What I've Learned In 20 Years Working At LifeStraw

What started as a three-year plan turned into two decades of unforgettable memories for Nancy Ogada, program manager of Give Back at LifeStraw.  

Her journey reminds us that real change happens when passion meets persistence. In this special Q&A, Nancy reflects on her proudest moments, the lessons learned along the way, and what continues to inspire her after 20 years of doing good. 

LS: Over your two decades at Vestergaard and LifeStraw, what have been the most significant milestones or accomplishments you've witnessed or been a part of within the company? 

NO: It feels like just yesterday when a young lady joined Vestergaard, LifeStraw's former parent company, planning to stay for only three years. But staying on has given me the chance to witness, and be part of, some truly remarkable milestones.   

The first was the Integrated Prevention Demonstration (IPD) campaign back with Vestergaard in 2008, in Lurambi Division, Kakamega, Kenya, whose goal was to prove that fighting diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, and malaria concurrently was not only possible but more effective. That experience changed everything for me - it made me realize that working with communities and transforming lives was what I truly wanted to do.    

When LifeStraw launched the Give Back Program, our retail funded program that provides safe drinking water to primary school kids, in 2014 in 301 primary schools with a total of over 150,000 children, I knew without a doubt this is where I want to be till the end. The program has now reached over 11 million children with safe water, and I am proud to have been part of that journey.    

My heart is full, and I walk with my chin up knowing that I have served. I have helped put smiles on kids' faces. And for me, that is everything.  

LS: Can you share some memorable moments or experiences that have defined your journey at LifeStraw and contributed to your professional growth? 

NO: Some of my most memorable moments have been during the installation of LifeStraw Community water purifiers in new schools. The look on the faces of children and teachers when they see the difference between the water they have been drinking and the safe filtered water from the LifeStraw Community, those reactions never get old. Every single time it feels new, rewarding, and emotional. 

I have also had the privilege of being part of the team that helped expand LifeStraw’s programs into new regions and countries. As a program manager, I have had countless opportunities to meet new partners and stakeholders, and each engagement has taught me something valuable, and contributed to my growth.  

Through these experiences, I have grown professionally and personally, learning to appreciate and adapt to different cultures and ways of life. The amazing and passionate colleagues, every new community, every partnership, and every smiling face has reinforced why I do what I do, and why I am still here, two decades later and counting. 

LS: What advice would you give to new employees joining LifeStraw, based on your extensive experience and insights gained over the past 20 years? 

NO: To new employees joining LifeStraw: this organization is not only different, but also special. It is a place where your mind and heart are constantly focused on impact; on the next implementation, the next hundred children you will reach, and the next smile you will help create.  When you join LifeStraw, you quickly find yourself wanting to roll up your sleeves and get to work. You realize that you don’t just work for LifeStraw; you work with LifeStraw. LifeStraw becomes your family.  

 There is so much fulfillment in knowing that every effort, every day, contributes to making the world a little healthier, safer, and happier.  Knowing that you will leave this planet better than you found it. You can only do this if you have passion and dedication. 

LS: Reflecting on your career at LifeStraw, what do you consider your proudest contributions or projects, and how have they impacted the company's mission and goals?  

NO: Over the years, I have had the privilege of playing a major role in nearly all of LifeStraw’s implementations, both here in Kenya and in other countries.  Reaching over 11 million children is not something easily understood from the outside. You must be part of it to see the impact firsthand, to truly grasp how meaningful it is.  Our work has not always been easy but has been fun and fulfilling. Expanding into new regions and securing approvals comes with challenges that test your patience and professionalism. But every hurdle we overcome reminds me that what we do truly matters, otherwise a weak heart would give up.   

I am especially proud to have contributed to programs such as Give Back, SafiCycle—our new period health program—and jigger interventions. Each initiative has touched lives in a unique way, reinforcing my belief that small, consistent efforts can create massive change.   

LS: As someone who has been with LifeStraw for two decades, what do you envision for the company's future, and how do you see yourself contributing to its continued success?  

NO: The belief in Doing Good is something few companies truly embrace, and it takes genuine passion to live by that. LifeStraw has both a dedicated team and exceptional leadership. When you have leaders who walk alongside their employees, who are compassionate, who care about families, and who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work, everything else falls into place. That is why I believe LifeStraw’s journey has no limits.   

At LifeStraw, everyone shares the same dream: to reach even more children with access to safe water and work tirelessly to make that dream a reality.  

LS: What aspects of LifeStraw's mission and products resonate most with you, and how have they inspired your dedication to the company over the years?  

NO: LifeStraw believes that everyone deserves equitable access to safe drinking water, and that it is a basic human right. This is a truth that every person in the world needs to understand and embrace.  

Every time I visit a new region or talk about our work, I do so with deep confidence and pride, especially when I speak about the LifeStraw Community water purifiers.  Success is visible in the millions of people reached, the rapid responses during emergencies, and the health facilities now equipped with safe water. No one is left behind.   

I can’t imagine working anywhere that doesn’t touch lives the way LifeStraw does. There is so much happening in the world, and the least we can do is make it a little easier for the most vulnerable. So many children look to us for help, for support, for hope, for love. And I am deeply grateful to be part of a company that gives all that, and more.  

LS: Finally, looking back at your journey with LifeStraw, what are some key lessons or insights you've gained that you'd like to share with your colleagues and industry peers on LinkedIn? 

NO: When you are doing good and impacting lives, time simply flies. You wake up one day, and it’s 20 years later.  I have learned that anything is possible when you put your heart and mind into it. It truly is possible to create a positive impact on both people and the planet. And when organizations and companies come together with a shared purpose, progress happens faster. Partnerships make the journey easier, stronger, and more effective.  Over the years, I have seen that team dedication, support, passion, good leadership, and open-mindedness are the real keys to success. Cheers, and see you in another two decades!