Biography

Nadine Bailey Anderson, CA, is the Chief Operating Officer of Family Water Alliance, Inc. (FWA), Colusa, CA, where she leads the organization’s operational strategy, programs, and partnerships to advance sustainable access to water for family farms. A seasoned operations and finance leader with a background in both nonprofit management and natural resource policy, Nadine translates organizational vision into measurable impact by strengthening systems, building high-performing teams, and scaling community-centered solutions.

In her role, Nadine oversees program delivery, financial management, human resources, and organizational development, ensuring that strategy, compliance, and day-to-day operations are aligned for maximum effectiveness. She is known for developing data-driven performance frameworks, cultivating cross-sector collaborations with government agencies and philanthropic partners, and applying best practices in governance and risk management to sustain programs over the long term.

Nadine is committed to amplifying the rural voices of family farms.  FWA  serves as a partner to help family farms navigate the complex world of environmental regulations. 

Before joining Family Water Alliance, Nadine served as President of the Michigan-Wisconsin Timber Producers, where she led member services, industry advocacy, and stakeholder engagement across forestry and rural economic development issues. Her tenure there strengthened organizational capacity and deepened relationships between forest landowners, processors, and regional policymakers. She worked as the legislative staff for California Senators Aanestad and Dahle, supporting policy development and constituent outreach on natural resources, rural affairs, and related legislative matters.

Nadine brings a rare combination of nonprofit operations, sector leadership, and hands-on policy experience. She is known for building cross-sector partnerships, translating complex policy into actionable programs, and centering community voices in decision-making. Colleagues describe her as a pragmatic, collaborative leader committed to sustainable resource management and equitable service delivery.

Bailey currently lives in Anderson, CA, with her husband Walter, 4 dogs, 3 cats, and a horse named Dusty. She can be found on Facebook, posting about her love of healthy forests, healthy communties and rural life.