Cadiz names Cathryn Rivera as new COO to lead groundbreaking water projects
(UI) — Cadiz Inc., a California-based water solutions company, has appointed Cathryn Rivera as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective Sept. 16. The move follows the earlier appointment of Susan Kennedy as CEO, as part of the company’s efforts to expand its leadership team.
Rivera will oversee the execution phase of Cadiz's large-scale groundwater banking project, as well as the deployment of water treatment technologies targeting contaminants like arsenic, Chromium 6, and "forever chemicals."
Rivera brings over 25 years of experience in California government, having served under four governors from both parties. CEO Susan Kennedy praised Rivera’s leadership, calling her "the eye of the storm" and highlighting her execution skills as "second to none."
Rivera expressed her excitement about the new role, stating, "Water is without a doubt the next great challenge for California. I believe Cadiz is on the verge of delivering game-changing solutions that will impact millions of lives."
Prior to joining Cadiz, Rivera held key roles in the California government, including serving as Appointments Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom from 2019 to 2024. During her time in the Newsom administration, she helped appoint over 3,000 individuals to state leadership roles and established new offices focused on land use and climate innovation. Rivera was also instrumental in leading pandemic response efforts, such as securing COVID supplies and assisting small businesses in shifting to produce protective gear.
Rivera’s extensive career includes serving as Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Governor Gray Davis, where she oversaw policies for major state agencies, including Health and Human Services. She also played a key role on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, where she developed a regulatory framework for farmworker mediation.
Rivera holds a B.S. in Business Management from Arizona State University and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where she served as co-editor-in-chief of the La Raza Law Journal.
Cadiz’s current projects include a major groundwater banking initiative in the Mojave Desert, which aims to supply clean water to disadvantaged communities in the Colorado River Basin and California's Inland Empire.
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