IDEA STUDIO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Representative at WWF Nepal
Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung, Country Representative at WWF Nepal, is also a Snow Leopard Champion. With 20+ years in conservation, he was previously Senior Conservation Program Director at WWF Nepal. Holding a Ph.D. in Natural Science, his expertise spans resource management, ecotourism, conservation engagement, and policy advocacy.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Executive Chairperson of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Tshering Lama is the Executive Chairperson and Co-founder of Idea Studio Nepal (ISN), empowering entrepreneurs to tackle societal issues. He also leads the Nepal Institute of Public Policy and Governance (Nepal: IPPG), advising on governance and development. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Dr. Lama has received numerous awards for his contributions to public health and education.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of Sajilo Marmat Sewa
Kawish Bhakta Shrestha currently serves as the Co-Founder of Sajilo Marmat Sewa. Prior to this role, he worked as an Associate Software QA Engineer at Deerwalk Inc. Mr. Shrestha pursued his MBA in Marketing from Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) and completed his BBIS (Bachelor's in Business Information System) from Kathmandu College of Management.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Prabhu Bank Ltd
Mani Ram Pokhrel is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Prabhu Bank Ltd. He started his banking career at Nabil Bank in 1990. Previously he worked as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Business Officer at Prabhu Bank Ltd. He had also worked in Senior positions at Nepal SBI Bank Ltd, Nepal Credit & Commerce Bank Ltd, and as CEO at former Himchuli Bikas Bank Ltd. Mr Pokhrel having 30 years of banking experience has served at various leadership positions in the banking industry.
Job Titles:
- Accounting and Finance Officer
Abi Tamang is a student who is doing his bachelor of business studies at Tribhuwan University. To gain experience in the field of Finance and accounting, He is doing an internship in accounting and finance in Idea Studio Nepal Abi believes that learning is the way of living life. From a young age, he has been interested in sports. He likes to play football, trek, explore new places and read books.
Job Titles:
- Social Security Economist
Amjad Rabi a social security economist, advises Malaysia's Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Oman's Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI). He's also a visiting expert at the University of Malaya's Social Wellbeing Center. With extensive experience in the UN and teaching roles at various universities worldwide, Amjad holds a diverse academic background including a Doctorate in International Relations, Masters in Public Policy, Mathematics, and Economics.
Job Titles:
- Social Security Economist
Job Titles:
- Independent Director at Nepal Electronic Payment System Ltd
Bal Krishna Joshi, Co-Founder of thamel.com and Independent Director at Nepal Electronic Payment System Ltd., revolutionized cross-border digital banking with Machnet and ThamelRemit. He also gained fame as the "Internet goat" seller, founding an e-commerce company in 2001 that evolved into a global FinTech firm. Joshi holds a BBA in Business Administration from Lewis and Clark College.
Job Titles:
- Head of Google for Education
Jonathan Chang is Head of Google for Education in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries. Formerly, he led NUS Enterprise, oversaw the Lien Centre for Social Innovation at SMU, and pioneered SMU's accreditation as Asia's first Ashoka Changemaker Campus. A global speaker and startup advisor, he holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Stanford GSB, and Harvard Kennedy School.
Justin Baird with over 20 years of diverse experience in management and high tech, Justin's expertise spans research and development, signal processing, product management, digital networks, and multimedia technologies. He holds multiple patents, received accolades like AdNews' "40 under 40" award, and actively supports creative industries. Passionate about music, he's worked with renowned artists in live performance technology.
Job Titles:
- Leader and Project Manager at Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Kimmo Paajanen, Ecosystem Leader and Project Manager at Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Finland, holds a Masters in Engineering with over 25 years of ICT and media experience. He leads projects like Building University Capacity for Business Incubation in Nepal and spearheads education export in the UAE through the AUSELABS training program for the construction industry.
Job Titles:
- Compliance Manager
- Finance
Mr. Karki is an accomplished professional leading the Finance and Compliance department with expertise in financial management and regulatory adherence. His strategic acumen ensures sound financial decision-making, while his meticulous approach guarantees compliance with industry regulations.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Accountant
- Fellow
- Board of Director
Rabindra Shrestha is a fellow Chartered Accountant and has been successfully running his own company R Shrestha & Associates, Chartered Accountants for more than a decade. He has been extensively involved, as in charge of the investigative audit of various reputed international organisations in the country.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor
- Co - Founder
- Co - Founder, Knowledge Director
Rupesh Krishna Shrestha, Co-Founder of Idea Studio and Assistant Professor at Kathmandu University, specializes in entrepreneurship and marketing. He collaborates internationally and has established Nepal's first business incubator. Currently pursuing a PhD, Rupesh holds an MBA and MPhil from Kathmandu University.
Suresh Simkhada is dedicated to improving Nepali media quality and transparency, aligning with Idea Studio Nepal as a board member. He's also Managing Director of Meeting Point, ISN's media partner, and holds key roles in other companies. Additionally, he manages branding and promotion for a popular television quiz show.
Job Titles:
- CEO of Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation
Yohei Shibasaki, CEO of Fourth Valley Concierge Corporation, graduated from Sophia University, Tokyo. With 10 years at Sony, he collaborated globally. In 2007, he founded Fourth Valley. He's also a committee member for Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
Job Titles:
- Head of Program Development and Monitoring at WWF Nepal
Ms. Aarati Gurung is the Head of Program Development and Monitoring at WWF Nepal. Ms. Gurung has over 8+ years of experience in conservation program design and fund-raising, and was previously involved in the climate change campaign as Program Officer in WWF Nepal. Ms. Gurung holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management from Pokhara University.
Ahshia, a Development Studies graduate, excels in research and project management. With experience as a research assistant and project coordinator, she demonstrates strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Ahshia's adaptability and detail-oriented nature ensure successful project outcomes aligned with business objectives.
Ani Choying Drolma, Chairperson of the Ani Choying Drolma Foundation, serves as Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF Nepal and WWF Nepal. Born in Kathmandu to Tibetan refugee parents, she grew up in Nagi Gompa nunnery. Ani is renowned globally for popularizing Himalayan Buddhist chants and feast songs. She advocates for an official Earth Anthem, supporting the efforts of Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K.
Barsha Shrestha is a trailblazer in Nepal's banking sector, serving as the first woman GM in private banking. She's received prestigious awards, including the National Woman Award 2009. Barsha's pivotal role led to CEDB becoming the first Nepali bank to join the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. She now holds the position of Business Head at ICRA Nepal Ltd and serves on the Board of Directors at Idea Studio Nepal (ISN).
Jackie Xu, a Software Engineer specializing in Machine Learning at Facebook, holds a Master's degree from MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a focus on artificial intelligence. Passionate about technology, entrepreneurship, and human empowerment, she aims to leverage machine learning at Facebook to tackle significant social issues.
Katrina Webb, OAM (born May 22, 1977), is an inspirational Australian Paralympic athlete who has triumphed in athletics despite facing cerebral palsy challenges. With her remarkable resilience and talent, she has proudly earned gold, silver, and bronze medals across three Paralympic Games, inspiring countless individuals worldwide.
Malvika Subbha, a beloved media personality and former Miss Nepal (2002), boasts a massive fan following. With over 1,000 hosted events and brand ambassadorships, she's a prominent television host. Also a respected trainer and choreographer for beauty pageants globally, she inspires Nepali youth with her diverse media roles.
Mariéme Jamme, an award-winning Technologist and Young Global Leader, made history as the first black woman to win the Innovation Award at the Global Goals Award 2017. She founded IAMTHECODE, aiming to empower 1 million girls globally by 2030 through STEAMD education. She's also a Board Member of the World Wide Web Foundation and the first Senegalese woman to reach the North Pole.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
- Officer
Pragya Ghimire, Eco-Impact officer at Idea Studio Nepal, holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and an MSc from Khwopa College, Tribhuwan University. With experience as a Climate Change activist at Powershift Nepal and as a radio jockey at Radio Sargam, Dhulabari, she's passionate about green innovation and recently led a project on Solid Waste Management in Mechinagar Municipality.
Saya Mathema is an HR intern currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management from Kathmandu University School of Management. She is passionate about the field of HR and has a strong interest in talent acquisition and management. Saya has completed courses in training and recruitment, and employee development. She has developed strong communication and interpersonal skills through her coursework, work experience and extracurricular activities. She is excited to apply her knowledge and skills in a real-world setting and to contribute to the success of the organization.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Executive Team
Shradha Pal has over a decade of career spanning in journalism, and development sector. She is an advocate of gender and sexuality and is inclined towards politics of knowledge discourse that led her to create the blog Sex, Sexuality, and SHE. She is a Chevening Scholar 2021-22 for Masters in Gender Studies from SOAS, University of London.
Job Titles:
- Head of the Microfinance Department at Prabhu Bank Ltd
Nirmala Bist Rawal is the head of the Microfinance department at Prabhu Bank Ltd. She Studied M. Com focused on International Business/Trade/Commerce from the University of Mumbai. A dynamic personality, she has previously worked as Customer Service Officer at Standard Chartered Bank and has handled positions such as Manager-Card Operations at Prabhu Bank Ltd.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of Both Sajilo Marmat Sewa
Pukar Acharya currently serves as the Co-Founder of both Sajilo Marmat Sewa and Energetic Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Before this role, he held the position of Electrical Engineer at Energypac Engineering Ltd. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Kathmandu University and a Master's Degree in Renewable Energy Engineering from IOE, Pulchowk.
Job Titles:
- Head of Partnerships Development at WWF Nepal
Rajendra Suwal is the Head of Partnerships Development at WWF Nepal and its ornithologist. He's also a Founding Member of Bird Conservation Nepal. With over three decades of experience, Suwal specializes in bird research, bio- diversity conservation, ecotourism, and community-based tourism around protected areas. He holds a Master's Degree in Science (Zoology /Ecology) from Tribhuvan University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Business Officer at Prabhu Bank Ltd
Renu Prasad Pandey is the Chief Business Officer at Prabhu Bank Ltd. With a background in managerial roles at NCC, NIC, and Kist Bank, he has held leadership positions such as Head of Consumer Banking, Deposit Marketing, Central Operations, Operations Risk, and Country Head of SME & Retail Banking, showcasing diverse departmental experience.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder of Both Sajilo Marmat Sewa
Sujeet Regmi serves as the Co-Founder of both Sajilo Marmat Sewa and Energetic Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Prior to this, he held the position of Technical Training Instructor at the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training. He earned his MBA from Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) and holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kathmandu University.