Jamie (L) and Catherine (R): A committed mentor–mentee duo supporting growth in the WASH sector
Welcome to “Voices of Change,” a blog series dedicated to sharing the transformative stories of individuals who have participated in our Women in WASH Mentorship Program, in collaboration with the Rural Water Supply Network. Through the eyes of these emerging leaders, we witness the power of mentorship, cultural exchange, and professional growth within the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.
We invite you to explore these stories with us and join in celebrating the inspiring individuals who are shaping the future of WASH!
Empowering women’s journeys in WASH mentorship: Jamie & Catherine
Jamie’s Perspective
I have been doing water-related work through grad school and beyond for over 7 years and I never had an official mentor. I picked the brains of PhD students before me, but the conversations never lasted more than 15 minutes before we had to run in our busy days. I would hear of so-and-so who was working a fascinating job and I thought to myself, “how did they get there?” It was probably a mixture of thinking I could do it on my own and feeling shy that I never initiated a mentoring relationship with professionals ahead of me.
So, when I got a newsletter from RWSN about a Women in WASH mentorship program, I couldn’t sign up fast enough. I was at a crossroads in my career where I was navigating life after grad school and life as a new mom.
I was nervous for my first meeting with Catherine – I didn’t know what to expect! But immediately Catherine’s calm and kind demeanor put me at ease. We communicated expectations, got to know each other beyond work, and I dove right into questions for her.
Every month, I tried to come up with a theme of questions for Catherine. From job search to negotiations to networking, she always had a nugget of wisdom that I would write down for later. But if I’m honest, the best conversations with Catherine happened when I expressed a recent struggle at work or a decision I was weighing. She listened, asked follow-up questions to genuinely understand, and listened some more. I felt heard and understood by another woman in WASH who shared a schooling experience with me and had more years of professional experience under her belt. That was invaluable!
“I am so thankful Catherine took an hour every month to sit with me and hear me. She helped me process a job change and dream about where my career could take me. I could not recommend this program enough.”
A mentor’s perspective: Catherine on a mentorship journey with Jamie
When I signed up to become a mentor, I was particularly interested in supporting women working in the WASH sector. Since its founding in 2019, I’ve been an active member of the global Community of Women in Water and have benefitted enormously from connecting with and learning from other women. Having experienced the value of mentorship myself, I was keen to give back.
“When I met Jamie, I was immediately inspired by her commitment to creating change. I know the courage it takes to reach out for mentorship and to sustain that commitment over six months takes real dedication. While navigating early motherhood, Jamie was clear about what she needed to build a work–life balance that truly worked for her and her family.”
It might sound like a cliché, but from the start, I had the sense that Jamie already had everything she needed to reach her goals. From the outset, she was a strong advocate for herself and extended herself so much grace when things didn’t go exactly as planned. I saw my role as creating space: active listening, mirroring, and asking questions to aid reflection. Each month, I suggested an optional activity for in-between sessions, and together we explored both her immediate and longer-term goals.
Through this process, I learnt a lot about myself as a mentor. First, not to make assumptions – or be prescriptive – no matter how tempting it can be to try and offer ‘solutions.’ Second, to stay grounded and curious, even in moments of uncertainty about what to say. And finally, trusting the mentee’s own process. It was an immense privilege to accompany Jamie in this way and witness the shifts she made over time. Working with such a dedicated mentee has really inspired me to do more mentoring!
“I’m grateful for the experience and reminded of how powerful it is when women in our sector share with each other. I wish Jamie every happiness in the next stage of her journey.”