Growing up with a strong fear of water doesn’t typically lead someone to a career in coastal issues. However, after grappling with this fear during childhood in India, Vidya Balasubramanyam found the courage to pursue a career in coastal resilience and environmental advocacy in the U.S. In this episode, Vidya shares her personal journey and professional perspective. She discusses various options for building resilient shorelines in places like Illinois and New Hampshire. Vidya also delves into the impacts on communities of color and disadvantaged populations in coastal areas, along with strategies for bolstering their resilience. Vidya currently serves at the Coastal States Organization, and although she is not representing it in this interview, she provides insights into the organization's role in advancing resilience and offering solutions for vulnerable communities on the coast.This episode is part of the Color Of Water series, a collaboration between waterloop and the Water Hub that features interviews with diverse experts from communities across the country. Visit the Color Of Water directory.