River Clicks Internal Winner Julen Navarrete
Tell us a little about yourself and how you found your way to the San Antonio River Authority.
Growing up, San Antonio always felt like a special place to me. I was born in Nebraska, but football brought my family to Texas in 1984, where we settled in the Rio Grande Valley. I loved growing up in the Valley and will always consider it home.
As a young girl, I would travel to San Antonio with my family and spend time exploring downtown and the River Walk. I remember thinking, one day I want to work in this amazing city. I had no idea then that my future career would connect to the river itself.
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I moved to San Antonio with my three daughters. It was just the four of us, starting over in a new city filled with new opportunities, fresh faces, and a new chapter of life.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
A few months later, in November 2020, I joined the San Antonio River Authority as a Branding and Communications Specialist.
What was your first impression of the River Authority?
Like many people, I initially thought the River Authority’s work concentrated on the River Walk.
When I interviewed for the position, I knew the river as the beautiful place filled with restaurants, shops, and visitors enjoying downtown San Antonio. I quickly learned there was much more to the river than I had expected.
The River Authority manages approximately 240 miles of the San Antonio River across Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties. From flood management and water quality to ecosystem restoration, education, recreation, and community outreach, the scope of work is incredible.
The more I learned about the organization, the more I realized how important our mission of safe, clean, and enjoyable creeks and rivers is to the communities we serve.
What was your first major project?
One of my first assignments was supporting communications for the San Pedro Creek Culture Park project.
Although the first phase was already complete when I joined the River Authority, I helped tell the story of the project through communications, community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and grand opening events as it moved toward completion. Watching San Pedro Creek Culture Park transform into the vibrant cultural destination it is today and celebrating its completion in 2025 was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
How has your career evolved at the River Authority?
One thing I appreciate most about the River Authority is the opportunity for growth.
After supporting San Pedro Creek, I became the agency’s Event Specialist, managing some of our largest community events, including Fall Festival, River of Lights, the Paddling Race Series, and Fiesta Flotilla.
Those experiences showed me how important it is to create opportunities for people to connect with our waterways and understand why protecting them matters.
I later transitioned into the Branding and Communications Officer role, focusing on media relations, branding, and external communications. Today, I serve as the Public Affairs Manager, leading an amazing team that supports communications, branding, community outreach, volunteer engagement, and education initiatives throughout our watershed.
What River Authority initiatives are you most passionate about?
Two initiatives immediately come to mind.
The first is Litter Is Ugly. Litter impacts every community, and regardless of where it starts, it often ends up in our waterways. What I love about this campaign is that it uses humor and memorable messaging to raise awareness about a very real environmental issue. It’s simple, relatable, and effective.
The second is Floods Don’t Care; a regional flood awareness campaign launched with Bexar County. Flood preparedness and public safety are critical components of the River Authority’s mission. Following recent flooding events across our region, it’s been incredibly meaningful to help educate residents about flood risks, preparedness, and safety. If our communications help even one family make safer decisions during a flood event, then we’ve made a difference.
What inspires you most about the River Authority?
Without question, it’s the people.
I have the privilege of working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to protecting our waterways and serving our communities. No matter their role, they’re united by a shared purpose.
Our River Warrior volunteers have also inspired me. With over 1,800 volunteers, the River Warrior Volunteer Program helps improve our watershed through cleanups, beautification projects, and environmental stewardship efforts. Their commitment shows the power of community action.
What does the river mean to you today?
The river means something very different to me today than it did when I was a little girl visiting San Antonio.
Back then, I saw it as a beautiful destination. Today, I understand it as a living resource that supports our communities, our environment, and our quality of life.
Working at the River Authority has deepened my appreciation for everything that happens behind the scenes to protect our waterways, from ecosystem restoration and flood management to water quality monitoring and public education.
It’s especially meaningful that my three daughters have experienced this journey alongside me. Since moving to San Antonio in 2020, I’ve loved watching them develop an appreciation for our rivers, natural spaces, and the importance of giving back to the community.
Most importantly, working here has shown me how connected people are to the river and how much it influences our daily lives, whether or not we realize it.
What started as a childhood dream of working in San Antonio became an opportunity to build a meaningful career with an organization that truly makes a difference. I am grateful for the journey that brought me here, proud that my daughters have been able to grow alongside it, and excited to continue sharing the River Authority’s story for years to come.
My River POV: The river brought me to San Antonio, but the River Authority gave me a purpose.
Nicole Marshall is the Manager of the Public Affairs Department at the San Antonio River Authority, where she leads strategic communications, community engagement, and outreach initiatives that support the agency’s mission and regional impact. Learn more about Nicole and our Leadership team on the River Authority website!
The “My River POV” series provides readers with the opportunity to learn about the unique insights and experiences of the San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff and their connection to the San Antonio River in hopes of inspiring stewardship of area creeks and rivers.
