AVIMA UPRETI, ESQ. | President (NY)

Avima Upreti is an attorney-at-law in New York and is also admitted to practice law in Nepal. She is currently working as an associate attorney at Chhetry and Associates P.C., New York. She is an activist, feminist and a passionate public speaker. She likes to advocate and speak in the issues of human Rights, gender justice and women empowerment. Ms. Upreti has continually advocated for human rights issues, particularly those affecting Nepali women and girls since her early days in her career starting from 2008. Whether it has been as a news anchor and legal correspondent for Avenues Television (national Television of Nepal) , or as a radio program presenter, or as a program officer of the Federation of Nepalese Journalist (FNJ), Upreti has always tried to raise awareness among Nepali citizens about their rights, raised women issues, issues of domestic violence, gender equality, gender justice, women empowerment and also highlighted about the role of governments and role of community organizations. She continually speaks inside the United States in many community events about the community role in eliminating gender based violence. She started her professional career as a news anchor and correspondent from 2009-2012 A.D. on Avenues Television, Nepal’s national TV, where she entailed researching and delivering watchdog works and storytelling across multiple platforms and issues such as Human Rights, Women Rights, Gender, and Legal Rights. Besides that she also has worked as a Radio consultant and presenter from 2011-2013A.D. for the radio program “HAMRO KANOON”,(Our Legal System) of Interface Nepal which was broadcasted in more than 32 radio stations throughout Nepal with a mission of raising awareness on the existing laws that support and defend the rights of all people and help create a just society.

Ms. Upreti completed her law degree from Purbanchal’s University Kathmandu School of law in Nepal in 2011 in a full merit-based scholarship, eventually receiving an award from the Nepal Bar council for getting the Second highest score all over Nepal on the Advocate license exam in 2012. She holds double LLM, one from Kathmandu School of law specializing in Human rights and Gender Justice in 2011-2013 and another LLM (Master of laws) from Fordham Law school specializing in International law and justice 2016-2017. She was awarded with merit based Scholarship while pursuing LLM in Fordham and grabbed a cum-laude. She was a vice-president of NWGN for 2016-2018. She is a legal advisor of a women committee of Non-Residential Nepali National Coordination council of USA (NRN-NCC-USA). You can reach her at avimaupreti@gmail.com

SONI THAPA | VIce President (CANADA)

Soni Thapa is an educator, researcher and community worker. She received her PhD in Sociology and MA in Women’s Studies at Texas Women’s University in the United States. She also holds an MA in Psychology, a post-graduation degree in Women’s Studies from Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Diploma in Community Based Development from Coady International Institute, Canada. During her graduate school in the US, she conducted two pioneering studies: Intimate Partner Violence among Nepalese Women in the United States and Adaptation of Nepalese in the United States. In her previous job as an executive director of a non-profit organization, she was involved in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating community-based development programs while empowering rural women of Nepal through micro-finance programs. Currently, she lives in Toronto and teaches at Humber College, Canada.

HARIMAYA KAFLE (Aka SRIJANA KAFLE)| General Secretary (NY)

Srijana Kafle khadka is currently based in New York. She has a 2 decade of experience working as a development geographer with a focus on Women’s Empowerment and Gender. She is one of the dynamic campaigner and a change maker for the right of single women (widow ) in Nepal and South Asian. She has closely worked with state and Non state partner organization for changing discriminatory law and policies among the women and single women (widow for about 2 decades. Currently she is also involved in WHR international Chapter USA to lobby and advocacy for Widow’s issue through International level. Srijana is also one of the Board member of Neighborhood Advisory Board of Queens which has formed under the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development. You can reach her at hmayakafle@gmail.com

ANAJNA UPADHYAYA | Treasurer (UTAH)

TEJESWI GIRI | Member (NC)

Tejaswi Giri has twenty-six years of work experience in Nepal, Thailand, Canada, and USA. She is currently based in North Carolina, USA. Currently, she works as Employment Coordinator at U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)-North Carolina Field Office, overseeing two employment-based assistance programs. She has ten years of experience working on behalf of new immigrants in Canada and the United States, primarily helping refugees, asylees, parolees, Special Immigrant Visa (SIVs) holders, and trafficking victims, assimilate in their new communities and work places. Prior to working in resettlement, she worked as Project Manager for United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in North America, and Project Officer for an EU-funded project in Asia. She has an MBA in International Business from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, and BBA from University of Bradford, UK. Besides her professional work, Tejaswi is actively serving as Board Member of Culture and Women Activities Committee and Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordination Committee in the Nepal Center of North Carolina (NCNC). She is passionate about social issues such as women empowerment, social equality and justice, education for girls, and women entrepreneurship. Tejaswi is also a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of North Carolina, where she practices real estate and contributes a portion of her commission to refugee and immigrant women’s skills development, and entrepreneurial ventures.You can reach her at tejaswi.giri@gmail.com.

HEMA DAHAL | Member (PA)

Hema Dahal (Pokhrel) was born in Chirang Bhutan came to United States on 2009. She is currently based in Scranton, PA. After she migrated to USA she volunteered in different Bhutanese Nepali community in Scranton PA. She was a former chairperson of Bhutanese cultural Foundation of Scranton. She is also lead of Bhutanese Women Group of Lackawanna County. She also a PTA led at Nativity Miguel school of Scranton. On 2011-2016 she worked as ESL Guide in Scranton School district. Currently she is working as a Human Resources Assistant at TJMAX Distribution Center Pittston P. She also workikng as Scranton Area Manager for Creative home care LLC.. Her hobby is learn different cultural aspect /activist and read book. She anchored in many school PTA events and communities based program. She has passion for working with women and helping them in any help they need .She has her Bachelor Degree in Sociology from Tribhuban University Nepal. She She also completed her Medical Assistance from Fortis Institute Scranton PA. You can reach her at hemadahal@comcast.net.

SHARDA SHRESTHA | Member (CA)

Sharada Shrestha was born in Khotang Nepal. She is currently based in Los Angeles California. She is a founder of Handicraft Association of Jhapa, Nepal in 2002. Sharada also was a general secretary of Orphan and old age home in 2004. She was the president of Nepal America Ekta Samaj from 2014-2016. She is a Founder president of Nepali women’s Global Network (NWGN) Los Angeles Chapter in 2016-1017. She is a board member of Blood donation of America from 2016-2018. You can reach her at Sthads@yahoo.com.

SUSMITA SIJAPTI | Member (CA)
Susmita Sijapati is currently based in California. She was founding Treasurer of NWGN CA Chapter which opened her eyes to her capability to ease the struggle that most women face in our society. On 2015, she was honored with “The Presidents Award” by NWGN-CA Chapter for her advocacy and constant support of Nepali Women. Likewise, on 2017, hollywoodkhabar.com has also honored her with an award for empowering and contributing in enhancing skills of Nepalese women. She is also current board member of Sunny Sagarmatha Samaj. She has hosted and coordinated several social events in and around San Francisco bay area. Her goal is to empower and promote equality which will help women to see their own potential. You can reach her at susmita_sijapati@yahoo.com