2026 California Water Safety Summit
2026 California Water Safety Summit Recap Statement
Coming Soon
About the 2026 Keynote Speakers
Diver Juan Heredia
Volunteer Rescue Diver
Diver Juan Heredia is a realtor, lender, and general contractor—but at heart, he is a diver.
Raised in Argentina, Juan grew up navigating river waters alongside his father, free diving to recover fishing hooks. That early connection to the water became a lifelong calling.
He later became a certified diver and scuba instructor, and since 2024 has dedicated himself to search and recovery missions across California, Washington, Wisconsin, and Oregon—answering calls from families across the U.S. and beyond.
For Juan, this is not just work—it’s purpose.
Since 2024, he has participated in over 41 search and recovery operations, committing thousands of hours in dangerous and often zero-visibility conditions to help bring loved ones home and give families closure when others have stopped searching.
In August 2024, after 13 recovery missions, he founded the nonprofit Angels Recovery Dive Team, focused on:
Bringing loved ones home
Supporting grieving families
Promoting water safety
Building a rapid-response volunteer network
In recognition of his service, Juan was awarded the Key to the City of Stockton by Mayor Kevin Lincoln in 2024.
Agenda
Day 1 - Wednesday, April 15th
Arrival, Registration, and Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Session 1
9:00 AM – 10:35 AM
Welcome Statements
Jeffery Rosenhall, California Department of Public Health
Mariko Rooks, California Water Safety Coalition / CDC Foundation
Amada Lang, Rios to Rivers
Julie Lopiccolo, California Water Safety Coalition / Jasper Ray Foundation
Opening Keynote Address
Juan Heredia, Angels Recovery Dive Team
Sacramento's Drowning Risk and Response Landscape
Jennifer Rubin, Safe Kids Greater Sacramento Coalition / UC Davis Health
Captain Mark Nunez, Metro Fire
Zachary Corbo, Drowning Accident Rescue Team (DART)
Roll Call: Who is here?
Morning Coffee Break
10:35 – 11:05 AM
Coffee and selection of snacks
Session 2
11:05 AM -12:50 PM
Multicultural Community Programming: Strategies and Insights
Jennifer Rubin, Safe Kids Greater Sacramento Coalition / UC Davis Health
Malalai Safi, International Rescue Committee
River Safety
Lynsey Nunes, Sierra Rescue Group
Sara Kennedy, California Department of Parks and Recreation
Strengthening Drowning Data with the CDC Foundation
Representatives from the CDC Foundation
Lunch Break
12:50 – 1:50 PM
Session 3
1:50 - 3:30 PM
Group Photo
SB 855 Updates
Celeste Doerr, California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Johnny Rezendes, California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Sophia Mercado, California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
LA 2028 Olympic Discussion
Mariko Rooks, California Water Safety Coalition / CDC Foundation
Drew Kodelja, California Water Safety Coalition / YMCA San Francisco
Financial Feasibility & Creativity: Designing Your Dream Program
Mariko Rooks, California Water Safety Coalition / CDC Foundation
Rob Williams, California Water Safety Coalition / Ben Carlson Foundation
Drew Kodelja, California Water Safety Coalition / YMCA San Francisco
Building Your Dream Aquatic Facility Using Feasibility Studies
Lance Timmons, Counsilman-Hunsaker / Aquatic Planning and Design
From Champions to Legislation: How to Enact Policy & Create Change
Julie Lopiccolo, California Water Safety Coalition / Jasper Ray Foundation
Kris Lev-Twombly, California State Alliance of YMCAs
Legislative Updates
Steve Barrow, CA Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health (CCCSH)
Afternoon Coffee Break
3:30 – 4:00 PM
Coffee and selection of snacks
Session 4
4:00 - 5:15 PM
Technological Innovation to Enhance Prevention
Venkatesh Padmanabhan and Douglas Grubbs, WaveAlert360: Real-Time Warnings at the Shoreline
James Wheeler, Hayward Area Recreation & Park District: Sales pitches and potential glitches - a non-bias look at underwater surveillance
Dr. Mark Simonian, California Water Safety Coalition / Water Safety Council of Fresno County: AI Lifeguard - A 5-Minute Overview of AI Chatbots' Role in Water Safety
Drew Kodelja, California Water Safety Coalition / YMCA San Francisco
Northern California Spotlight
Sara Kennedy, California Department of Parks and Recreation
David McMurdie, California Recovery Divers
Pete DeQuincy, East Bay Regional Park District
Arunay Foundation: Life Rings Initiative and Youth Beach Safety Education
First Day Wrap Up and CWSC Board Member Introductions
Chad Gunter, California Water Safety Coalition / City of Folsom
Networking Social
5:15-7:00 PM
Cora Coffee House, 1201 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Drinks and Refreshments provided by Citizens Capitol Craft House
12 minute walk from the Summit venue
Day 2 - Thursday, April 16th
Arrival, Registration, and Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Session 5
9:00 AM - 11:40 AM
Stewarding California's Water: Learning from Tribal Nations
Mariko Rooks, California Water Safety Coalition / CDC Foundation
Liam Walsh, Tribal Engagement Officer
Amada Lang, Rios to Rivers
From County to Country: Drowning Data at Every Level
Kristen Lewis, Orange County Fire Authority
Johnny Rezendes, California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Danielle Fernandez, CDC Foundation
Innovative Youth Programming: Increasing Access to Water Through Play & Sport
Mariko Rooks, California Water Safety Coalition / CDC Foundation
Christopher Ragland, The Sea League
Asante Sefa-Boakye, Blackstar Polo
Risa Bell, Surf Justice Collective & Paddle for Peace
Regional Breakout Session
Lunch Break
11:40 AM – 12:40 PM
Session 6
12:40 - 2:45 PM
Your California Government: Office Hours with State Departments
Hernando Garzon, Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)
Anjelica Montano, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division (MCAH)
Amy Tydeman, Substance Abuse and Prevention Branch (SAPB)
Melissa Miranda, Department of Parks and Recreation
Taylor Saia, Army Corp of Engineers, Sacramento District
The CDC Foundation's Understanding and Preventing Drowning Initiative
Looking Ahead
Julie Lopiccolo, California Water Safety Coalition / Jasper Ray Foundation
Afternoon Coffee Break/Connecting and Networking
2:45 – 3:45 PM
Coffee and selection of snacks
Logistics
Venue
California Department of Public Health Headquarters (East End Complex)
1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814
The 2026 California Water Safety Summit is presented by the California Water Safety Coalition cohosted with the California Department of Public Health and California State Parks. Please direct questions and inquiries to: info@cawatersafety.org
2026 Summit Cohosts
Thank you 2026 Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Life Saver Sponsor
