Shanna Yazzie, Safety and Compliance Manager for DigDeep’s Right to Water Project, is celebrated as a Hydro20 honoree for her leadership in bringing running water to homes across the Navajo Nation, where one in three households lacks access to running water.

Growing up in a Navajo family that relied on hauled water, wash basins, and strict conservation practices, Yazzie learned early the cultural importance of not wasting water. It wasn’t until her family ran out of water that she fully understood the challenges many Navajo households face.

Yazzie led teams to deliver water systems to some of the most remote homes in the Navajo Nation, where traditional infrastructure is often unavailable. Understanding the deep traditional, cultural, and spiritual connections families have to their land, she and her team built trust by clearly explaining each step of the installation process. Using visuals, they demonstrated how 1,200-gallon cisterns, water pumps, and solar-powered systems would be installed, helping families envision the transformation.

These efforts brought life-changing access to water, creating memorable moments for homeowners and children witnessing new systems in their communities.

In her current role, Yazzie ensures that every project meets the highest standards of worker and community safety, prioritizing comprehensive training for employees working in rural areas.

Her work not only transforms lives by providing reliable water access but also strengthens cultural and spiritual connections to the land. The joy of seeing families turn on a faucet for the first time remains a career highlight for Yazzie.

Shanna Yazzie’s dedication to equitable water access and community-focused solutions has earned her a well-deserved place among the Hydro20 honorees.