Lauren is the Innovations and Insights Manager at Safe Water Network.
Lauren Cuscuna, MPA
I am the Innovations and Insights Manager at Safe Water Network, an organization that builds clean water stations in Ghana and India. The greatest challenge to decentralized water stations is poor access to routine maintenance, which has rendered many water stations outside urban areas defunct and has deprived many of access to clean water. Safe Water Network has developed a model which addresses these issues through centralised field maintenance of these water stations.
My role at Safe Water Network is to assess and analyse the financial sustainability of their water stations: developing actionable analyses and strategies to enhance station performance and sustainability. I attribute my data and financial analysis skillset to the years I spent at the SPP, where I was able to take courses on these subjects. My enrolling at the SPP also led to my summer internship at Acumen Fund in Ghana, which was an invaluable contribution to my understanding of social finance. These opportunities allowed me to build on my previous experience working in program management for social enterprises. For example, before coming to LSE I worked in Uganda to design a rainwater collection system and develop economic empowerment programs within the same community.
I chose to join the SPP at LSE because of their reputation for quantitative analysis, the dedication to understanding theoretical frameworks in addition to case studies, and for opportunities in individualised study such as the MPA Policy Paper – for which I won the Lloyd F. Gruber Prize. In addition to these benefits, I also formed an incredible network of like-minded individuals who have added to both my personal and professional development.
My experience at LSE led to the career I have today, which inspires both my passion and intellect. It is one of the most rewarding roles I have had thus far.
Lauren is happy to connect via LinkedIn.