Anna Eleria is Leading the Way

Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) proudly announces Anna Eleria as the new administrator. Anna is a dedicated and thoughtful leader with decades of experience managing water resources.

Administrator

In March 2024, the Board of Managers appointed Anna Eleria as CRWD’s new administrator. Her appointment was effective May 18, 2024, following Mark Doneux’s retirement. Anna brings a new era of leadership with a continuing commitment to innovative stormwater management.

As the leader of Minnesota’s most populated watershed district, Anna embodies a unique blend of qualities that perfectly suit her new role. She is meticulous yet always mindful of the bigger picture. With a technical engineering background and a wealth of experience, Anna’s projects are large-scale and innovative. Her collaborative management style considers all perspectives, fostering inclusion and collaboration with project partners to achieve impressive results.

Professionally, Anna is on the Great River Passage Conservancy board, serves on the Minnesota Watersheds Legislative Platform Committee, and is part of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Water Leadership Institute 2024 cohort. She enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, spending time with family, volunteering, and running in her free time. Anna just completed her 22nd marathon this spring – talk about dedication and perseverance!

Making History

Anna’s appointment as administrator is a historic achievement. As a Filipina American, Anna is the first woman of color to lead a watershed district in Minnesota and only the second person of color in the role statewide. Anna’s leadership is a positive trend for women in leadership roles in metro watershed districts and beyond. At CRWD, women form a significant part of our leadership team, with Anna leading the way.

Background

Anna was raised in the Twin Cities and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environment Studies with an emphasis in Water Resources. She then headed east to Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, earning a Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering. Anna spent the first 12 years of her career at the Charles River Watershed Association in Boston.

Early Years at CRWD: 2008-2015

Anna joined CRWD as a water resource specialist in 2008 after returning to Minnesota. During her first several years with the District, she led many vital projects, including the Green Line stormwater infrastructure with a five-mile stretch of tree trenches on University Avenue, the Highland Ravine Stabilization, and a major Trout Brook Storm Sewer Interceptor (TBI) repair that involved rerouting a section of the tunnel to avoid conflicts with I-35E/Cayuga bridge construction.

Planning, Projects and Grants Division: 2016-2022

Anna was promoted to Planning, Projects and Grants Division Manager in 2016 and continued leading milestone projects while managing a team. During this time, she led several projects, such as planning for the Allianz Field stormwater reuse system with shared, stacked green infrastructure, Midway Peace Park stormwater management, Seminary Pond with a new iron-enhanced sand filter, and two major TBI repairs in 2017-2018 and 2021-2022. Anna also chaired the building outreach and art design committee during the construction of CRWD’s headquarters and managed the creation of the District’s 2021-2030 Watershed Management Plan.

Deputy Administrator and Administration Manager: 2022-2024

In 2022, the Board of Managers approved Anna as Deputy Administrator, a new role at CRWD, and manager of the newly formed Administration Division. She continued leading projects, including developing CRWD’s new stormwater facility management program and the Capitol Area Stormwater Study in partnership with the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) to plan stormwater management within the Minnesota State Capitol area.

Age of Eleria

Anna brings a new era of leadership with an ongoing commitment to innovative, collaborative watershed management. Under her guidance, we can expect a continued focus on sustainable water resource management, community engagement, engaging artists, equity, and technological advancements. We are excited to witness how CRWD continues to grow and innovate under her leadership. Please join us in congratulating Anna on her new role!

“Competent, fearless and resilient are the characteristics that immediately come to mind when I think of Anna. No matter what challenge she faces, she makes sure to have or obtain the skills she will need, approaches each challenge with determination, and adjusts as the situation requires. Anna is both a coalition and a consensus builder, treating all involved with dignity and respect. CRWD is both privileged and lucky to have Anna taking over the helm of the organization. Oh, did I mention that Anna has a wicked sense of humor?” – Mary Texer, CRWD Board Vice President

Anna Eleria smiles in a safety vest and hard hat, standing with arms extended in a large construction site with two tunnel sections, a forklift and a backhoe in the background. The tunnel section on the right is horseshoe-shaped and has a concrete wall in its entrance to block it. The tunnel on the left is brand new and rectangular-shaped.
Anna at the TBI re-alignment in 2013. The new section of tunnel is on the left, the old section is on the right.
A group of seven smiling adults taking a selfie on a sunny day with the Minnesota State Capitol building in the background. They are wearing winter coats and jackets. The lawn and the walkway behind them are well-maintained, with some snow on the dormant, brownish grass and bare trees along the path.
Anna Eleria is speaking at a podium with audience members seated and listening, and a slide detailing organizational information is displayed in the background.
Anna presenting at a Watershed Management Plan Community Conversation at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center in 2019.
Anna Eleria and former Administrator Mark Doneux are smiling and standing in front of Allianz Field stadium. Anna wears a black and white striped top and Mark wears a fluorescent safety vest over a brown short-sleeved button-up shirt. Behind them is a cloud-streaked sky and well-maintained grass lawn and greenery around a paved walkway.
Anna and former Administrator Mark Doneux at Allianz Field in 2023 after giving a tour of the stormwater reuse system.
Anna Eleria and an engineer wearing hard hats and safety vests in the Trout Brook Storm Sewer tunnel examining repairs marked with blue and orange paint on the limestone brick walls. Anna is pointing to a spot on the wall.
Anna inspecting repair work during the 2017-2018 Trout Brook Storm Sewer Interceptor repair project.
Anna Eleria stands smiling at a podium with a microphone and a laptop, in a room with a plain background. She is wearing a gray sweater with a geometric pattern.
Anna presenting an award to Midway Peace Park at the 2022 Annual Watershed Steward Awards Ceremony. Photo by Ackerman + Gruber.
Anna Eleria and three other women, all wearing hard hats with a CRWD logo and high-visibility vests, smile while standing together in a large, arched storm sewer tunnel. The concrete tunnel walls with pink survey markings are visible behind them.
Anna leads a tour for CRWD staff during the 2021-2022 Trout Brook Storm Sewer Interceptor repair project.
Anna Eleria and former Administrator Mark Doneux are smiling and standing in Capitol Region Watershed District's lobby. Behind them, a wood-paneled wall has an intricate iron art piece showing the Mississippi River watershed.
Anna and former Administrator Mark Doneux in CRWD's lobby in 2023.
Anna Eleria is wearing a safety vest and a hard hat while standing, giving a thumbs up sign, and smiling in front of a large stadium construction site with various machinery and construction materials visible.
Anna at Allianz Field during stadium construction.
Women wearing hard hats, eye protection and safety vests and harnesses walk single file in an 8-ft diameter concrete storm sewer tunnel. The tunnel is lit by a string of light bulbs along one side.
Anna Eleria leads Saint Paul City Councilmembers on a tour of TBI during the 2023-2024 repair project. Photo by Ackerman + Gruber.