June 2026 - Gabriela Landeros
What do you find most fascinating / challenging about the water industry?
What I find most fascinating about the water industry is how essential it is—yet there’s still so much innovation happening behind the scenes. Water touches every home and community, and being part of something that directly improves people’s daily lives is incredibly motivating. I love that the work we do isn’t just transactional; it genuinely matters. The challenge is that water quality, regulations, and customer expectations vary so much from place to place. There’s never a one size fits all solution, so it takes a lot of problem solving, education, and collaboration to get things right. But honestly, that’s what keeps it exciting. It’s complex, it’s always evolving, and it gives me the chance to make a meaningful difference while continuing to learn and grow.
What is your hobby and why?
When I’m not solving water issues, I’m working on my dance skills—I’m a Pro‑Am Ballroom dancer. I started about two and a half years ago, and it has become the perfect mix of competition, creativity, and an excuse to wear sparkly outfits without judgment.
Dancing lets me express myself in a totally different way, and it’s honestly made me a happier, more grounded person. Plus, ballroom dancing is known to boost your mood and reduce stress more effectively than traditional exercise— Which is probably why I show up to half my meetings smiling like I’ve already had three cups of coffee.
I genuinely think everyone should try a dance class at least once. Worst case, you get a good laugh. Best case, you discover your inner ballroom diva like I did.
Have you had a mentor in the industry and what valuable lesson / catch phrase has that person passed to you?
I’ve definitely had mentors in the industry, and the best lesson I ever got was: “If you don’t ask the question, the answer is already no.” It pushed me to be more confident, take initiative, and advocate for myself and my customers. It’s such a simple line, but it’s changed how I approach opportunities and challenges.
Who would you like to have a drink with and chat? This person can be from history or current day.
If I could sit down for a drink and a conversation with anyone, it would be my dad. He passed away from Covid in 2021, and I’ve missed his advice and wisdom every day since. He had a way of grounding me, offering perspective, and somehow knowing exactly what to say without even trying.
He also loved to dance—that’s where I get it from. I think he’d get a kick out of seeing me ballroom dance now, and I’d give anything to share that with him. One more conversation, one more laugh, and probably one more dance… that’s who I’d choose.
