training buffet titled, Aspire. Diversify. Empower. Lead – Creating Career Pathways with Valley Water’s Next-Gen Workforce Development Program.

Ingrid currently oversees benefits & wellness, recruitment, workforce development, next generation workforce development, and technical training. She also works on special and complex projects including classification and compensation in addition to supporting my team. She has worked at Valley Water since 2004 and became involved with BAYWORK in 2010 where she had the honor of serving as the President for 4 years.

Certifications and Skills: 

Ingrid has a certification from World at Work for Compensation and the University of Santa Cruz certification in Training and Development.

What interested you to pursue a career in the field?

“I’m a first generation American; my parents are from Central America and did not have a college education – all they knew was to tell me to go to college because they knew it was key to achieving the American dream. While in college, I had a part-time receptionist job in a biotech company which reported into HR. They would give me little projects to work on while I covered the switchboard. I started enjoying the work and was curious how to become an HR professional. In my Junior year I changed my major, but it was the best decision I made. During the summers I would get to work in the HR office full time, and it really helped to be able to apply what I was learning on the job to my studies until I graduated. I got hooked and just wanted to keep growing in this field. Three years later, I decided to earn my Master’s degree in HR and Organizational development from the University of San Francisco.”

If you can provide one piece of advice for women entering the field, what would it be? 

“Whatever career you decide to embark on, make sure it is something you like to do. Every job has its good, bad, and ugly. Make sure the good outweighs the ugly.”

Deina Aly, Associate Engineer Managing Wastewater Capital Improvement Projects

Deina Aly, from the City of San Jose, was nominated by her peers and the members of BAYWORK for her commitment to service and passion for women in the trades.

BAYWORK proudly honors “Empowering Women, Inspiring Change: Recognizing the Pioneers of Today and Tomorrow.” A tribute to Women’s History Month.

Deina Aly has been with the City of San Jose for 4 and half years. With a total of 9 years in her career, between oil and gas operations and process optimization, wastewater research and development and capital projects delivery.

Certifications and Skills: 

Licensed Professional Chemical Engineer – State of California (PE)
Project Management Professional- (PMP)

What interested you to pursue a career in the field?

“I have always been fascinated with Engineering field, specifically wastewater treatment industry. It’s very rewarding to see your job’s positive impact on the environment, health, and quality of life of your generation and generations to come.

Growing up, I was told that these industries are not a good fit for a woman, and that I should focus on starting a family. I broke the bias and became the first female engineer in my family. For the past 9 years, I have been growing both my family and my career. I am a proud wife, mom of 3, a masters degree holder and a professional Engineer/ Project Manager.”

If you can provide one piece of advice for women entering the field, what would it be? 

“Surround yourself with people who support your dreams. Success looks different for each one of us, embrace your journey and know that women and mothers belong in all careers.”

Dawn Benson, Executive Assistant II to the Customer and Community Services Director

Dawn Benson, from EBMUD, was nominated by the members of BAYWORK for her commitment to service and passion for women in the trades.

Most recently, she hosted a learning session at the training buffet titled, A Conversation with two EBMUD Executive Assistants on the Administrative Profession.

With over 45 years of experience and 23 of them at EBMUD her responsibilities include supporting to the director and managers, with executive level support on board documents, customer correspondence, special projects, customer assistance, and business continuity. I manage the department budget and financial tracking, and staffing requests.

She is also working to bring same training to the BAYWORK and develop networks within EBMUD and BAYWORK administrative support together to provide tools, support and professional and technical trainings along with mentoring and career development.

Certifications and Skills: 

Dawn holds many certifications in specialized training and continuing education. She has an extensive list of resources she can share for those interested in pursuing a similar career.

What interested you to pursue a career in the field?

“I enjoyed being part of the behind the scenes of the front lines of running a company – being involved in the many facets of a business and/or water agency’s operation and success both as a team and individual. Making a difference in my community and world are important as we influence and learn from those in the past through the present. Being part of the solution!”

If What is your primary philosophy about women in the trades? 

“Women bring unique and empowering dimensions of harmony, knowledge and strength into the workplace. The skills, acumen and determination help to make the workplace more innovative and synergistic that leads to success.”

If you can provide one piece of advice for women entering the field, what would it be? 

“Find a mentor, be disciplined and practice.”

Angela Andrews,
Capital Portfolio Manager

Angela Andrews, from West County Wastewater, was nominated by her peers and the members of BAYWORK for her commitment to service and passion for women in the trades.

Angela Andrews has been with West County Wastewater for 3 years, and 14 years in Development. Her primary responsibility is to manage the delivery of projects in the Capital Program. Projects include sewer infrastructure, plant process, and facility upgrades.

BAYWORK proudly honors the Resilience and Excellence of Women of Color in Water: A tribute During Black History Month.

Certifications and Skills: 

Project Management Professional Certification- (PMP)

What interested you to pursue a career in the field?

“In my career I have always worked in areas I am passionate about which is work that helps the community. West County Wastewater gives me the opportunity to work in community development, environmental justice, and reducing the impacts of climate change.”

If you can provide one piece of advice for women entering the field, what would it be? 

“Someone told me to remember to enjoy every stage in your life. What you are doing now will serve you in your future. Soon you will start to see a pattern of what interest you but also shows your value to the organizations you work for and what you bring to the table when there are opportunities you would like to pursue.”

Sunny Williams,
Senior Management Analyst

Sunny Williams, from Valley Water, with over 30 years of industry experience, was nominated by the members of BAYWORK for her commitment to service and passion for women in the trades.

Most recently, she hosted a learning session at the training buffet that encouraged others to identify the benefits of starting a women-centric employee resource group at their agencies.

Certifications and Skills: 

I perform environmental planning work and have a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from UC Davis. I’m a licensed Certified Arborist. It’s not required in this position, but it is helpful.

What interested you to pursue a career in the field?

“To protect and provide environments for our natural flora and fauna, and the ecosystems they need to thrive.”

If you can provide one piece of advice for women entering the field, what would it be? 

“Find other women who work in the field that you are or want to work in. When I first became a Certified Arborist and attended continuing education workshops, there would be a line in the men’s restroom and we women just walked directly into ours. While that was a welcome and elating experience, there just weren’t women arborists. Now, there’s a line for the restroom AND women are now more equal in attendance. Progress.

Being the lone or rare woman in a work environment can be lonely, frustrating, and difficult. Find male allies who you work with. Find other women who also work in your field to talk about your challenges and to support one another.

While there may always be someone who questions why you want to work (or live) as you do, you have just as much ‘right’ as anyone else to be there. And know that there are other women, trying to do the same thing as you.”

Victoria Garcia, Associate Water Resources Specialist

Victoria Garcia, from Valley Water, was nominated by the members of BAYWORK for her commitment to service and passion for women in the trades.

Most recently, she hosted a learning session at the training buffet that encouraged others to identify the benefits of starting a women-centric employee resource group at their agencies.

As the Associate Water Resources Specialist in the Groundwater Management Unit, Victoria’s primary responsibilities include managing multiple groundwater quality monitoring programs, implementing special groundwater studies, and conducting water quality numerical modeling and analysis. She also is the founder of the Women of Water, a Valley Water Employee Resource Group.

Certifications and Skills: 

B.S. in Geology, Groundwater Geochemistry certification.

What interested you to pursue a career in the field?

“I’ve always been passionate about the complex intricates of water resources. Growing up in an area where drinking water wasn’t safe to drink, led me to wanting to make a difference in my community in the future.”

If you can provide one piece of advice for women entering the field, what would it be? 

“My advice for women entering trade work is, don’t doubt yourself and know that you are more than capable to do this job! One statistic that has been restated many times and still amazes me is, men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them. You can, and will, do the job well. Go for it!”