Dr. Swarnim Waglé
Chair & Distinguished Fellow
Between 2014 and 2018, Dr. Waglé served the National Planning Commission (NPC) in the Government of Nepal for three intermittent years, first as Member and then as Vice-Chair. As the head of the Government’s apex policy advisory body, Swarnim Waglé guided the formulation of national development strategies, coordinated policy across the public sector, monitored large projects, led ministerial delegations on the international stage, and steered organizational change. In the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake of 2015 and the flood of 2017, Dr. Waglé co-led the Post Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA) and helped garner pledges for billions of US dollars in assistance.
Swarnim Waglé has worked as an international development professional for more than 20 years, including as Senior Economist at The World Bank in Washington, DC and UNDP in New York, Hanoi, and Colombo. Widely published, he co-edited The Great Upheaval (Cambridge University Press, 2022) and co-authored the global Human Development Report (2013) titled The Rise of the South. From 2002 to 2007, he co-led the UNDP Asia Trade Initiative.
Swarnim Waglé sits on the Senate of Kathmandu University and advises several non-profit organizations. He is an eminent member of the World Bank’s South Asia Championing and Visioning Process. Having undertaken short-term assignments at the Asian Development Bank (Manila) and the International Trade Center (Geneva), he also served as South Asia editor of Harvard Asia Quarterly in 1999-2000.
Swarnim Waglé holds a doctorate in economics from the Australian National University, Master’s in International Development (MPA/ID) from Harvard University, and BSc (Econ) from the London School of Economics. He was born in Gorkha, Nepal.
Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa
Founder Chair & Life Member
Dr. Thapa began his career in economic leadership as Member Secretary of Nepal’s National Planning Council at the age of 24. He served as the 4th Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank from August 14, 1966, to July 26, 1967, and later held senior positions in the Ministry of Finance, including State Minister of Finance, Secretary of Finance, and Minister of Finance (1976–1978), guiding Nepal’s fiscal and economic policies.
In diplomacy, Dr. Thapa served as Nepal’s Ambassador to the United States twice (1980–1985 and 1996) and as Ambassador to India (1997–2003). He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs (2004–2005) and led the National Advisory Committee for the 18th SAARC Summit held in Kathmandu in 2014. Additionally, he served as UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka during the civil war period, contributing to international development and conflict management.
Currently, Dr. Thapa is the Nepal Coordinator for the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), a bilateral initiative reviewing and updating treaties between Nepal and India. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to national development, diplomacy, economic governance, and regional cooperation.
Dr. Thapa remains a guiding figure for policy research, international relations, and institutional leadership in Nepal.
Ms. Barsha Shrestha
Treasurer
She began her career at Nabil Bank Limited in 1984, rising to Head of Privilege Banking, and later became the first woman to join Clean Energy Development Bank Limited (CEDBL) as General Manager, eventually serving as Deputy CEO. Under her leadership, CEDBL became the first and only Nepali bank to join the Global Alliance for Banking on Values in 2013.
At IIDS, Barsha contributes her expertise on banking, financial governance, and sustainable finance, strengthening research and policy dialogue on financial inclusion and institutional development. She also serves on several boards and advisory bodies, including the Nepal Institute for Policy Research (NIPoRe), the Asian Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB), the Karnali Basin Conservation Foundation (KBCF), IDEA Studio Nepal, and the Nepal Ambulance Service (NAS).
Barsha has been recognized with the National Woman Award (2009) and the Woman Manager Recognition Award (2010) for her contributions to leadership and women’s empowerment. Her career reflects a commitment to advancing Nepal’s financial sector and promoting sustainable and inclusive development.
Mr. Vidyadhar Mallik
Member
Ms. Dawa Futi Sherpa
Member
From November 2019 to October 2021, Ms. Sherpa served as the Ambassador of Nepal to the Kingdom of Spain. During her tenure, she became the first Nepali Permanent Representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and was recognized as the youngest Nepali ambassador appointed to Spain at the time.
Beyond diplomacy, she leads initiatives that promote women’s empowerment, education, and health in high-altitude communities as President of the Pasang Lhamu Foundation. She also serves as Vice President of Sherpa Hospitality Group and contributes to corporate and cultural development as a Board Member of Citizen Life Insurance Company Limited and the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF). Her career reflects a commitment to diplomacy, sustainable development, and the preservation of Nepal’s cultural and natural heritage.
Ms. Sumnima Udas
Member