What impact has your recent work led to that you are most proud of?
We are proud to be a Canadian organization that has grown far beyond our roots, expanding into new regions and markets, and earning the trust of governments and partners around the world. What began as a commitment to excellence in international development has evolved into a globally recognized firm with deep footprints across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.

One of the achievements we are most proud of is our deliberate and sustained focus on Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). This isn't a recent addition to our work. it's been a cornerstone of how we design and deliver programs for years. That deep integration has opened doors, including recognition from partners like Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), validating that our approach resonates globally.

Perhaps most importantly, we've built an exceptional and diverse team. Our people are our greatest asset, and as we grow, we continue to attract talent that works at the intersection of complex development challenges: systems change, climate resilience, gender equality, economic inclusion, and more. That versatility allows us to bring a uniquely integrated lens to the problems that matter most.

What challenges and barriers are you working on addressing? 
At Cowater, we believe that lasting change begins with understanding the local context deeply. We invest heavily in the design phase of every initiative; conducting thoughtful scoping exercises and meaningful consultations to ensure our solutions reflect genuine local needs and root causes, not just surface symptoms. Partners and local voices are integral to that process from the start.

The challenges we tackle are interconnected. Poverty cannot be addressed through a single lens, which is why we work across sectors; health, education, economic opportunity, and beyond. We're increasingly exploring how trade facilitation, innovative finance, and market systems approaches can complement more traditional development tools. Whether supporting post-crisis recovery, strengthening fragile systems, or building resilient livelihoods, we look for the intervention points where sustained impact is possible. The complexity of these problems demands exactly the kind of cross-sectoral, evidence-informed thinking that defines our work.

What is your call to action for our membership? 

Complex development challenges require coalitions. No single organization has all the answers. We believe the private sector brings unique value to development: speed, innovation, market access, and accountability for results. But that value multiplies when we work alongside others.
We'd love to connect with CAFIID members who share these ambitions. Whether through joint proposals, shared learning, or informal collaboration, we're eager to explore how Cowater and fellow members can create value that none of us could achieve alone. If you're working at the intersection of development, trade, or finance. Let's talk.

What are you looking forward to in the coming months?

We're excited about the frontier of innovative finance. Diaspora finance, outcome-based financing models, and blended finance structures are opening new possibilities for mobilizing capital toward development outcomes; and we want to be at the forefront of that evolution.
We're also energized by the growing convergence of trade and development, and by emerging partnership models that bring together governments, the private sector, and civil society in new ways. These approaches hold real promise for scale and sustainability.
Most of all, we look forward to continuing the conversations, at CAFIID events and beyond, that turn ideas into partnerships and partnerships into impact. We invite members to connect with us and explore what's possible together.