To GWSC team

Dear AIT–GWSC Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well.

After thirteen deeply fulfilling years at the Gates Foundation—and nearly twenty-five years before that in the WASH sector—I have decided to begin a new chapter. I will retire from the Foundation at the end of this year and return to Nepal to spend more time with my family, especially my elderly mother.

When I joined the Foundation in 2012, the global sanitation agenda was still largely focused on toilet construction. The broader sanitation value chain was not yet fully recognized, viable service and business models were limited, andsafety considerations were often overlooked. At that time, NGOs were expected to deliver toilets for underserved communities, non-sewered sanitation received little attention, and fecal sludge management (FSM) systems were virtually nonexistent in South Asia. Development banks were understandably cautious about investing in inclusive and non-sewered sanitation solutions.

Together, we have witnessed—and helped drive—a remarkable transformation. Today, global discourse embraces inclusive, sustainable, and safely managed sanitation for all. Governments are investing substantially, the private sector is increasingly engaged, and development banks are channeling significant resources into inclusive sanitation. I am deeply proud that our collective efforts have contributed to shaping national policies, catalyzing the ADB Sanitation Trust Fund, and establishing initiatives such as the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS), the Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC), and various regional capacity platforms and networks. These initiatives are nurturing anew generation of sanitation leaders across Asia and Africa, with several cities now serving as learning hubs for inclusive sanitation.

Our partnership with AIT spans over 13 years, beginning with the Reinvented Toilet Grand Challenge. Beyond our collaboration on sanitation technology development, we have co-created impactful initiatives such as the FSM Toolboxand the South and Southeast Asia Utilities Twinning Program. Most recently, the establishment of the GWSC marks a major milestone in advancing the inclusive sanitation agenda and promoting transformative sanitation innovationsglobally.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the entire Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC) team at AIT for their remarkable achievements over the past two years. Your dedication to advancing inclusive and transformative sanitation across Asia has been truly inspiring. Through your leadership in capacity development, data-driven innovation, and strategic partnerships with development banks and governments, GWSC has become a catalyst for scaling Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) and non-sewered solutions, influencing over US $1.0 billion in sanitation investments. Your commitment to gender equity, innovation, and collaboration continues to strengthen theregional WASH ecosystem and brings us closer to achieving safe sanitation for all.

This success has also inspired new collaborations with other Program Strategy Teams at the Foundation. The Agriculture Team has already launched a program, and the Digital Public Infrastructure Team is finalizing its partnership. Several others have expressed strong interest in engaging with AIT, and I am confident that AIT will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation’s mission.

I am especially grateful to Prof. Sangam Shrestha and Prof. Thammarat Koottatep, Co-Directors of GWSC, for their vision and leadership in establishing the Center and guiding it toward excellence. My sincere appreciation also goes to Dr. Anat Arbhabhirama, Chair of the AIT Board of Trustees; Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto, former AIT President; and Prof. Pi-Chi Li, current AIT President, for their steadfast support in institutionalizing the GWSC.

I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to the entire GWSC team—Kavinda (former COO), Augus, Suchitra,Supaluck, Isha, Makfie, Hendra, Sanjiv, and many others—whose dedication and professionalism continue to inspire. I also deeply value the contributions of our partners—DPHE, ISPL, Dasra, Innpact, CDD, WASHi, CWAS, ITN BUET, GSGS, ENPHO, and many more—for their ongoing collaboration in strengthening the GWSC’s programs.

At the Foundation, I extend special thanks to Brian Arbogast, our former Director, and Doulaye Koné, our current Director, for their unwavering support of AIT over the past decade. I am also grateful to my colleagues Najib, Sakshi, and Melody, and to former WSH colleagues Danielle Pedi and Neelima, for their partnership and guidance in successfully implementing the GWSC grant.

Although I will soon step away from my formal role, my passion for this work remains undiminished. I look forward to continuing as a mentor and advisor—supporting innovation, policy development, and capacity building in the years ahead. As a member of the AIT Board of Trustees, I remain committed to the institution’s growth and excellence in all possible ways.

My final day with the Foundation will be December 31, 2025. I am working closely with the WSH leadership team—Doulaye, Najib, Sakshi, and others—to ensure a smooth transition. Sakshi Gudwani, who leads our programs in India and Asia, will continue to work closely with you.

Thank you all for your friendship, trust, and inspiration. It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside you toward our shared vision of inclusive and sustainable water and sanitation for all. I look forward to seeing many of you at the IWA Development Congress in Bangkok.

Please feel free to reach me at rrshrestha712@gmail.com starting January 1, 2026.

With sincere appreciation and warm regards,