March 3 | Argyros Forum 209

The Grand Challenges Initiative hosted an insightful and timely conversation with Camille Touton, former Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, who brought her firsthand experience managing water in the American West to Chapman University. The talk centered on how leaders navigate high‑stakes decisions when information is incomplete and the consequences are far‑reaching.

Touton used Western water management—particularly during periods of historic drought—as a vivid case study for decision‑making under uncertainty. The session explored “how leaders make consequential decisions when information is incomplete, risks are evolving, and outcomes affect millions of people.” She discussed the realities of working with competing interests, the necessity of collaboration across states and agencies, and the challenge of moving forward responsibly when “there are no perfect answers.”

Students, faculty, and community members filled Argyros Forum 209 for the afternoon event, which blended policy insight, leadership reflection, and real‑world problem‑solving. Overall, the session offered a compelling look at leadership in crisis, highlighting how resilience, transparency, and cooperation shape effective responses to complex environmental challenges.

Click here for the event recording.