Liji Thomas, CPA, CIA, CRMA, SHRM-CP, is chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. In her role, she oversees workforce development efforts, business outreach, community engagement and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council—consisting of representation from 10 employee resource groups and five labor unions—and seeks to strengthen the organization’s commitment to equity and inclusion across all stakeholder groups.