Lauren James is currently Manager, Communications and Supplier Diversity for Suburban Water Systems. Lauren is responsible for internal and external communications with customers, stakeholders, community-based organizations, and employees. She is also responsible for the Supplier Diversity program promoting the recruitment and use of women, minorities, disabled veterans, and war-owned business enterprises.
Lauren joined Suburban in 2015 to support the Covina-based water utility and other subsidiaries of SouthVitest Water Company. She is focused on building Sub-urban’s brand through several signature programs including supplier diversity, community service volunteering, community-based organization, and chamber memberships, employee quarterly meetings and events, community sponsorships, and local legislator partnerships. Lauren recently experienced a career highlight when Suburban achieved 49.7% diverse vendor spend in 2018 and 49.8% diverse spend in 2019; the highest in company history and 2nd overall amongst California regulated utilities. Lauren has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations from the University of ta Verne, and is a proud resident of the City of Diamond Bar where she lives with her husband and two children.
Manager, Communications and Supplier Diversity
Lauren James
Council
