Sonal Gaurishanker

Sonal Gaurishanker has a diverse work experience in the field of water and sanitation. Sonal started their career at The Energy and Resources Institute as a Research Trainee in 2009. Sonal then worked as a Research Officer at Tata Institute of Social Sciences from 2010 to 2011. In 2011, they served as a Research Associate (Consultant) at PIZO Consulting Engineers, where they assisted in compiling an Environmental Impact Assessment report.

From 2012 to 2012, Sonal worked as a Field Manager at the International Growth Centre & University of Virginia, where they assisted with field research and quantitative analysis for the Adoption of Water Saving Technologies project in Punjab, India. Sonal also managed teams and evaluated their performance.

In 2013, Sonal joined ICF International as a Research Associate, providing technical and analytical support for sanitation and septage management projects funded by the Asian Development Bank and GIZ. In the same year, they also started working at The World Bank as an Institutional Capacity Building Specialist (Consultant), where they provided technical services and managed the design and rollout of training manuals and materials.

At The World Bank, Sonal also worked as a Portfolio Consultant, providing portfolio monitoring and analytical support for a $23 billion portfolio. Sonal co-designed and managed a project management platform to track and monitor multi-lateral bank-funded projects.

In 2016, Sonal joined Water.org as a Senior Portfolio Manager for South Asia, where they designed and implemented financial inclusion programs for water and sanitation access. Sonal managed projects funded by USAID and Gap Inc. In 2019, they became the Senior Specialist, Advisory Solutions and Brazil Country Manager, overseeing project management and partnership development.

Currently, Sonal serves as the Head of Operations for Water.org and WaterEquity Alliance, leading the strategic and operational growth of their technical advisory services arm for investments in financial institutions and WASH infrastructure projects.

Sonal Gaurishanker completed their undergraduate education from St. Xavier's College between 2004 and 2007, earning a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Following that, they pursued a Master's degree in Environment and International Development from the University of East Anglia. The specific years for their postgraduate program were not provided.