The people shaping the conversation.

Mr. Suraj Vaidya is a prominent Nepali business leader and advocate for economic growth. He is currently the President of Vaidya's Organization of Industries and Trading Houses (VOITH) and Dean of the Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCC-N). He also serves as the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines. Key Leadership Roles President, Vaidya's Organization of Industries and Trading Houses (VOITH) — Present Dean, Honorary Consular Corps Nepal (HCC-N) — Present Honorary Consul General, Republic of the Philippines — Present Advisor, Prime Minister's Economic Council — 2020–2024 National Program Coordinator, Visit Nepal Year 2020 Campaign — 2018–2020 President, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) — 2011–2014 President, SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry — March 2016–March 2018 Employer Representative, International Labour Conference, International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva — 2013 Vice-Chairman, Lumbini Development Trust — 2006–2007 Chairman, Nyaya Health Nepal — 2017–2021 President Emeritus, Nyaya Health Nepal — Present Mr. Vaidya has been a strong advocate for economic growth and addressing Nepal's critical development challenges. As he believes, “The economy should speak louder than politics.”

Mr. Chandra Prasad Dhakal is the Co-Founder and Chairman of IME Group and Chairman of Global IME Bank. He is a prominent figure in Nepal’s business community with extensive leadership experience across the private and financial sectors. He served as the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) from 2023 to 2026 and currently serves as its Immediate Past President. Since 2010, he has also served as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Nepal.

Mr. Hem Raj Dhakal is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of IME Group and a first-generation serial entrepreneur from Nepal. He has built businesses across diverse sectors, with a particular focus on transforming remittance and financial services. His entrepreneurial journey has taken him across Asia, Europe, and the United States, shaping his global perspective on business and innovation. An alumnus of Harvard Business School, MIT, and Tribhuvan University, he is passionate about empowering young people, fostering entrepreneurship, and building sustainable businesses that contribute to Nepal’s economic growth and society.

Mr. Aaditya Subedi is the Co-Founder of Architect Labs, a frontier AI lab focused on custom silicon. Architect Labs is building AI systems designed to accelerate chip design and enable the development of custom chips for a wide range of AI workloads. Previously, Aaditya conducted AI research at Stanford and studied Computer Science and Mathematics at Harvard before leaving to co-found Architect Labs.

Dr. Sameer Maskey is a computer scientist, educator, and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of Fusemachines Inc. and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University, where he has taught for more than 12 years. He founded Fusemachines with a mission to democratize artificial intelligence by expanding access to AI education and opportunities, particularly in underserved communities and countries. Under his leadership, Fusemachines has grown into a global AI company and achieved a significant milestone with its IPO in 2025.

Mr. Karma Tenzing is a Nepalese-American entrepreneur, mountaineer, educator, and business leader, conferred the title of “Dato” (Sir) by His Majesty Tuanku Muhammad of Atjeh, Indonesia. He has climbed the world’s seven tallest mountains across five continents and skied 140 kilometers to the South Pole, setting two national records. His remarkable journey is featured in the award-winning Hollywood documentary Good Karma: An Immigrant Story, based on his life. After 14 years on Wall Street and serving as an Economics Professor in New York, he returned to Nepal and now serves as Chairman of Good Karma Group of Companies, which includes Kathmandu Valley School and the development of Karma Residences, Sheraton Kathmandu, and Marriott Executive Apartments. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, education, and creating ventures that contribute to Nepal’s economic growth and development.

Dr. Madan Kumar Uprety is a physician, entrepreneur, investor, and community leader with more than 20 years of experience building and managing ventures across healthcare, financial services, real estate, and renewable energy. He is the Founder and CEO of Infra Nepal Development Fund, mobilizing global and diaspora capital for hydropower and infrastructure development in Nepal. He also leads My Psychiatrist, Everest Federal Credit Union, and the Nepali American Community Center. Dr. Uprety has helped deploy and manage more than $250 million across ventures in the United States and Nepal and is passionate about combining strong governance, business leadership, and sustainable investment to create lasting economic and social impact.

Mr. Nevin Chetry is a lawyer, entrepreneur, and social impact advocate based in New York. He is an attorney at Chhetry & Associates, P.C., where he has represented individuals, foreign government entities, and businesses in international matters. He also serves on the boards and advisory boards of several companies in the United States and Nepal across the real estate, technology, energy, hospitality, and financial services sectors. He previously served as a Board Director of Everest Federal Credit Union and currently serves on its Asset-Liability Committee. He is also a Board Director of the Greater New York-Nepali Chamber of Commerce, where he contributes to strengthening business and community connections between Nepal and the United States.

Ms. Prativa Joshi is the Head of External Ventures at imec.ventures, where she leads investments focused on healthcare, deep tech, and emerging technologies. She brings over a decade of experience in venture capital and strategic investing, including her previous role as an investor at Highmark Ventures. Her experience spans evaluating and supporting startups from early-stage to growth-stage companies, working closely with founders, investors, and industry partners to help businesses scale. Prativa holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a degree in Computer Information Systems from Bemidji State University.

Mr. Radesh Pandit is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and business executive with more than two decades of experience building, acquiring, and scaling businesses across real estate, hospitality, retail, technology, infrastructure, and energy. He has led complex development projects, strategic acquisitions, partnerships, financing, and investment initiatives across multiple U.S. markets. With an early career as an IBM Systems Engineer, Radesh combines analytical discipline with entrepreneurial vision and hands-on execution. He is actively exploring opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, and sustainable development in Nepal, bringing international experience and a long-term commitment to economic development and community impact.

Mr. Rajendra Baniya is a veteran journalist and media professional with extensive experience in Nepal’s journalism and broadcasting industry. He began his career as a radio presenter with Times FM and Radio Nepal before moving into television, where he worked with Sagarmatha Television and Avenues Television. He served as Chief Editor of Himalaya Television for four years and hosted the highly popular television talk show “Yaksha Prashna,” which reached a wide Nepali audience over five years. He later founded his own media house, NepalLead.com, where he leads programs including “Prasta Prashna” and “Lead Explainer.” Rajendra holds an MPhil in Mass Communication and Journalism and has received numerous national awards for his contributions to journalism and media.

Mr. Rashik Adhikari is the Founder and CEO of Renegade Insurance, bringing extensive experience across insurance, investment management, and investment banking. Previously, he served as an Investor at Soros Fund Management and as an Investment Banking Analyst in M&A at Citi, along with experience in the Technology & Telecom Group at Oppenheimer & Co. He also served as a Change Leader at Oxfam America, bringing a broader perspective on leadership and organizational transformation. Rashik has a strong background in research and leadership from Brigham Young University, combining financial expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and strategic investment experience to build and scale businesses.

Ms. Rupa Laxmi Shah is a nonprofit leader specializing in global fundraising, strategic partnerships, and organizational growth. She has helped raise more than $700 million and supported initiatives valued at over $3 billion worldwide. She has played a key role in scaling MIT-born platforms Scratch and MIT App Inventor, reaching more than 140 million and 30 million children globally. Rupa currently leads fundraising and partnerships for MIT RAISE’s global K–14 AI literacy and workforce initiatives. She also helped establish PATH, securing more than $17 million to build scalable, debt-free pathways to entry-level, AI-enabled careers for community college students.

Mr. Samir Maharjan is a jewelry entrepreneur, investor, and community leader with over 30 years of experience in the industry. His primary focus is jewelry manufacturing and retail, while he also invests in and explores opportunities across diverse sectors. With business interests in Nepal and the United States, Samir is committed to creating long-term value, fostering entrepreneurship, and building meaningful connections through business and community leadership.

Mr. Suman Raj Timsina is an executive leader with over 30 years of global experience across financial services and international development. He serves as CEO of Everest Federal Credit Union (EFCU) and Executive Director of the International Development Institute, specializing in sustainable finance, MSME development, and digital transformation. A former Fulbright Fellow, Timsina was educated at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the University of Pennsylvania. His career includes leadership roles at Bank of America, MBNA, and Fannie Mae, as well as advisory work with global organizations including the World Bank, IFC, and GIZ across more than 15 countries. He is passionate about advancing sustainable growth, digital innovation, and financial inclusion.