Marlene Rivas is a Program Manager with Impact Water – Arizona, a program of ASU’s Arizona Water Innovation Initiative. She is passionate about advancing community-centered solutions to address Arizona’s water challenges and ensuring resources reach historically underserved populations. Her work supports ASU project teams addressing local water issues and the Rural Groundwater Resilience Workshops, and leads the LABrary collaboration with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Marlene began her career in event management and community outreach, holding leadership roles at ASU’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, ASU Kerr, the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, and Segunda Mano La Revista, one of Phoenix’s largest Latino marketing and advertising groups.
Raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Marlene is deeply rooted in the communities she serves. She holds professional certificates in marketing and water management, a B.A. in Business Communication, and an MBA from ASU. She is also part of the graduating class of 2025 – 2026 of Arizona Forward’s Emerging Sustainability Leaders program.