Global Water Center was proud to participate in the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) Mentoring Program in 2025. This global initiative connects water professionals across regions, languages, and career stages to learn from one another and grow together.
Since launching in 2019, the program has connected more than 2,100 mentors and mentees across the water sector. In 2025, the program reached its largest cohort to date, with 488 participants from 81 countries. The mentoring program is designed to strengthen leadership, technical knowledge, and professional pathways across the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector.
Multiple Global Water Center team members volunteered as mentors for the program. Lisa Mitchell, Senior Director of Learning Services remarked, “Mentoring provides people with the ongoing support they need to put formal learning into action, and to overcome barriers to implementing effective WASH projects. The relationships developed as part of RWSN’s mentoring program far outlive the formal program and contribute toward building a strong and resilient sector able to serve more people more effectively.”
After the program, 100% of respondents said that mentoring helped them start or strengthen their work in their focus area. Many highlighted the value of connecting theory to real-world practice through trusted peer relationships. One mentee shared that the mentoring “very incredibly increased my know-how on… technologies, procedures, and community context,” while another described gaining confidence to design and implement systems.
In mentorship relationships that focused on solar powered water systems (SPWS), participants reported in-depth conversations centered on challenges and decision-making in the field. Mentors in this group also noted that the experience strengthened their own expertise. Overall, 100% of respondents in the SPWS group said they would recommend the mentoring program to colleagues, underscoring its relevance and effectiveness.
Supporting the RWSN Mentoring Program reflects our commitment to capacity development and collaboration. When water professionals are supported not only with tools and knowledge, but also with trusted relationships and shared learning, the entire sector becomes stronger and more resilient.
Our partnership with RWSN extends beyond participating in the mentorship program. Lisa Mitchell and Benjamin Filskov serve on RWSN’s executive board, and GWC continues to collaborate with RWSN across multiple initiatives to strengthen the water sector globally.
Together with RWSN and our partners, we are investing in the people who design, operate, and sustain water systems that keep communities healthy and water flowing for the long term.