2020 LEADer Sajina Kalikote completed her higher studies in business management from DAV College. She plans to study sales and marketing and pursue a career in digital marketing. She enjoys reading novels and is interested in photography and videography in her spare time. Sajina believes in breaking down gender stereotypes and positively impacting the world.
2022 LEADer Sinora Rai is a Program Intern at Women LEAD Nepal. She recently graduated from Omega International College and plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in community development. Sinora is determined to contribute to society and likes to make people around her comfortable with her jolly personality.
2022 LEADer Aahana Shakya is a Program Intern at Women LEAD Nepal. She completed highschool at St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School and wants to pursue a career in program management. Aahana likes to take business initiatives and enjoys coordinating tasks. In her free time, she likes to explore places and stay active.
Hima is the Executive Director of Women LEAD Nepal, a feminist organization based in Nepal. She identifies as a fierce feminist fueled by an unbridled passion to build an inclusive society bereft of all forms of gender-based violence. She actively advocates for gender rights through Dignified Menstruation, and Rage Against Rape. Hima has 21 years of experience working in the development sector, she has been the Managing Director at Possible | Nyaya Health Nepal, designing strategies and overseeing implementation to improve healthcare for underserved communities. She was also the Head of Human Resources at DFID Nepal (UKAID) for 6 years.
Hima received her MBA from Kathmandu University, School of Management, and her MPhil in English from the Institute of Advanced Communication, Education and Research (IACER) in Nepal. She is also the Co-Founder of Achaar Ghar: House of Pickles, Kitchen Recipe and is the Executive Board Member at the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN).
Dr. Robyn is an Asia-based leadership specialist who has worked with individuals, teams, and organizations across Asia and the Middle-east. A long-time supporter of Women LEAD, Robyn is passionate about championing young women. Australian by background, Robyn is a lover of the outdoors and the mountains of Nepal.
Yvonne Lau is a Hong Kong-based journalist covering Asian financial markets; and culture and society in China, Russia, Nepal.
Nepal has made an immense impression upon Yvonne — particularly the strength, resilience, and outlook of its women and girls. She joined Women LEAD to support programs that build up girls’ development and education in leadership and politics. As an Ambassador, Yvonne hopes to advance the conversation on the role of women and girls in society.
She is also passionate about peacebuilding, community connections, and sustainability. When in Nepal, Yvonne can be found in the mountains and villages, with hot rum punch and momos in hand.
Niki is based in Hong Kong working in the tech industry.
Niki has a passion for women’s equality and assisting in paving a path for people to reach their full potential. She has experience in volunteering in Nepal and other parts of the world to provide resources for women and help businesses become sustainable. As an Ambassador, Niki aims to break social stigmas and fight for women’s rights in Nepal.
Her hobbies also include advising young entrepreneurs to grow their business. For fun, Niki likes to attend open mic nights to take a stab at stand up comedy.
Apsana 2019 LEADer Apsana is the Vice President of the WomenLEAD Nepal Board. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in arts and law at Kathmandu School of Law. For the past three years, she has been a general member and mentor at WomenLEAD Nepal.
Her vision at WomenLEAD Nepal is to reach various parts of the nation and benefit young girls in Nepal. Beyond that, she passionately advocates for gender equality, regularly engaging in workshops and conferences to drive positive change. She aims to be in a policy-making position and fix loopholes in the judiciary.
2019 LEADer Anjali Sah is the Secretary of the Women LEAD Nepal Board. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in arts and law at Nepal Law Campus, T.U. At WLEAD, she has been a mentor and served as the vice secretary of the Nepal Board during her last tenure. She completed her community project “DidiBahini” in Madhesh province regarding child rights with four other members as one of the Sujata Baskota Changemaker Awardees 2020. As an intersectional Madheshi feminist, she is driven by the belief that “Being Aware is one step towards having a voice.” Her advocacy extends beyond legal equality, encompassing a commitment to socio-cultural equality for all. Her Vision for WLEAD is to have a space where every voice is heard and valued.
Rakshya Khadgi (she/her) identifies as an intersectional feminist. She is currently pursuing a BA in Psychology and Anthropology. Her work and advocacy encompasses fields of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Comprehensive Sexuality Education, queer issues, mental health, and inclusivity. She embarked on her Women LEAD journey as a 2018 LEADer. She has remained actively engaged, contributing as an intern, volunteer, and mentor, including as a board member in the previous term. Her vision for Women LEAD is to transform it into a stepping stone of leadership development for young girls and women, ensuring inclusivity across various socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and other diversities.
I love to explore, delving into diverse perspectives, global cultures, and the hidden beauties of the world. My passion extends to a constant quest for positive change wherever it’s needed. With a deep-seated desire to contribute to a better world, I focus on uplifting young women to take the lead. Women Lead Nepal is the perfect avenue to translate these beliefs into impactful actions.
Timila Maharjan is an undergraduate student of Social Work and Journalism at Dibyabhumi Multiple College, affiliated with Tribhuvan University. She identifies herself as an enthusiastic, confident, humble, and determined young woman who believes in giving back to the community. She completed a year-long LEAD course from Women LEAD Nepal. Later, she worked as a Program Trainee in this organization for a year and is a recent graduate of another flagship program of the organization called Young Women’s Political Leadership Institute (YWPLI). Currently she is working as a Creative Head at Falsebug Technology. Along with being politically aware, she believes that one should also have meaningful participation in politics.
Swastika is a recent law graduate from Kathmandu University, where she earned a double degree in Business Management and law. She joined Women LEAD in 2020 as a YWPLC fellow and has since been a mentor and general member of the organization. She identifies as a feminist and aims to work in a field that amalgamates gender, law, and human rights. She firmly believes in Women LEAD’s vision of a better world where women leaders co-create the future.
Erika is an international development and foreign policy expert. She recently served as a Senior Adviser to the President of the International Republican Institute (IRI) for International and Women’s Organizations. She was offered this position after five years of leading a global program at IRI as Director of the Women’s Democracy Network, which spanned in more than 60 countries around the world. Prior to this, she had a successful career as Lithuania’s diplomat serving at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Washington, D.C. where she was responsible for Congressional and Think Tank Relations. Her broad foreign policy experience also includes serving as a diplomatic adviser to the President of Lithuania and senior foreign policy adviser to the Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament where she promoted Lithuania’s aspiration to become a member of the international community of democratic nations. Her passion for empowering women and girls is born out of her life story, where she saw women fighting for her own country’s independence and human rights along with men. However, in the aftermath, women were missing from the leadership positions. Erika believes that leadership starts from providing girls with the right education. An educated girl will ensure that her family and community is healthier as well as contribute as will lead the cultural, political and economic growth of her country.
A lawyer and an international development professional, Prajolita has experience working with government, private sector and civil society organizations on issues related to women rights, women’s participation in politics, gender sensitivity campaigns and gender mainstreaming in project implementation. Before moving to Washington, D.C., she was working on a multi donor initiative called “Strengthening Women’s Participation Especially from Marginalized Communities in Local Governance, Decision Making, Elections and Politics (SMARCO)”, implemented through a Nepali national NGO – Jagaran Nepal. She played a key role in reviewing the gaps in existing laws and policies of Nepal and how those gaps could be cemented to incorporate GESI friendly rules and regulations in electoral Acts. She previously worked with the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and business law firms in various capacities.
With an LL.M. in human rights and gender justice, Prajolita is passionate about disentangling the legal and policy hurdles that could potentially help women take leadership role in solving pressing socio-economic issues society is facing today. Through Women LEAD, she aims to contribute to these goals by working with a wider network of international development institutions and civil society communities in Nepal. Having already contributed to Nepal’s sixth shadow report on the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), she also believes that taking national issues to regional and global forums is crucial in leveraging resources towards both legal and policy reforms in the country.
Simrika firmly believes in empowering women through financial literacy and providing women with a sense of ownership and freedom through skill-based training. A 2020 YWPLC fellow, her interest was born out of the advocacy project “Economic Empowerment: the Need of Today” which provided skill-based training to survivors of domestic violence. She has an undergraduate degree in economics and her interest lies at the intersection of feminist, labor and environment economics. As an alumni, she has been a mentor, participated in Women of the World 2021 event held in Lumbini, Nepal and engaged in the flagship program “Transforming Nepal’s Female Deputy Mayors” which worked towards strengthening the capacity of local female leaders. Alongside her involvement with Women LEAD, she has been acknowledged as a Rising Star by Wedu. She also played a crucial role as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator on the board of Nepal’s national debating body, Debate Network Nepal. In her undergraduate freshman year, she worked at the US Embassy in Kathmandu as a political and economic intern and was part of the United States Embassy Kathmandu’s Youth Council in 2022. Professionally, she is working in retail banking in the United States.
Manil joined Women LEAD with more than seventeen years of experience in the development sector. He worked in multiple South & Central Asian countries on broader issues of livelihood, economic development and management of small organizations. His past experiences include institutional development and organizational strengthening of member-based organizations and small enterprises/institutions; creation of effective market linkages; technical and vocational education and training; women economic empowerment and so forth. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance. Between 2003 to 2008, he also served as a visiting faculty/guest lecturer for undergraduate courses in different campuses. In his spare time, he occasionally writes about the Nepalese equity market in the national dailies and weeklies. Manil believes that the creation of a just and diverse society will only be possible when we have equity for all and he is looking forward to contributing to making this possible through Women LEAD.
Human Resources (HR) Professional and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leader at a professional services firm with pivotal roles in fostering an inclusive workplace culture and optimizing human capital. Recognizing the pivotal role of diversity in organizational success, Jaya Chopra has been a trailblazer in the field of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She has developed and executed comprehensive strategies to cultivate diverse talent, champion inclusion, and promote equity within the workplace. Jaya understands a diverse and inclusive workforce is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage that drives innovation and enhances overall business performance.
With a substantial part of her career dedicated to the professional services industry, Jaya brings an acute understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within this dynamic sector. She has successfully navigated the complexities of HR and DEI in a professional services context, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the firm.
As a board member at WomeLEAD Nepal, Jaya is committed to actively contribute to creating a world where women have equal opportunities to lead, succeed, and make meaningful contributions to society.
Claire Charamnac is an international development specialist who has worked on women’s rights and gender equality in Asia for the past decade. She is currently working as a Gender Analyst at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., focused on regional gender coordination for East Asia and the Pacific. Previously, she worked at Catholic Relief Services, an international humanitarian agency, on nutrition-sensitive agriculture programs in Timor Leste and Madagascar. She also serves on the board of the Red Thread Foundation for Women, which provides mentorship and scholarship support to women of international backgrounds entering university.
Ladan is a social entrepreneur with a broad range of experiences spanning across the technology, nonprofit, and wellness industries. Her professional journey began as an Engineer in Silicon Valley while continuing my education in Holistic Health Modalities, laying the foundation for a multifaceted career. Over the years, she has co-created two charities, played a pivotal role in launching an e-commerce business, co-owned a Holistic Health & Yoga Center, and spearheaded various wellness coaching, training, and retreats.
This journey has cultivated a unique blend of skills, merging technical and nonprofit expertise with a holistic perspective. She is excited to bring her passion for social justice and expertise to help advance equality and empower women in Nepal.
Claire strongly believes that female leaders are the ultimate solution to pretty much every problem that ever existed. Born in sunny England, she grew up in South Asia, and, like most of her friends, studied abroad in the U.S. where she spent fours years analyzing the gender inequality, feminized poverty and violent conflict she witnessed during her childhood in Nepal. She gets unreasonably excited whenever women’s rights, South Asia and cupcakes are mentioned.
Sonu led the implementation of our programs and trained over 1,000 adolescents through the LEAD Course and the School Leadership Program for seven years. She helped start Women LEAD in 2010, and has been instrumental in the development and direction of its programs. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Tribhuvan University’s Public Youth Campus.
Priyanka is Women LEAD Nepal’s Development and Fund Raising Coordinator. She graduated from Coventry University with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining Women LEAD Nepal, she served in various organizations, accumulating more than 7 years of experience in the field. Deeply committed to promoting gender equality, she proudly identifies as a feminist. She firmly believes in the empowerment of women and wishes to see an end to gender disparities in all spheres of life. Through her career, she has actively worked towards creating opportunities and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, especially women and girls. In her spare time, she takes comfort in delving into movies, exploring literature through books, making art and listening to music for relaxation and inspiration.
Suju is Women LEAD’s Senior Program Manager and did her Master’s in Conflict, Peace and Development Studies from Tribhuvan University. Before coming to Women LEAD, she worked at Dristi Nepal, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the stigma and discrimination surrounding former female drug users by giving them the skills to be economically independent. Suju considers herself a liberal feminist and believes that the gender gap can only be solved by giving women access to all the opportunities that men have, as well as having men join hand in hand to overcome gender inequality. She aspires to see a nation where education and opportunities do not differ for men and women.
Kanti Shrestha is a dynamic finance professional with over 6 years of experience in the auditing sector. With a Chartered Accountancy degree from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a Master’s in Business Studies with a major in Accountancy, Kanti brings a comprehensive understanding of financial management to the organization. Additionally, Kanti is pursuing a Bachelor in Law/ Outside of work, Kanti enjoys a balance of adventure and leisure through traveling, hiking, trekking, and cooking.
Senior Coordinator - Program and Government Relations
Kabita is Women LEAD’s Senior Coordinator – Program and Government Relations. She did her Master’s in English Literature from Padma Kanya Multiple Campus. Before coming to Women LEAD, she worked at Little Sisters Fund, an organization that works with economically disadvantaged Nepali girls to become empowered leaders through education, mentoring and community support, and at the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu. She believes that true empowerment comes from equipping women with the knowledge, skills, and self-confidence to drive change in fields of economics, politics, and social transformation.
Senior Coordinator - Alumni and Public Engagement Programs
Rosha holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Kathmandu University School of Arts. She has more than three years of experience working in the areas of agriculture, livelihood, and women’s empowerment. She also brings an experience of working for the women conflict survivors of the Nepal’s 10 years long armed conflict. She believes women can achieve their dreams and goals to make the world a better place for living, if given equal opportunity.
Priyankana is Women LEAD Nepal’s Communication Coordinator at Women LEAD Nepal. She graduated from Franklin and Marshall College, Pennsylvania, in the United States, with a degree in sociology.
Her decision to return to Nepal was motivated by a resolve to be a changemaker in my community and make sustainable, positive changes in society and my country of birth. She has achieved this by working with organizations that increase political literacy among young women and end education inequity.
Priyankana has previously worked as the English Content Lead at Teach for Nepal and taught sociology at the Global Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Education (GATE). She has worked as a marketing consultant and content writer at various organizations. Priyankana is interested in political thought, organizational behavior, arts, and culture. In her free time, she likes to travel and make art.
Pari is a skilled HR professional with a Master’s in Business Management (HR) from Westcliffe University and Kings College in Kathmandu, Nepal. She has a strong foundation in the principles and practices of human resource management. In Women LEAD Nepal, Pari is responsible for overseeing HR, Programs, and Procurement.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Pari is an avid mental health advocate. She is passionate about spreading awareness about mental health and promoting self-care practices. Pari is also an animal lover and actively works to support animal welfare. In her free time, she enjoys talking about feminism, aesthetics, mental health, talent management, and women’s empowerment.
Goma Didi makes sure whole team gets to work in a very clean and hygienic office space. She has been taking care of homes and their cleanliness for the past 14 years. She loves to cook food and as a typical Nepali person, her favorite food is Daal Bhaat.
Kaptan dai keeps our garden beautiful and makes our office space a fun to work in. His experience in gardening dates to over thirty years. Gardening has always been his passion and he wants to open up a nursery of his own in the near future.
