Michael “Mike” Webster is the Program Manager of the 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG). Appointed in August 2023, Mike leads WRG's mission to help governments, companies, and civil society address water risks impacting food, cities, and ecosystems. His role supports the World Bank’s growing emphasis on partnering with the private sector to advance water security, sanitation, and the achievement of water-related SDGs.

Under Mike’s leadership, WRG is building on its decade of success in public-private collaboration to further scale its impact globally. These efforts are geared towards developing a pipeline of innovative water security projects that can be scaled and replicated through World Bank financing and other funding mechanisms, unlocking substantial resources for sustainable, long-term impact in water security.

Before joining WRG, Mike served as the Executive Director of the Water and Sanitation Directorate for the City of Cape Town, South Africa, where he led the City’s response to the 2015-17 drought by implementing a comprehensive water security strategy. Under Mike’s leadership, the Directorate became the first utility in Africa to join the Leading Utilities of the World.

Prior to his role in Cape Town, Mike worked for the World Bank for 16 years as a water and sanitation specialist, based in Washington, DC, New Delhi, and Harare. He holds a degree in civil engineering from the University of Cape Town, an MSc in engineering from Loughborough University, and a master’s in public policy from Princeton University.

Rochi Khemka leads the global program and strategy implementation for WRG, focusing on advancing private sector solutions for water security.

Her portfolio includes leading WRG’s initiatives on water reuse and water-secure cities; managing WRG’s global governance structures, including the Governing Council and Steering Board; overseeing knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation; and supporting global partnerships with key stakeholders. She also drives the incubation of innovative financing mechanisms, economic instruments, and private sector participation models to achieve water and climate goals.

Rochi led and co-authored the World Bank’s Scaling up Finance for Water agenda, a strategic framework to mainstream private sector-led impact and financing. With a background in private sector development and financing, Rochi has worked across South Asia, East Asia, and Europe and Central Asia (ECA). She has developed various first-of-their-kind instruments and models, recognized for innovation in mobilizing financing and driving sustainability outcomes.

Before joining the World Bank, she worked with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), leading private sector investments in water, agriculture, and urban sustainability, with McKinsey & Company, advising clients on capital markets instruments and investment banking, and with various global banking players.

Rochi holds a Master’s in Financial Economics (with distinction) from the University of Oxford, UK.
 

Ajith Radhakrishnan leads WRG’s India program, fostering public-private partnerships and multi-stakeholder platforms to address water, agriculture, and climate challenges.

He has been instrumental in the UP Water Accelerator Program, a flagship initiative to address the water-agriculture-climate nexus by bringing together government, private sector, and philanthropic partners such as Microsoft, Bayer, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Under his leadership, the program has supported initiatives benefiting over 490,000 farmers through micro-irrigation and low-methane Direct Seeded Rice practices, scaling innovative solutions for climate-resilient farming. The Accelerator is set to impact 1 million small and marginal farmers by 2027.

His work has also driven the design and execution of innovative PPP projects, mobilizing $530 million in private capital in collaboration with the World Bank and IFC. Ajith’s efforts include pioneering initiatives such as the Green Growth Action Plan, Agri-Water Accelerator Program, and Water Reuse Crediting System, aligning water management with climate adaptation and mitigation goals.

With over 17 years of experience in international development, Ajith has advised on green growth strategies, climate-resilient development, and market-led innovation in South and Southeast Asia. His expertise spans adaptation investment prioritization, grants management, and delivering multi-phase programmatic technical assistance across the policy cycle.

Ajith holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University. His work continues to advance sustainable water management, resilience, and collaborative, large-scale interventions.

David Gachui Wanyoike joined WRG in 2023 as a Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, and leads water security initiatives across East Africa, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Kenya. He coordinates regional efforts addressing water security challenges by leveraging public private collaborations and structuring innovative financing mechanisms to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Prior to joining WRG, David served as Senior WASH Program Manager at the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), where he managed donor-funded water programs in Kenya for eight years. He led initiatives financed by the EU, FCDO, USAID, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. David successfully structured localized public-private partnerships to enhance water resilience, with many of these innovations later adopted into Kenya’s policy guidelines and laws. He was also involved in providing transaction advisory and technical assistance for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in water and sanitation infrastructure.

David’s earlier roles involved structuring blended finance initiatives for water supply with the World Bank Global Department for Water. He also consulted with Economic Consulting Associates on similar water initiatives, and in advising SADC energy regulators on valuation models. With over 17 years of experience in development-oriented and private sector organizations, his expertise spans program management, private sector engagement, and structuring innovative financing solutions.

David holds an MBA in Finance and a certification in Climate and Renewable Energy Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. He brings a wealth of experience to WRG, contributing to impactful collaborations that improve water resilience and service delivery in East Africa.

Md Mahady Hassan serves as the Country Coordinator for the WRG Bangladesh program, where he oversees multi-stakeholder partnerships and initiatives aimed at sustainable water resource management. Since 2023, he has led efforts to address water-related challenges, including ecological restoration, wastewater management, and integrated water resources management (IWRM).

Prior to his current role, Mahady was a Workstream Lead for the WRG Bangladesh program from 2019 to 2023. His portfolio included projects on water-resilient production practices, ecological restoration of Dhaka’s rivers and canals, volumetric water allocation for industrial use, circular economy approaches to riverine plastic pollution, and wastewater management. He also contributed to the development of the Jamuna Economic Corridor and coordinated emergency WASH support across Bangladesh.

With over 20 years of experience, Mahady has worked with organizations including the World Bank, IFC, SDC, Water Footprint Network, and BRAC, leading water sustainability initiatives in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, the Netherlands, Kuwait, and Mongolia. His expertise spans stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, and public-private partnership (PPP) facilitation, with a focus on fostering blended financing opportunities for the water sector.

Mahady holds a master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning with distinction. His academic and professional background positions him as a key contributor to advancing water security and environmental sustainability through innovative partnerships.

Since 2024, Ilyas Zhukenov has coordinated the initiation of the WRG program in Kazakhstan, establishing a Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) with the support of key government ministries. His work focuses on addressing national water challenges and fostering collaboration among public, private, and civil society stakeholders. He is currently engaged in convening stakeholders around water and wastewater sector projects and, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank’s Global Water Department, supporting the Government of Kazakhstan in developing a roadmap to enhance infrastructure development and ensure access to high-quality water and wastewater services.

In addition to his role in Kazakhstan, Ilyas is supporting the initiation of the Uzbekistan MSP to implement the Water SAP recommendations, mobilize private capital, and identify opportunities for impactful interventions.

Ilyas’s professional background spans public and private sectors, with experience in water security, environmental management, and industrial processes. As Deputy CEO at QazMunayHim LLP, he specialized in petrochemical production and industrial wastewater treatment. In the public sector, he has held leadership roles in the President’s Executive Office, the Security Council, and the Ministry of Energy, addressing issues such as water security, transboundary water diplomacy, climate change, renewable energy, and waste management.

Ilyas holds advanced degrees in Economics, Finance, and Public Administration, providing a strong foundation for his work in integrating water resource management with broader environmental and economic priorities.

Mansoor Kabir has been with the World Bank Dhaka Office since 2000, joining the WRG team as Program Assistant in February 2021. He provides administrative, operational, and client support to both WRG and the World Bank Global Water Department.

A Bangladeshi national, Mansoor previously worked as IT Help Desk Coordinator and supported the Water and Sanitation Program–South Asia from 2007 to 2016. He has since focused on operational support for water-related initiatives within the World Bank and WRG.

Mansoor holds a master’s degree in Development Studies from American International University–Bangladesh.

Alida, a Dutch national with Thai/Vietnamese heritage, brings over two decades of experience in international development communications. Since 2014, she has led global communications for the 2030 Water Resources Group Multi-Donor Trust Fund, focusing on profiling partners and facilitating collaborative efforts. Alida’s career includes roles such as Communications Manager at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, as well as positions with the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and the UNESCO Bangkok Regional Bureau for Education. She holds a journalism degree from Fontys University, Tilburg, and began her career as a journalist at the Bangkok Post. Outside work, Alida is a member of the SIWI Scientific Program Committee for the annual Stockholm World Water Week and serves on the board of “We Are Family,” a Washington D.C.-based elderly outreach organization.

Anurika Azubuike recently joined WRG, where she leads the implementation of a comprehensive communications strategic roadmap, ensuring alignment with the trust fund’s goals and stakeholder priorities. In her role, she advances WRG’s mission to address global water challenges through effective communication and by fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Anurika joined the World Bank Group in January 2020 as part of the Africa Communications team at the International Finance Corporation (IFC). There, she led communications initiatives supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen and diversify its vibrant private sector. Her work effectively positioned IFC’s projects and objectives within the region.

Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Anurika served as the Group Accounts Director and Lead Consultant for MSL Group, a global public relations consultancy, where she managed operations in Nigeria. In this role, she led a team of public relations and communications experts, overseeing the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies for a diverse portfolio of clients across various sectors, including initiatives with a focus on sustainability and stakeholder collaboration.

Anurika holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Leicester and a bachelor’s degree in Communication. With extensive experience in strategic communications—particularly in sustainability and development-focused initiatives—she brings a unique perspective to advancing the global water agenda. Her approach blends strategic insights with a passion for supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ekaterina Maria Ghosh (Katya) is a Junior Professional Associate at 2030 WRG, where she has supported WRG’s global program and flagship initiatives on water reuse and water-secure cities since November 2024.

A native of New York City, Katya holds three nationalities: American, Canadian, and Russian. Before joining WRG, she worked with the OECD as part of the Secretariat facilitating the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW). In this role, she led research tracks on water finance, innovation, and governance for the GCEW's final report and recommendations. She also fostered partnerships with key stakeholders and supported the Secretariat in coordinating the GCEW Co-Chairs, Commissioners, and numerous external knowledge partners.

During her master’s studies in France, Katya built a diverse professional portfolio spanning the public and private sectors, working at the intersection of sustainable development, climate policy, and data analytics. Her experience includes interning at Kayrros, an environmental intelligence startup specializing in satellite imagery data for regulatory and private sector clients. She also consulted for the International Advisory Group, a Dubai-based boutique consulting firm that collaborates with MENA public sector clients to advance sustainability and government reform in the region. Additionally, she interned with the OECD’s International Programme for Action on Climate (IPAC) team, where she co-authored the publication GHG Emission Trends and Targets, which establishes a methodology for harmonizing countries' 2030 mitigation targets outlined in their NDCs.

Katya holds a B.S. in Finance with a minor in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University, USA, and a Master’s in Economics for Smart Cities and Climate Policy from École Polytechnique, France.

Muhammad Rizki Rayani Ramadani (Rayan) is a Junior Professional Associate at the 2030 Water Resources Group. Since January 2025, Rayan has been supporting the trust fund's work on global partnerships, governance, knowledge management, and monitoring and evaluation.

An Indonesian national, Rayan is a trained urban and regional planner specializing in urban-regional infrastructure systems and environmental planning. He brings over four years of experience leading 11 Public-Private Partnership preparation studies across Indonesia in the water, wastewater, and waste sectors. His portfolio encompasses diverse advisory projects in environmental planning and urban livability.

Rayan has conducted research on nature-based solutions and green housing for the Asian Development Bank's Green Solutions for Livable Cities program in Central and West Asia, examined the effectiveness of localizing Sustainable Development Goals at Indonesia's sub-national level with UCLG-ASPAC, and studied biodiversity management in Leticia, in the Colombian Amazon, with the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative.

Rayan holds a Bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the Institut Teknologi Bandung in Indonesia and a Master’s in City Planning with a dual concentration in International Development Planning and Environmental Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.