Portrait
A Farewell to CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones
By Emily Rose Oachs
At the end of March, LADWP bid farewell to CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones as she returned to her native Puerto Rico to assume a leadership role at an electric utility. As LADWP’s first Latina CEO, Janisse’s leadership brought transformational change to the organization, shaping the Department’s workplace culture, advancing efforts in water and power to create a more resilient and sustainable Los Angeles, and championing initiatives to modernize the Department, strengthen operational excellence, and keep safety at the forefront.
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During her 22 months at LADWP, Janisse led the Department through a landscape of unprecedented challenges, from the devastating Palisades Fire and extreme weather events to an extended water service interruption and civic unrest. To each challenge, she brought her expertise in crisis response and provided her signature steady, people-forward, and mission-centered leadership style. Thanks to her leadership, key operations continued smoothly, employees and vital facilities stayed protected, and essential services in L.A. were quickly restored.
Upon joining LADWP, her impressive background in utilities and as a Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard helped her quickly spot areas needing improvement within the organization. Drawing on her commitment to public service, she took action to strengthen the Department by assembling a diverse executive leadership team. These leaders brought expertise in resiliency and emergency management, risk and compliance, strategic planning and sustainability, human resources, Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology, as well as corporate performance, continuous improvement, and change management.
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Preparation and Response to Atmospheric River Fueled Storm
She also brought a results-driven approach to her role, combining technical expertise with a commitment to innovation, while addressing opportunities to enhance efficiency and foster collaboration. She advanced modernization efforts by supporting the implementation of Workday for centralized employee data management, introducing the Intelex safety platform, and advocating for the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), or smart meters. Understanding the value of a cohesive workforce, Janisse developed strategies to break down departmental barriers and unite LADWP's workforce of nearly 12,000 employees. During her first month, she established monthly all-employee town halls and subsequently introduced in-person orientation sessions for onboarding new staff members.
Under her leadership, the Department expanded critical programs like Cool LA heat relief events and utility assistance initiatives, directly benefiting hundreds of thousands of customers. Her strategic vision also prioritized operational efficiency and community impact, ensuring LADWP remained a leader in serving Los Angeles' diverse population. Recognizing the value of representation, she mentored emerging leaders in utilities, sharing insights from her extensive professional experience to inspire the next generation.
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Both the Water and Power systems experienced substantial progress under Janisse’s leadership. With her guidance, LADWP advanced significant water reliability infrastructure investments – including the L.A. Groundwater Replenishment Project, the North Hollywood West Response Action Groundwater Treatment Facility, and the Fairmont Sedimentation Plant. She also led the Department toward notable milestone achievements in clean energy and climate resiliency, surpassing 60 percent clean energy through the commissioning of Eland Solar-plus-Storage Center and fulfilling the long-term goal of a coal-free energy portfolio by retiring coal units at the now hydrogen-capable Intermountain Power Project in Utah.
Perhaps chief among the legacies Janisse leaves behind is the North Star strategy. Serving as a guide for employees, the North Star outlines the three pillars that are foundational to LADWP: customers, communities, and coworkers. They focus on serving customers the way they want to be served, leaving a net positive impact on our communities, and unlocking full potential of our workforce.
In late March, LADWP’s workforce came together to wish her luck on her next adventure. A farewell program, hosted by LADWP’s new Interim General Manager David W. Hanson and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Assistant General Manager for the Water System Anselmo Collins, featured reflections from other members of the diverse, skillful leadership team that she built during her tenure. A representative from the Mayor’s Office also joined the event to present Janisse with a certificate to recognize her for her work leading LADWP, and Los Angeles Board of Commissioners President Allan Marks, Vice President Nurit Katz, and Commissioner Wilma Pinder delivered congratulatory and farewell remarks.
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The following morning, the Los Angeles City Council also came together to officially recognize Janisse for her leadership and lasting legacy on the City. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian presented Janisse with a resolution signed by the entire City Council, with other councilmembers also expressing their gratitude for Janisse’s vision, voice, and service to Los Angeles.
Intake Turns 100
Preparation and Response to Atmospheric River Fueled Storm
Janisse's unwavering commitment to LADWP launched the Department’s trajectory toward becoming a modern utility for Los Angeles. Her visionary, strategic, and authentic leadership has resulted in a legacy that is leaving Los Angeles more sustainable, resilient, and equitable for the benefit of all Angelenos.
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