1. What first drew you to the water and sanitation sector, and what has kept you committed to it over the years?
My entry into the water sector around seven years ago was somewhat unexpected. With a background in International Relations and Communications, I had just returned from working in Rwanda and was seeking a role while pursuing my Master’s degree. Through professional networking, I had interacted with an HR professional working with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in East Africa (AHK) and the German Business Association. They were aware that Wilo was recruiting a Marketing and Communications Manager and encouraged me to submit my CV for consideration. After two rounds of interviews, I was offered the role, marking the beginning of a journey in the water sector.
What has kept me committed is both personal and professional. I am naturally driven and committed to the causes I engage with, but beyond that, the water sector itself is incredibly dynamic and impactful. My role allows me to work across strategy, partnerships, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. No week is the same, whether I am collaborating with engineers, engaging event organizers, travelling for work, visiting a site, or representing the organization in sector forums.
More importantly, access to water and sanitation is fundamental to human dignity, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Being able to contribute, even in a small way, to advancing solutions in this space is both motivating and purposeful.
2. The water sector is still largely male-dominated. What challenges did you face rising to leadership, and how did you navigate them?
One of my positive experiences has been working alongside colleagues who recognize both the gender gap and women’s potential to contribute meaningfully to leadership.
In many instances, male colleagues and leaders within my organization have been supportive in creating opportunities and encouraging my participation in spaces where women are traditionally underrepresented. In fact, my current top-tier mentor is male, and his guidance has been instrumental in helping me navigate leadership spaces, refine my strategic thinking, and grow professionally within the sector.
Working for an organization that actively supports women’s empowerment and leadership development has also been instrumental in this journey. For example, together with the Managing Director of Wilo Switzerland, I helped initiate a Gender Council within the organization to foster dialogue around gender equity, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. The initiative was well received across the organization, from the Board to colleagues at different operational levels, and created a platform for women across various continents of the organization to connect, share experiences, and build supportive professional networks. Through this council, we were able to encourage meaningful internal engagement on topics related to mentorship, gender inclusion, and leadership development.
At a personal level, I also carry a strong sense of responsibility. As someone who advocates for women’s empowerment, I am constantly aware that representation matters. I strive to perform with excellence not only for my own growth but also to demonstrate that women belong in leadership spaces and can lead with competence, innovation, and impact.
3. What leadership decision or initiative are you most proud of in your current role?
One initiative I am particularly proud of is helping establish the Gender Council within the organization. What started as a conversation with a colleague evolved into a recognized initiative supported by leadership, creating space for dialogue around gender inclusion and mentorship.
Another significant contribution has been advancing the sustainability agenda within the African context. When I joined, there were no dedicated sustainability personnel for the region. Through collaboration with colleagues across Wilo’s global network, and by aligning regional activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including initiatives such as Sustainability Week, I helped advance the conversations around sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. This work positioned me to contribute as a sustainability lead for the region and later participate in a job-shadowing program in Germany to further deepen my expertise.
Additionally, my role in Government and Public Affairs for the region enables me to build bridges between industry, governments, development partners, and academic institutions. Representing the organization in international forums and sector platforms allows me to leverage partnerships and networks for the organization and the African continent at large.
4. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain.” What have you given to the water sector through your leadership, and what does the sector gain from having more women in leadership?
For me, giving to the sector has taken the form of investing time, ideas, partnerships, and platforms that build capacity for the next generation of water professionals.
One area I am particularly passionate about is youth development and technical capacity building. Through partnerships facilitated by Wilo East Africa, we work closely with institutions such as the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) as well as development partners like the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, through their Dual Training Program. These initiatives provide practical exposure and skills development for young professionals entering the sector.
We also open our Assembly Plant and Academy to students, engineers, and consultants from institutions such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kiambu Polytechnic, for technical training and knowledge exchange.
Another impactful initiative has been facilitating collaboration between German Water Partnership and Wilo East Africa to train representatives from water utilities on improving pump efficiency. Improving pump efficiency directly addresses a critical challenge faced by utilities across Africa, high electricity costs. By optimizing pumping systems, utilities can deliver an adequate water supply while reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment.
5. What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the water and sanitation sector?
My advice is simple: the opportunities are immense, run towards them with your ideas.
Your passion project, the issue that truly matters to you, may very well become your career path and your contribution to the sector.
The water and sanitation sector is one of the most impactful fields a young professional can enter today. It intersects with engineering, policy, communications, sustainability, community development, and innovation.
For young women, I encourage them not only to look for opportunities but also to create them. Identify gaps within your community or society related to water access, sanitation, or hygiene, and ask yourself how you can contribute to solving them.
Do not wait for someone else to act. Be proactive. Seek partnerships, collaborate with institutions and organizations already working in space, and use your voice to advocate for change.
The water sector needs more women who are bold, innovative, and willing to lead solutions for the future.
#WomenWhoLeadinWASH: Christine Amira, Marketing & Sustainability Manager, WILO
1. What first drew you to the water and sanitation sector, and what has kept you committed to it over the years?
My entry into the water sector around seven years ago was somewhat unexpected. With a background in International Relations and Communications, I had just returned from working in Rwanda and was seeking a role while pursuing my Master’s degree. Through professional networking, I had interacted with an HR professional working with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in East Africa (AHK) and the German Business Association. They were aware that Wilo was recruiting a Marketing and Communications Manager and encouraged me to submit my CV for consideration. After two rounds of interviews, I was offered the role, marking the beginning of a journey in the water sector.
What has kept me committed is both personal and professional. I am naturally driven and committed to the causes I engage with, but beyond that, the water sector itself is incredibly dynamic and impactful. My role allows me to work across strategy, partnerships, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. No week is the same, whether I am collaborating with engineers, engaging event organizers, travelling for work, visiting a site, or representing the organization in sector forums.
More importantly, access to water and sanitation is fundamental to human dignity, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Being able to contribute, even in a small way, to advancing solutions in this space is both motivating and purposeful.
2. The water sector is still largely male-dominated. What challenges did you face rising to leadership, and how did you navigate them?
One of my positive experiences has been working alongside colleagues who recognize both the gender gap and women’s potential to contribute meaningfully to leadership.
In many instances, male colleagues and leaders within my organization have been supportive in creating opportunities and encouraging my participation in spaces where women are traditionally underrepresented. In fact, my current top-tier mentor is male, and his guidance has been instrumental in helping me navigate leadership spaces, refine my strategic thinking, and grow professionally within the sector.
Working for an organization that actively supports women’s empowerment and leadership development has also been instrumental in this journey. For example, together with the Managing Director of Wilo Switzerland, I helped initiate a Gender Council within the organization to foster dialogue around gender equity, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. The initiative was well received across the organization, from the Board to colleagues at different operational levels, and created a platform for women across various continents of the organization to connect, share experiences, and build supportive professional networks. Through this council, we were able to encourage meaningful internal engagement on topics related to mentorship, gender inclusion, and leadership development.
At a personal level, I also carry a strong sense of responsibility. As someone who advocates for women’s empowerment, I am constantly aware that representation matters. I strive to perform with excellence not only for my own growth but also to demonstrate that women belong in leadership spaces and can lead with competence, innovation, and impact.
3. What leadership decision or initiative are you most proud of in your current role?
One initiative I am particularly proud of is helping establish the Gender Council within the organization. What started as a conversation with a colleague evolved into a recognized initiative supported by leadership, creating space for dialogue around gender inclusion and mentorship.
Another significant contribution has been advancing the sustainability agenda within the African context. When I joined, there were no dedicated sustainability personnel for the region. Through collaboration with colleagues across Wilo’s global network, and by aligning regional activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including initiatives such as Sustainability Week, I helped advance the conversations around sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. This work positioned me to contribute as a sustainability lead for the region and later participate in a job-shadowing program in Germany to further deepen my expertise.
Additionally, my role in Government and Public Affairs for the region enables me to build bridges between industry, governments, development partners, and academic institutions. Representing the organization in international forums and sector platforms allows me to leverage partnerships and networks for the organization and the African continent at large.
4. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain.” What have you given to the water sector through your leadership, and what does the sector gain from having more women in leadership?
For me, giving to the sector has taken the form of investing time, ideas, partnerships, and platforms that build capacity for the next generation of water professionals.
One area I am particularly passionate about is youth development and technical capacity building. Through partnerships facilitated by Wilo East Africa, we work closely with institutions such as the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) as well as development partners like the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, through their Dual Training Program. These initiatives provide practical exposure and skills development for young professionals entering the sector.
We also open our Assembly Plant and Academy to students, engineers, and consultants from institutions such as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kiambu Polytechnic, for technical training and knowledge exchange.
Another impactful initiative has been facilitating collaboration between German Water Partnership and Wilo East Africa to train representatives from water utilities on improving pump efficiency. Improving pump efficiency directly addresses a critical challenge faced by utilities across Africa, high electricity costs. By optimizing pumping systems, utilities can deliver an adequate water supply while reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment.
5. What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the water and sanitation sector?
My advice is simple: the opportunities are immense, run towards them with your ideas.
Your passion project, the issue that truly matters to you, may very well become your career path and your contribution to the sector.
The water and sanitation sector is one of the most impactful fields a young professional can enter today. It intersects with engineering, policy, communications, sustainability, community development, and innovation.
For young women, I encourage them not only to look for opportunities but also to create them. Identify gaps within your community or society related to water access, sanitation, or hygiene, and ask yourself how you can contribute to solving them.
Do not wait for someone else to act. Be proactive. Seek partnerships, collaborate with institutions and organizations already working in space, and use your voice to advocate for change.
The water sector needs more women who are bold, innovative, and willing to lead solutions for the future.
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