Gaura Nepali

Member

Ms. Gaura Nepali President and co-founder of Center for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN) a National Human Rights based NGO, dedicated to empower Dalit and marginalized women for their rights, eliminating caste-based discrimination and Advocacy. Treasurer since 2015 at Jagaran Media Center (JMC) a national NGO, that advocates for eliminating caste-based discrimination, promoting a more equitable, inclusive/accountable democracy, environmental justice and sustainable disaster risk reduction/mitigation through media mobilization, member of UN Women “Civil Society Advisory Group” where she advocates for empowerment of Dalit women and girls and Human Rights Activist fighting against Caste and Gender-based discrimination by advocating for social inclusion and just resolution. Born 1978 in Arghakhanchi, (western part of Nepal) she had to adhere with Caste based Discrimination right from her childhood. Her experiences with Caste-Based Discrimination inspired her to raise Public Consciousness in these issues, Protect and Promote Civil and Political Rights of Dalit women and support for their socio-economic well-being. In 2002, she first began her career as Acting President until 2015 at Association for Dalit Women Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN) a Nepali NGO that works to Empower and upholds the rights of Dalit women and Underserved Children living in rural areas/communities of Nepal. She is a member of Women Human Rights Defender where she participates in various forums both inside and outside Nepal. Furthermore, in December 2013 Ms. Nepali was honored with Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Award in India for her excellence in promoting and advocating for Human Rights of Dalit women.

Susmita Chauhan

Member

An MBA graduate from Lincoln University, she is a seasoned finance professional with over five years of experience spanning trading, e-commerce, and manufacturing industries. Currently serving as a Senior Finance & Supply Chain Coordinator at a manufacturing company, she plays a key role in managing supplier relationships, financial operations, and optimizing supply chain efficiency.

In addition to her corporate role, she leads her own audit firm, helping businesses achieve financial stability and compliance through expert financial consulting across various sectors.

Beyond her professional pursuits, she is deeply committed to social initiatives, advocating for women’s empowerment and community development. Passionate about integrating business with social responsibility, she strives to drive meaningful change through strategic financial solutions and impactful contributions to society.

Priti Mandal

Secretary

Dr. Priti Mandal is an assistant professor in Tribhuwan University, Nepal. She has completed her graduation and post-graduation in the field of education from Tribhuwan University, Nepal, and Ph.D from Faculty of Education, Banaras Hindu University, India. In addition, she has conducted several researches and has been working in the area of women’s human rights and their empowerment since last 15 years. She has also been working as a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion expert for several years. She has presented papers in many national and international conferences. Dr. Mandal is the member of editorial board of several journals published in Nepal.

Rita Karki

Treasurer

Rita Karki is a bachelor’s graduate from Tribhuvan University with over two decades of experience in teaching, and community service. She is a treasure at the Center for Disaster Management Studies (CDMS) and has contributed significantly to various community initiatives, demonstrating a strong commitment to social work and community development.

Hema Shrestha

Vice-Chairperson

Ms. Hema Shrestha is one of the social entrepreneur who holds two Master’s degrees in International Cooperation Development from MICD and Business Studies, MBS from TU. She has more than 14 years of work experience with national and international organizations in management, capacity building, social entrepreneurship (SE) development, community development, procurement and administration, project monitoring, and consultancy services in training. Her expertise includes operations and project management, mentoring social entrepreneurs in the development sector, and strengthening organizational systems. Additionally, Ms. Shrestha has worked extensively on social development, with a particular focus on Gender Diversity and Inclusion, Women’s Leadership Development in Disaster Risk Reduction (WHDRRP) , and promoting Agro and Eco-Tourism. After building on her extensive experience in the development sector, Ms. Shrestha founded Jaraa Social Venture, a transformative initiative focused on promoting both human and environmental well-being through the advancement of a Green Economy, the Venture is dedicated to conducting a variety of agro-based research and activities, which include biodegradable waste management, vermi composting training, as well as sale of vermi bins, vermi and compost including production of organic products. Furthermore, Jaraa Social Venture aims to foster sustainable agricultural practices while providing valuable resources and education to farmers, social entrepreneurs, and local communities, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. Through its efforts, the venture seeks to create lasting, change that benefit people and the planet for more sustainable . 

Sheela Kansakar Karkee

Chairperson

Sheela Kansakar Karkee is a former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) and a pioneering figure in the IT sector. As an IT professional, she has successfully integrated technology, leadership, and advocacy to create a lasting impact. Her tenure as Director of the IT Directorate at Nepal Police laid a strong foundation in the critical areas of security and technology, which are essential to modern law enforcement. 

Sheela has also served as a Technical Advisor for UN Missions in Haiti, bringing her expertise to the international stage. Additionally, her leadership in advocating for women in technology through the Women in Information Technology (WIT) Committee at the CAN Federation is highly commendable. Her active involvement in the Knowledge and Training Committee for youth development and related initiatives has been especially significant in addressing gender disparities in the field. 

Currently, Sheela serves as the Chairperson and a Founder Member of the Center for Disaster Management Studies (CDMS). She is also the Vice President of WIIT (Women in Information Technology), where she continues to inspire and empower women and girls in the technology sector. Furthermore, she is a founding member of the Center for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CSRI), an Executive Member of CAN Help Nepal, a life member of the Socio- Economic Welfare Center for Energetic Women (EWC), and a life member of JAAN. Her ongoing contributions reflect a remarkable blend of leadership, technical expertise, and advocacy, making a significant impact on the IT sector and broader community development.