Breaking barriers and leading with purpose
By Pam Allen, Marketing & Communications Manager, City of Roseville, CAPIO VP of Communications
Breaking barriers and leading with purpose—this Women’s History Month, we celebrate the trailblazers redefining leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries. In this interview, we sit down with the Sarah Macdonald, Assistant General Manager of Western Municipal Water District, to explore her journey in public service, the challenges and opportunities she’s faced, and how she’s helping to shape the future of water communications and leadership.
Sarah, what led you to transition from local government to Western Municipal Water District, and what challenges and opportunities have you encountered as a woman in the male-dominated water industry?
Public service has always been a part of who I am. Growing up with a firefighter and a nurse as parents, I watched them dedicate their lives to helping others and doing what is right. That same drive led me to leadership roles in school, volunteer work in my community, and a service-driven sorority in college. While I once dreamed of becoming the next Barnum Brown, Sally Ride, or Sandra Day O’Connor (yes, I dream big!), I found my true calling in shaping communities and improving lives through public service.
When I joined Western Water, I didn’t see it as stepping into a male-dominated field or even changing sectors—special districts, like local government, share the same public service mission. What stood out to me was an organization willing to do things differently, where leadership not only valued communication and a customer-focused approach to decision-making but were also acting on this value. That vision aligned with my own mission: to help others reach bold goals with purpose and compassion while embracing growth, adventure, and connection in every aspect of life.
Thriving in a traditionally male-dominated industry has been both a challenge and an opportunity, but above all, it has been an exercise in defining leadership on my own terms.
We all know by now that the leadership landscape has shifted. For me, leadership today isn’t just about forcing respect or commanding authority; it’s about collaboration, adaptability, and the ability to bring out the best in people. With more access to information than ever before and a rapid pace of change, the command-and-control models of the past are giving way to more strategic, empathetic, and results-driven leadership, a shift made possible by the trailblazers before me who paved the way.
One of my greatest opportunities at Western Water is the ability to contribute a fresh perspective. I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from mirroring traditional styles but from embracing the unique strengths I bring—whether it’s fostering an inclusive, people-centered culture, asking the right questions to challenge the status quo and uncover new possibilities, or ensuring that strategy and execution always align with a bigger purpose.
That’s not to say the challenges don’t exist. As my career has evolved, I’ve often felt the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) pressure to prove my credibility. I’ve had to navigate stereotypes, unconscious bias, and resistance to new leadership styles—all while balancing confidence with how I’m perceived. These challenges are real. I’ve encountered well-meaning but telling questions like, “I had plenty of women in my engineering classes—where did they all go?” or “Why is the communicator weighing in on rate increase delays?” Moments like these reinforce the need for diverse voices at the table.
It can be intimidating to be the only woman—and often the youngest—at a general manager roundtable or to lead discussions on rate changes and construction projects in a room full of engineers and financial experts. In those moments, I may be secretly sweating, but I channel my inner Rebecca from Ted Lasso—take a steadying breath, refocus, and remind myself that my goals outweigh my insecurities. My role isn’t just to be in the room—it’s to contribute, facilitate strategic discussions, and help drive meaningful decisions forward, even when it feels uncomfortable.
I’ve learned that the most powerful way to lead isn’t by out-talking or out-posturing others—though I’ll admit, I continue to work against my own tendency to overcompensate and prove I’ve earned my seat and have high-value ideas. Instead, true leadership comes from consistently delivering results, understanding the organization’s needs and priorities, uplifting and inspiring those around me, and proving that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about making the most strategic impact.
In truth, I believe the evolution of leadership isn’t just about gender—it’s about recognizing that success today looks different than it did a decade ago. It’s about valuing diverse thought, creating environments where people can thrive, and understanding that leadership isn’t a solo act but a collective effort. The more we embrace this shift, the stronger our industries, organizations, and teams will become.
As the first female on the senior leadership team at Western Water, I’ve had a lot of help along the way. From my close family instilling humility, a tenacious work ethic, compassion, diplomacy and fun to my husband who uplifts my goals and dreams while we also chasing his. To him, I have no limits and neither does any other woman. I am incredibly blessed to have a group of mentors, sponsors and business coach supporting my goals, sharing hard truths, promoting my value, advocating for me and pushing me to learn and grow. As the African saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Today, organizations thrive when leaders—no matter their gender—have the courage to lead authentically, foster a culture of trust and teamwork, balance long-term vision with humility and short-term results, decisiveness with adaptability, and ambition with an understanding of what truly motivates teams.
Can you share a moment in your career that made you particularly proud to be a woman in this field?
There are almost too many proud moments in public service to count, but as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated space, these accomplishments hold even greater personal meaning. From leading transformational strategic communications plans for the City of San Marcos and Western Water to guiding crisis response efforts, supporting Yolo County Probation in preparing for public safety realignment, and strengthening industry associations like CAPIO—I take pride in not only driving meaningful change, but also in breaking barriers for future leaders, no matter the gender.
A friend once shared an interesting perspective: how much time people spend talking about their jobs at the dinner table. My goal is to ensure those conversations are more positive than negative. As Assistant General Manager, my greatest pride comes from helping both the organization and my team reach their full potential—for the benefit of the communities we serve, and those dinner table chats. I find immense fulfillment in helping employees, particularly other women in leadership, bridge the gap between where they are and their boldest aspirations, equipping them with the tools, support, and space to turn those goals into reality. Everyone at Western Water—no matter gender and background—contributes valuable talents, insights, and time, and they deserve to be respected, valued, and celebrated for that.
I also love a good challenge, and as a woman in leadership, I understand the importance of having a seat at the table and using it to drive progress. I’m grateful—sometimes pushed—by my general manager to help Western Water embrace its role as a regional leader. A key part of that has been strengthening partnerships across the state, including supporting the vision for California Water for All. This coalition, made up of hundreds of organizations and diverse stakeholders, is calling for bold, immediate changes in how California manages water. If we are going to solve the massive, complex challenges facing our water future, collaboration isn’t just important—it’s essential. As a woman in this space, I am proud to help lead the charge in bringing together diverse voices, perspectives, and leadership styles to shape the future.