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Sara Sarnoski

Deputy Director, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

Sara Sarnoski leads strategy, planning, and business operations for the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene team, working to ensure access to safe, inclusive sanitation for all.

Sara brings over 15 years of experience working to reduce inequities in health and opportunity as a scientist, leader, and strategic advisor. In a prior role at the Gates Foundation, she led efforts to shape the 2023 – 2028 Global Fund strategy, guiding US$4 billion per year in aid for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to 100+ countries.

Sara was also previously a strategic advisor in McKinsey & Company’s Global Social Sector Practice, where she advised ultra-high-net-worth individuals on the launch of new philanthropic entities; led efforts to shape 10+ public-private-social sector impact partnerships; and developed evidence-based social impact strategies to expand access to health care, promote gender equality, increase economic empowerment, and more. She has a proven track record in mentorship, leadership, and community service, receiving McKinsey & Company’s Inspirational Leadership Award, Yale University and the City of New Haven’s Seton Elm-Ivy Award for exemplary community service, and many other awards.

Sara earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience at Yale, where she also led science programs for students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

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