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A Circle of Gratitude

A collection of notes from colleagues whose lives and work have intersected with his—shared gratitude, memories, and wishes as he steps into his next chapter.

With Gratitude and Pride: A Journey of Partnership and Purpose – Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha

As Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha embarks on a new chapter beyond the Gates Foundation, we reflect on his remarkable journey as a pioneer and a tireless champion for global sanitation.

With Gratitude and Pride: A Journey of Partnership and Purpose – Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha

As Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha embarks on a new chapter beyond the Gates Foundation, we reflect on his remarkable journey as a pioneer and a tireless champion for global sanitation.

Dr. Roshan Raj Shrestha – an inspiring leader with endless energy, co-founder of the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS), strategic adviser, a genuine partner, and great friend – leaves an indelible mark.

It is difficult to encapsulate Roshan’s profound impact in just a few words. For years, he has been a driving force in the Foundation’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WSH) program, advocating tirelessly for the billions of people worldwide who lack access to safe sanitation. He has been a beacon in our collective journey toward a sanitation revolution, possessing a rare blend of technical expertise and a heartfelt understanding of the human need for dignity and health. His contributions extended beyond funding projects; they were about fostering an entire ecosystem of sustainable change. He leaves a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and, most importantly, tangible progress.

Perhaps one of his most enduring achievements, and one that resonates deeply with all of us, is his vision and leadership in establishing the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Roshan recognized that to create lasting change, we needed to invest in the next generation of sanitation leaders, engineers, and policymakers. He helped build a platform, in partnership with institutions like IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and others, to provide high-quality education and research opportunities in faecalsludge management and non-sewered sanitation. This work was later embedded within the City-wide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) initiative, an approach he helped bring from the fringes to the mainstream global agenda. Thanks to Roshan and colleagues, CWIS is now recognized as a critical component of comprehensive sanitation solutions, and as such represents a backbone of the GSGS. The thousands of students who have passed through the GSGS, and those who will follow, are a testament to his foresight. They are his living legacy, carrying his vision forward to make the world a healthier place.

Roshan is a perfect example of how “one star changes its place but not its brightness.” He is stepping into a new phase of life, but we know his passion will remain undimmed. His influence will continue to light the path for the sanitation sector for decades to come.

Roshan, your dedication, your warmth, and your relentless pursuit of a better world have inspired us all. Thank you for your leadership, mentorship, and friendship, and for everything you did for GSGS. We are thrilled to continue having you as an active member of our Governing Board and Strategic Advisor. We wish you all the very best in this new chapter of your life. May it be filled with joy, new adventures, and continued impact.

Cheers to you, Roshan!

Global Sanitation Graduate School

Wow, big news! Wishing you all the best with this transition. Thank you for being such a kind and welcoming colleague for so many years, you will be greatly missed!

Kate Abbott, Gates Foundation

It’s sad to see you go, but it was wonderful meeting you. You are such a kind and happy soul. I am sure you made this decision after much consideration and it will be the best for you and your family. Please keep in touch, and hopefully, our paths will cross again. Whenever I visit Nepal, I will reach out to you. Wishing you all the very best.

Neelam Chamoli, Gates Foundation

CONGRATULATIONS, ROSHAN!!! While I’ve of course known for a while, I’m very happy for you to be reaching this milestone, for you to be able to go back to Nepal with your family soon, and for the great work that I’m sure you’ll keep leading in the sector. ❤

Sara Saranoski

Thank you for always being so kind. All the best to you!

Luisa Chekrygin
Oh, how we will miss you! How lucky we have all been to work with you and know you. You are truly a superstar!
Amanda Lanzarone
You should be rightfully proud of all that you have accomplished while with the Foundation. Building an impressively large and impactful WSH program with ADB remains the example and inspiration for what the two organizations can get done together.
Bart Edes, ADB
Your warmth, kindness and passion for the sector made many wonder if they were doing enough! I am one of them! Your conviction for change is contagious! I aspire to remain as kind and as firm as you are as I grow with the sector.
Anindita Mukharji
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt note and for your extraordinary contributions over the past 13 years. Your leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to advancing equitable water and sanitation solutions have left an indelible mark on the field and on all of us fortunate enough to work alongside you.
Andrea Voytko, Gates Foundation
You have achieved much at Gates and beyond and I truly admire you, your optimism, commitment and integrity.
Suneeta Krishnan
You will be deeply missed. Wishing you all the very best in this next chapter of your journey.
Sanjeeta Bhola
It has been an absolute pleasure to know you and work with you. You are an amazing human being and a wonderful colleague. You always make time to connect on a human level and make others feel important. I am so grateful for that.
Amsale Mengistu
I’m going to miss you, but I know once a BHAI, always a BHAI and I now have a home in Nepal that I can travel to. With loads of love and hope to see you soon.
Eileen Berkeley
Your presence has been so inspiring both at work and outside of it. But I am happy for the next chapter of your life, knowing you I am sure you will bring your amazing energy to whatever you do.
Ankita Bhatia
What an incredible career you have had, and an impressive legacy you leave behind.
Padmini Srikantiah
The foundation will not be the same without you.
Amrita Sekhar, Gates Foundation
I am so sorry to read this news about your retirement (both for myself, the Foundation, and all the communities we serve) but also so happy and thrilled that you are excited about the next chapter.
Jason Chau, Gates Foundation
You leave behind not only a remarkable legacy at the Foundation but also an impact that resonates across the globe. You have not just contributed to the sector: you have transformed countless individual lives, including mine.
Naveen Shrestha, Nepal Rising
It is not the number of years that measures impact, but the depth of purpose, the courage to dream beyond convention, and the ability to turn vision into lasting reality. Through visionary leadership at the Gates Foundation, ambition became action, innovation became policy, and ideas became human progress.
Sanjaya Adhikary, Ministry of Water Supply, Nepal
It was an honor to work with you.
Jen Driscoll
Absolute honor to know you and walk some path with you. My only regret is I spent less time with you.
Devendra Khandait
You have changed the way countries, cities, and partners think and act on sanitation, bringing political attention, stronger institutions, and real investment where it matters most. You are a true legend in this field.
Jingmin Huang, ADB
You will be deeply missed, please, please stay in touch, fellow awardee.
Cambrie Nelson