Her Story
About Kristal
Kristal Castrejon serves as Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO at San Jose Water, bringing more than a decade of experience in customer service, executive administration, and public utilities. Over the past 10 years with San Jose Water, she has progressed from Customer Service Representative to Executive Assistant, Executive Assistant to the CEO, and ultimately Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO. In her current role, she supports the CEO of parent company H2O America, its Board of Directors, and the President of subsidiary San Jose Water, while coordinating executive operations, company-wide initiatives, complex projects, and employee engagement activities. Her bilingual customer-service background has remained an important part of her commitment to serving and educating others.
Kristal's professional growth has been shaped by a strong work ethic, practical experience, and a commitment to service. After beginning her career in the insurance industry, she transitioned into customer service, where she found an opportunity to use her bilingual skills to assist and educate members of the community. Although she completed three years of college without earning a degree, Kristal credits her determination, professional experience, and willingness to learn with helping her advance throughout her career. Her accomplishments include contributing to major organizational initiatives, supporting executive and board operations, coordinating large-scale events, and helping bring together people and teams across the organization. She was recently honored with the Administrative Public Service Excellence Award for the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Kristal demonstrates a strong commitment to service in her community. For the past three years, she has volunteered more than 100 hours annually as the lead traffic coordinator at her son's school, helping promote safety and organization for students and families. She credits her success to the encouragement and belief of her family, particularly her mother, whose support has helped guide her through important stages of her career. As a proud Latina professional, Kristal is passionate about representation, resilience, and creating opportunities for others. Her advice to young women entering the industry is straightforward and empowering: always bet on yourself.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family, whose unwavering support and belief in me have been a constant source of strength throughout my journey. My mother, in particular, had a profound influence on me as the head of our household while I was growing up. Watching her work hard, persevere through challenges, and provide for our family taught me the importance of resilience, determination, and commitment. Today, my son and my family continue to inspire me to strive for excellence and pursue my goals. I am deeply grateful for their encouragement, their confidence in me, and the foundation they have given me to grow both personally and professionally.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to always bet on yourself. Even when you feel scared, uncertain, or doubt whether you have all the qualifications, believe in your abilities and be willing to take the opportunity. You may not always recognize your own potential, but someone else may see strengths and possibilities in you that you have not yet recognized in yourself. Trust your experience, continue learning, and do not allow self-doubt to prevent you from pursuing opportunities that can help you grow.
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