Susan Kennedy is the Chair and CEO of Cadiz, a Los Angeles-based water solutions company with infrastructure assets across Southern California. Appointed to the Board in 2021, elected Chair in 2022, and named CEO in 2024, Kennedy brings decades of leadership in both government and clean energy. She previously served as Chief of Staff to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cabinet Secretary to Governor Gray Davis, and Commissioner of the California Public Utilities Commission, where she oversaw water utility regulation. A longtime policymaker and entrepreneur, Kennedy played a key role in negotiating major water infrastructure and environmental restoration projects, including the $8 billion San Francisco Bay Delta restoration and early Salton Sea recovery efforts.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every day, I approach my work like a campaign—with a beginning, a middle, and an end. I’ve been fortunate to always work on things I care deeply about, and that passion drives my productivity. For me, it’s never just a job. It’s a mission. I expect that same mindset from my team. We’re not clocking in and out—we’re showing up to get something important done.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by combining vision with execution. I’m not afraid to get creative or try something unconventional—like repurposing old gas pipelines to transport clean water. But the key is surrounding yourself with the right partners, tools, and technologies. An idea is just the start; it only matters if you can implement it.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Artificial Intelligence. I use ChatGPT regularly—it’s revolutionized how I navigate complex industries like water, energy, and finance. Being able to dive into 20 years of data in minutes is a game-changer. AI is accelerating the pace of progress in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One mantra I live by—and repeat often—is: “Be honest. Do your best. Don’t be greedy.” That simple rhythm keeps me grounded. No matter how chaotic things get, returning to those three principles helps me stay focused and aligned with my values.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t fear failure. I learned from Arnold Schwarzenegger that failure isn’t real unless you stop trying. You can fail 99 times, but if you succeed on the 100th, you didn’t fail—you broke a world record. I’ve fallen flat more times than I can count, but I always got back up. That’s the difference between failing and growing.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Things will get better. I have faith that our democracy, especially through institutions like the Supreme Court, will hold. It may not feel like it right now—we’re deeply divided—but I believe we’ll come out of this stronger, even if we have to go through difficult times first.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Whenever I travel I stop at the ATM and get 2-3 $100 bills and look for people to tip during my trip – usually hotel cleaning staff, Uber driver or a food service worker. I never come home with those bills – it’s a pay-it-forward thing for me. And that small act of respect seems to have a huge impact – I’ve had people chase me down the airport terminal just to thank me.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go for a run, usually at dawn. There’s something about being outside before the sun rises—it gives me clarity and resets my perspective. It’s when I think most clearly, and often, when I find answers I couldn’t see before.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Partnerships. Specifically, building public-private partnerships that include communities often left out of the conversation. At Cadiz, I’ve worked closely with Native American tribes to ensure they have a seat at the table—and even equity in the infrastructure. That changes everything. When you build together, everyone benefits.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I couldn’t close the third round of funding for my company, Advanced Microgrid Solutions, even after cashing in my pension to keep it afloat. I had to walk away. But what we built—especially the software platform—is still being used today to manage energy systems around the world. It wasn’t a financial win for me personally, but it was a technological and industry success. That taught me to redefine what success looks like.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Tap into existing resources around you. In the same way Cadiz started using idle oil and gas pipelines to transport water, you can also audit your network and assess what skills you have around you to solve problems.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
ChatGPT, hands down. It helps me process and analyze massive amounts of technical information quickly, whether I’m evaluating green hydrogen technologies or planning infrastructure strategies. It’s become an integral part of how I work and think.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Last of the Fathers, a biography of James Madison, is my favorite. He was the last surviving Founding Father and provided powerful insight into what the Constitution really meant. His integrity and commitment to democratic principles have deeply influenced how I lead.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Humans—a British series about synthetic AI beings who become self-aware. It’s a brilliant and unsettling look at what happens when technology gains consciousness. It made me think hard about ethics, innovation, and the future of humanity. And yes, I also watch American Idol—the last season I watched, my guy won.
Key learnings
- Mission-Driven Leadership with a Public-Private Lens
Susan Kennedy approaches every day and business decision like a campaign—purposeful, urgent, and values-driven. She emphasizes building inclusive partnerships, especially with underrepresented communities, such as Native American tribes, to create equity and long-term impact in infrastructure projects. - Resilience and Redefining Success
Kennedy’s philosophy is rooted in persistence and growth through failure. Even after walking away from a startup that didn’t secure funding, she measures success by lasting innovation, not just financial returns. Her mantra—“Be honest. Do your best. Don’t be greedy”—guides her through setbacks and high-stakes decision-making. - Innovating for Sustainability with Technology and Vision
At Cadiz, Kennedy champions creative, sustainable solutions—like repurposing idle oil and gas pipelines to transport clean water. By combining bold environmental thinking with advanced tools like AI, she’s accelerating Cadiz’s mission to deliver long-term water resilience in California and beyond. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to solving resource challenges through innovation and stewardship.