The General Assembly is the highest body in the hierarchy of the organisation. Currently the organisation is comprised of 49 members representing diverse ethnicity, gender, geographical regions and walks of life. The General Assembly brings any amendment in the organisational structure. The General Assembly, which meets each year, also elects the Executive Committee for a period of four years. Presently the Executive Committee is consisting of eight members (4 female and 4 male presently). The Executive Committee is responsible and accountable to General Body for its work and organisational management. This is the body accountable for effective smooth functioning of the organisational activities. The Executive Committee also nominates the Executive Director of the organisation to perform the management functions, guide the staff members and link with donors for partnership. The senior staffs work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director; Project Officers lead the projects in consultation of Executive Director and Programme Coordinators.
Ms. Bal Kumari Gurung, Chairperson
Ms. Bal Kumari Gurung is working as a Programme Support Team Leader in United Mission to Nepal (UMN). Ms. Gurung has a Master’s Degree in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies from Cambodia. Ms. Gurung has been working in peacebuilding, gender, community development, Participatory Action Research, Team building, etc. for 30 years in the development sector. Ms Gurung is associated with organisations like the International Nepal Fellowship and Young Women Christian Association.
Ms. Sudha Khadka, Vice-Chairperson
Ms. Sudha Khadka is working as Country Director, RECOFTC Nepal. Ms. Khadka has a Master Degree in Agriculture Science from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Ms. Sudha holds 17 years of expertise in strategic leadership, Livelihood programme and sustainable development, entrepreneurial approach, gender and social inclusion, local innovation, and agricultural sector policy processes at local and provincial level.
Ms.Nirmala Darji, Secretary
Ms. Nirmala Darji is working as a Legal Associate in a Legal Firm. Ms. Darji holds Bachloer's Degree in Legislative Law and Education with five years of extensive experience in laws, policies, and regulations of the Nepal Government. Ms. Darji holds a deeper understanding of the constitutional framework and specialises in policy analysis and development, regulatory compliance, and public policy advocacy.
Mr. Sunil Shakya, Treasurer
Mr. Sunil Shakya is working as an Internal Auditor at the United Mission to Nepal. Mr. Shakya is also equipped with advanced skills and knowledge and is a qualified ACCA professional. With extensive experience collaborating with over 50 NGOs in Nepal, Mr. Shakya specializes in conducting internal audits and supporting organisational capacity building, focusing on accounting, financial management, and financial governance. Mr. Shakya's expertise extends to facilitating the development of financial and personnel policies for numerous NGOs, ensuring robust frameworks for sustainable operations.
Dr. Pashupati Chaudhary, Member
Pashupati Chaudhary, PhD is working as Senior Resilient Agriculture Specialist in the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center. Dr. Chaudhary has a Master’s in Sustainable International Development and a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Environment Science from Brandeis University and University of Massachusetts respectively. Dr. Chaudhary has extensive 15 years’ of experience in grant writing, research design and execution, knowledge documentation and scientific writing, program management, monitoring and evaluation, policy analysis, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, food security, and sustainable development disciplines.
Dr. Dipti Rai, Member
Dr. Dipti Rai is a Research Associate at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, specialising in soil health, microbial ecology, and biogeochemistry. Dr. Rai holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Lincoln University and a PhD in Soil Science from the University of Florida. With over nine years of research and development experience, Dr. Rai excels in research design, project management, grant writing, and scientific communication. Dr. Rai work is driven by a commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices through a deeper understanding of soil ecosystems and their impact on environmental health.
Ms. Ganesh Maya Shrestha, Member
Ms. Ganesh Maya Shrestha is working as a senior counselor at the Leprosy Mission Nepal. Ms. Shrestha holds Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and holds over 15 years of extensive expertise in clinical assessment, therapeutic techniques, counseling, crisis intervention, case management, conflict resolution and meditation, and behavioral modification. Ms. Shrestha is equally engaged in Mental Health Advocacy and education to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Surendra Kumar Shrestha, PhD, Founder and Executive Director (Invitee)
Surendra Kumar Shrestha, PhD, Founder and Executive Director
Surendra Kumar Shrestha, PhD has Master's Degree in Rural Development and Philosophy of Doctorate (PhD) from the University of East Anglia (UEA), UK. Dr. Shrestha graduated with a Master Degree in Business and Administration (MBA) from John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. Dr. Shrestha has 32 years of experience in the development sector including 16 years experience of International Non-governmental Organisation in Nepal with different capacities. Dr. Shrestha has experience in donor relations and fundraising with multiple organisations, organisation development especially social movement of grassroot development, project design monitoring and evaluation and conflict transformation. Dr. Shrestha has served on the Executive Board of NGOs and is an active member of different forums for policy advocacy at National and international levels. Dr. Shrestha has also served on the Felm International Advisory Board and MCC Nepal Advisory Board and active member of Accelerating Localisation through Partnership.Dr. Shrestha is the Founder Chair of Sahas Foundation and has experience in Carbon Finance. Dr. Shrestha received two prestigious medals from His Excellency, First President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and the Honourable late Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
Tanka Gautam, Advocacy and Capacity Building of CBNOs
Mr. Tanka Gautam has a Master’s Degree in Rural Development from Tribhuvan University. Mr. Gautam has 30 years of experience in Integrated Community Development and various training and workshops on social mobilisation, leadership, advocacy, governance, inclusive education, education in emergencies and organisation development of ‘Community-based Network Organisation and coordination with Local Government.
Somaya Gurung, Administration and Finance Manager
Ms. Somaya Gurung has a Master Degree in Business Studies from Tribhuvan University. Ms. Gurung has 23 years of intensive experience and expertise in Financial Management, Compliance Monitoring, Grant Management, Internal Control Systems, Internal Auditing, Cash Flow Statements, and Financial Monitoring. Ms. Gurung is equally engaged in training deliveries and capacity building related to finance and administration.
Sujan Lal Shrestha, Livelihood Manager
Mr. Sujan Lal Shrestha graduated from Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science and Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Florida, USA. Mr. Shrestha possesses 20 years of experience in Livelihood and Nutrition, Micro Enterprises, Agricultural Action Research, Project Design and Execution, Inclusive Education, Youth development, Data management, and monitoring and evaluation.
Dipesh Neupane, Senior Technical Coordinator and Business Development
Mr. Dipesh Neupane graduated in from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Mr. Neupane has 11 yeras of exeperinece in the development sector. His areas of expertise are agroecology, food security, climate change, and livelihoods. He is well versed in designing, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of programs/projects. He holds extensive experience working with diverse teams and seeks to collaborate with farmers and other stakeholders for promoting agroecological principles focusing key ecosystem services such as natural pest control, pollination, carbon sequestration, among others.
Rumi Maharjan, Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
Ms. Rumi Maharjan graduated in Social Work and has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Tribhuvan University. Ms. Maharjan has seven years of working experience in process documentation, knowledge product preparation, production and dissemination, data analysis and management, monitoring and evaluation, photo and video documentation and production, social media handling, and archiving documents.
