Essential City Care
MOBILE HYDRATION & STREET MAINTENANCE SPECIALISTS
Empowering Los Angeles through professional mobile hydration infrastructure and responsive deep-cleaning services designed for a healthier city.
Lived Experience
We are a community-led, employee-owned enterprise rooted in neighborly care, dedicated to keeping Los Angeles streets healthy, safe, and thriving through lived experience and professional excellence.
MISSION STATEMENT
Athena Sanitation is an employee-owned social enterprise that combines professional environmental services with workforce development and economic mobility. Athena's mission is to restore dignity to public spaces in underserved Los Angeles communities while creating pathways to stable employment, skill development, career advancement, and, ultimately, employee ownership. Through sanitation, illegal dumping and debris response, public-realm maintenance, and special-event services, Athena connects neighborhood improvement with economic opportunity. The organization prioritizes accessible employment pathways for residents facing barriers to work, including justice-impacted individuals.
Athena Sanitation provides environmental and public-realm services including deep cleaning and sanitation of public rights-of-way, alleys, and commercial corridors; illegal dumping and debris removal; maintenance of sidewalks, medians, and transit-adjacent areas; mobile hydration infrastructure for public events and outdoor worksites; workforce staffing; and community-based sanitation initiatives.
Athena's work is designed around neighborhood conditions and public-sector needs, with an emphasis on visible improvements to streets, public spaces, and community corridors.
WHO WE ARE
Athena Sanitation is an employee-owned social enterprise providing responsive sanitation and environmental services for cities, businesses, districts, event venues and communities across Los Angeles.
Our core capabilities include:
• Professional sanitation and cleanup services
• Illegal dumping and debris response
• Public-realm and street-furniture maintenance
• Workforce staffing and field operations
• Special-event sanitation support
• Mobile hydration infrastructure and operations
• Community-based sanitation programs
• Supplemental services for municipalities, BIDs, property owners and major events
Our model is straightforward: put trained people, appropriate equipment and accountable management where sanitation needs are greatest.
We are positioned to support Los Angeles as it prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while building a durable operating platform capable of serving municipalities and private-sector customers beyond 2028.
LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors
Wendy Bruget
Founder & Board Member
Wendy Bruget is the founder of Athena Sanitation, bringing 8 years of experience with Athens Services to her leadership of the company. Her background in the waste management industry has shaped Athena Sanitation’s approach to service and innovation, positioning the company as a trusted partner for municipalities and communities across the region. Based in Los Angeles, Wendy is committed to building a sanitation company that combines operational excellence with a strong community focus.
Louis Armando De Leon
Corporate Director, Operations & Strategic Development
Louis Armando De Leon is an attorney and former U.S. Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel with extensive experience in operations, government, organizational development, compliance, and leadership. His career spans the U.S. military, Anheuser-Busch, government, and international peace and security programs. He has led complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives; developed organizational systems and policies; and advised senior leadership across government and the private sector. At Athena Sanitation, De Leon brings operational leadership and strategic oversight to support company growth, regulatory compliance, partnerships, and execution of large-scale sanitation and public-space services.
Gary Clifford
Executive Vice President, Athens Services
Gary Clifford is the Executive Vice President of Athens Services, where he leads municipal partnerships, regional growth strategy, and sustainable waste reduction initiatives. Bringing over 40 years of local civic expertise, Gary is a dedicated community leader, serving as an elected member of the Glendora Unified School District Board and a past City Council member. Recognized as the 2022 Glendora Citizen of the Year, he remains committed to balancing corporate innovation with impactful public service.
Community Partners & Advisors
Bob Blake & Associates Inc.
Bob Blake & Associates Inc. is a community-driven benefits brokerage dedicated to advancing the public good. Led by four-term Los Angeles County Insurance Commissioner Bob L. Blake, our firm champions the financial security of working American families. We specialize in providing supplemental insurance and benefits communication tailored for public sector employees and non-profit organizations. By combining deeply personal care with electronic HR solutions, we protect the workforce that serves our local communities.
Ensuring our team members have the support and security they need to thrive as an employee-owned enterprise rooted in community support.
Eduardo Soriano-Hewitt
Community Policy Guide
Eduardo helps carry out our mission hand-in-hand with city neighbors to ensure services are fair and reach the families who need them most.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Wendy Bruget (Founder), Louis Armando De Leon (Director), Gary Clifford (Public Service Advisor).
ADVISORY PANEL: Bob L. Blake (Community Care), Eduardo Soriano-Hewitt (Policy & Engagement).
OUR LEGACY
24/7 Rapid Response
We deliver around-the-clock sanitation and maintenance for Los Angeles public spaces, addressing urgent health needs with speed and efficiency.
Care & Craftsmanship
Our specialists blend technical mastery with the genuine pride of locals caring for their own streets to ensure every public space truly shines.
Community Support
We empower justice-involved, unhoused, and underemployed Angelenos through career-path jobs and support to ensure shared community prosperity.
City Hydration Solutions
We partner with municipal outreach teams to provide critical mobile hydration infrastructure for emergency response and heat relief.