Spotlight on Excellence Award

Brittani Evans, Award Honoree

Congratulations to State Water Resources Control Board Racial Equity Training Manager Brittani Evans, our 2025 CalPERS Spotlight on Excellence Award honoree.

Strengthening Equity

Behind Evans’ duties as the board’s racial equity and training manager is a commitment to ensuring every Californian has access to safe and affordable water and that underserved communities have a voice in the board’s public process.

With equity at the forefront, she designs and leads trainings and educational sessions, collaborates with internal and external groups, and creates environmental justice-based change for all who depend on the State Water Board’s services.

“My job is to provide tools and resources to employees and leadership that assists us in making the best decisions possible for the people of California,” she said. “More than anything, I spread awareness and consideration, and I provide support every day to people who just want to be heard, respected, valued, and appreciated.”

Evans’ Accomplishments

Evans’ accomplishments include contributing to the development of the State Water Board’s Racial Equity Resolution (PDF) and the related Racial Equity Action Plan (PDF), which acknowledge the historic inequities created by racism that led to a lack of affordability and access to clean and safe water, and commit to regularly evaluating data and centering Black, Indigenous, and people of color’s expertise and experiences in decision-making processes that affect vulnerable and marginalized communities the board serves. Evans’ contribution to the development of these touchstone documents included traveling to and meeting with board-served communities and stakeholders, conducting and incorporating community member and staff feedback, analyzing and generating data about the progress toward these goals, and presenting regular updates to the board and agencies.

Evans’ leadership role in creating these touchstone documents included traveling to and meeting with board-served communities and stakeholders, conducting public and employee listening sessions, collecting and incorporating community member and staff feedback, analyzing and generating data about the progress towards these goals, and presenting regular updates to the board and agencies.

These formal commitments are meant to examine the impacts of the board’s decisions, policies, and procedures on California communities and State Water Board employees.

She also established the board’s Racial Equity Training Competencies and its Racial Equity Training Advisory Committee, and continues to lead and support affinity groups throughout the California Environmental Protection Agency, the State Water Board’s parent agency.

And for more than four years, Evans continues to organize and facilitate the board’s popular Racial Equity Support Lunch: a virtual lunch featuring guest speakers, engaging programs, candid conversations, and resources for navigating inclusion and normalizing conversations about race and culture in the workplace.

Community Change Agent

But Evans’ Spotlight recognition isn’t limited to her public-service work. She also was honored for her many community activities, such as:

Serving as a certified mental health advocate with the California Black Women’s Health Project.
Participating as an active member with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity.
Creating a workplace clothing exchange and meal-sharing program.
Donating food and clothing for unhoused people.
Volunteering in jail ministries.
Mentoring individuals interested in public service careers or promotions.
Inspiring students as an art docent and parent volunteer for local public-school districts.
Assisting students in exploring future careers in sociology and the environment.

“I serve people because it brings me joy,” she said. “Just watching the way that people react when you are actually considering them and putting them and their needs in the forefront — it’s a feeling you can't really get anywhere else, for them and for us.

“I definitely believe in what we can do, not what we can’t do.”

Making a Difference

Dedicated public employees like Brittani Evans make a difference for California. The CalPERS Spotlight on Excellence Award is our opportunity to celebrate them.

Presented as part of the annual CalPERS Educational Forum, the peer-nominated award shines a light on outstanding public employees serving with CalPERS employers.

Nominations for 2026’s award will open next summer, but it’s never too early to be thinking of amazing public employees to be considered for this honor — watch for your nomination opportunity in June.

Past Award Recipients

2024

Debb Jachens
California School Employees Association’s (CSEA)

The backbone of every organization involved in administering pension benefits remains its people. Perhaps no one knows this better than the California School Employees Association’s (CSEA) Member Benefits Coordinator, Debb Jachens. Building on time spent as a high school bus driver, Debb joined the CSEA Member Benefits Department in 2009 and currently provides members with retirement workshops and resources to make the most of their CalPERS pension. Through Debb’s tireless work ethic, countless members have been able to understand their benefits and set themselves up for a successful retirement. Congratulations to Debb and the CSEA.

Christian Wallis
Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD)

As Chief Executive Officer of the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), Christian Wallis carried through an ambitious plan to transform the district and elevate its profile as a leader in community health for the more than 500,000 residents it serves. This impact includes expanding programs and services for residents as well as restructuring how GHD approaches internal team development and career advancement. Congratulations to Christian and the GHD team.

2023

Scott Taylor, General Manager
Lamont Public Utility District (LPUD)

Recognized for helping turn a troubled public agency into an example of transparency, trust, and stability, along with securing critical state funding (PDF).

Among a series of challenges, including failing infrastructure, frequent changes in management, and employee embezzlement charges, Scott stepped in eight years ago with a vision to lead. He secured a monumental $31 million in combined grants — the first in the agency's 80 years — for much-needed water infrastructure improvements. These improvements bring clean, safe drinking water to the residents of the Lamont PUD service area for now and generations to come.

2022

Julian Bond, Administrator
California Department of Veterans Affairs
Recognized for his dedication to the residents of the CalVET Veterans Home of Ventura and an exemplary leadership style that leaves all who meet him inspired. Referred to as Colonel Bond by his team, he’s demonstrated a lifelong passion for serving others, both now and through a decorated career in the U.S. Army.

2021

Monica Espinoza, Human Resources Director
City of Orange
Recognized for 24 years of service to the city, where she’s worked her way up from an intern to executive leadership. The positive relationships she’s fostered over the years have resulted in eight successful long-term contracts with labor partners and skyrocketing morale. She's well known for doing everything she can to support her team, the organization, and city residents.

2020

Trieste Huey, Director, Food Services
Fontana Unified School District
Recognized for leading her team quickly into action when the Fontana Unified School District announced on March 13, 2020 it would be temporarily closing schools in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With all the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, FUSD’s Food Services team made certain students and their families, some of whom rely on the district for their only meals, got the food they needed when it mattered the most.

2019

Michelle Tucker, Chief, Division of Human Resources
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Recognized for launching several successful initiatives to advance women and minorities, shaping future generations of employees to work in the transportation industry. Under her leadership, the Recruitment Office collaborated with special groups such as Downtown Streets, Goodwill Industries, Prison to Employment, and refugee groups that onboard employees who have had trouble entering or re-entering the workforce.

2018

Manuel Colunga, Outdoor Field Supervisor
San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District
Recognized as a dedicated steward of over 44 miles of water canals and recharge basins throughout the San Bernardino County region, Manuel's passion for groundwater management knows no bounds. He led a partnership with 12 neighboring agencies to raise awareness and further enhance water recharge efforts in neighboring communities.

2017

Jeanne Amos, Library Services Director
El Dorado County
Recognized for 22 years of dedicated public service, Jeanne transformed El Dorado County libraries into the community hubs she envisioned. Programs she developed helped El Dorado County receive recognition from our State Legislature for its early learning education, and for having the highest percentage in the state of reading to young children each day.

2016

Kenneth Duran, Assistant City Manager
City of San Dimas
Recognized for his accomplishments during more than 30 years as assistant city manager, including the city hall remodel and downtown revitalization.

2015

East Valley Water District
Recognized for their commitment to leadership, partnership, and stewardship, and understanding the need to educate the community on the efforts involved in maintaining a water system.

2014

Howard L. Chambers, City Manager
City of Lakewood
Recognized for his accomplishments during his 38 years as city manager, and his ability to build working relationships with city staff, civic leaders, and state legislators.

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