WaterFinns is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! To mark this milestone, we have interviewed people who have been involved in the association’s activities over the years.
In our second anniversary interview, Anh Thu Tran Minh reflects on her years with WaterFinns, the leadership experience that shaped her career, and her hopes for the association’s future.
How long were you involved in WaterFinns, and what roles did you hold?
I joined WaterFinns as a member in 2004. I later served as Chair of the Board from 2006 to 2009. Those four years were important to me, both professionally and personally.
What did your involvement in WaterFinns mean to you personally?
It was an empowering and rewarding experience. WaterFinns gave me a stronger sense of belonging and acceptance in Finland, as well as the encouragement to overcome fears and prejudices I had encountered. It was much more than a professional opportunity: it supported my personal growth, strengthened my confidence and helped me recognise my own capabilities.
What did you learn through your leadership role?
Before becoming Chair, I had limited formal leadership experience. WaterFinns gave me practical experience in leading an organisation of professionals, running meetings, working with a board, and managing activities with the support of skilled colleagues. I learned that management is about doing things right, while leadership is about doing the right things. I also learned the value of teamwork, good cooperation, sound financial management and strong professional networks. Throughout my years as Chair, WaterFinns’ administrative overheads remained below 2 per cent, and I believe they have stayed at a low level throughout the organisation’s history. This is something we can all be proud of, as it means that most of the funds raised go directly to projects.
How did WaterFinns affect your career?
My involvement gave me the confidence to apply for more demanding positions. In 2009, I became Managing Director of Slamex Ltd, a Finnish company specialising in wastewater treatment technology. WaterFinns also helped me build a strong network in the water sector. The leadership experience, international cooperation and professional contacts I gained through the association clearly supported my career development.
Were you involved in WaterFinns projects?
During my years as Chair, WaterFinns had four or five projects running at the same time. I did not travel to the project countries, but I took part in project development, supervision and reporting from Finland. The project managers led the day-to-day work of project implementation, while experienced water-sector professionals provided technical guidance and shared their expertise.
What are your most memorable experiences from those years?
Some of my strongest memories relate to fundraising. We brought handicrafts from Mali to Finland and sold them to support the work. We also organised fundraising dinners, including an event at Suomenlinna with a fashion show, live music and around two hundred guests. These events required a great deal of teamwork, but they were also enjoyable and rewarding, and they brought people together around a shared purpose.
What were the main challenges?
The work naturally included stressful moments, particularly when funding applications and project reports had to meet strict deadlines. However, no single difficulty stands out above the positive experiences. Looking back, I remember the cooperation, learning and shared achievements more strongly than the pressure.
How do you see WaterFinns’ role in the water and development cooperation sectors? WaterFinns has a unique operating model. It entrusts younger professionals with project management and other demanding responsibilities while ensuring that they can draw on the support, technical knowledge, and practical experience of more experienced water-sector professionals. This enables knowledge transfer between generations and combines professional expertise with voluntary commitment. This approach is exemplary and deserves to be adopted by other organisations whenever the opportunity arises.
How would you like WaterFinns to develop in the future?
There is a growing need for WaterFinns’ work, both in the water sector and in development cooperation. I would like to see stronger cooperation with the private sector. WaterFinns could help Finnish companies explore new markets through market research, partner search, feasibility studies, business planning and environmental assessments, while projects could provide opportunities to pilot suitable technologies in partner countries. This could support
sustainable trade, create jobs and generate resources for expanding WaterFinns’ activities without changing its non-profit purpose.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I wish WaterFinns continued success in its activities and projects. I hope it will continue to bring professionals together, support younger experts and contribute to practical solutions in the water sector.
