Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha is a distinguished and highly respected leader in Nepal’s microfinance sector, with more than five decades of committed service in poverty alleviation, institutional development, and financial inclusion. He holds an M.A. degree in Economics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal and was a special student of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University, USA, in 1970/71. In 2009, he further strengthened his leadership credentials by attending a Strategic Leadership Development Program at Harvard Business School.
Throughout his eminent career, Mr. Shrestha has played a pivotal role in shaping Nepal’s microfinance landscape through visionary policy advocacy, capacity-building initiatives, and the widespread promotion of self-help methodologies in microfinance and community development. He is widely recognized for strengthening microfinance governance and championing community-based development models that have empowered women, rural households and marginalized communities across the country.
Under his leadership, the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) has emerged as Nepal’s premier microfinance training and resource institution. The Centre has supported hundreds of organizations and thousands of practitioners by offering professional training, technical assistance, and sectoral development services, thereby contributing significantly to the growth and professionalism of the national microfinance fraternity.
Mr. Shrestha’s ethical, people-centered, and transformative approach continues to inspire innovation and social commitment within Nepal’s microfinance ecosystem. In recognition of his exemplary leadership and his instrumental contribution to establishing the highest number of 3ZERO Clubs in Nepal, he was honored with the “Special Recognition Award” at the 3ZERO Club Convention 2025 in Bangladesh.
Ms. Shobha Bajracharya is an experienced professional with more than two decades of experience in the microfinance sector, along with extensive exposure to education, development and community empowerment. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Tribhuvan University.
She began her professional career as an Assistant Professor at Hiralal Multiple Campus and has also gained experience working with organizations including SEARCH and IIDS. Her professional journey reflects a strong commitment to microfinance, community development and women’s empowerment, particularly in promoting greater economic and social opportunities for women.
Ms. Bajracharya has undertaken study visits to microfinance institutions in Nepal and abroad and has participated in various international conferences and professional forums. Her academic background, extensive sector experience and commitment to women’s empowerment have contributed to the advancement of inclusive and community-focused microfinance practices.
Mr. Dambar Bahadur Shah is an experienced professional in the cooperative and microfinance sectors, with expertise in financial services, technology, entrepreneurship development and member empowerment. He has been actively involved in promoting the use of modern technology to improve the quality, accessibility and efficiency of financial services, particularly for underserved communities.
He has also contributed to promoting entrepreneurship and income-generating activities among members and has served as a member of the Microfinance Sub-Committee of the National Cooperative Bank Limited. He has participated in and organized numerous regional, national and international seminars, conferences and training programs, gaining diverse exposure to emerging practices in cooperative and microfinance development.
Mr. Shah holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance from Indira Gandhi National Open University, India, and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, India. His professional experience, academic background and commitment to innovation have contributed to the advancement of inclusive, technology-enabled and member-focused financial services.
Mr. Deepak Nidhi Tiwari is a seasoned microfinance professional with more than three decades of experience in microfinance, financial management and social development. He holds a Master’s degree in Rural Development from Tribhuvan University and has extensive experience in microfinance operations, institutional management, rural finance, governance, risk management and financial inclusion.
He has participated in numerous national and international training programs and conferences, including programs at Grameen Bank, Bangladesh; Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Germany; Boulder Institute of Microfinance and ITC-ILO, Turin, Italy, as well as regional forums organized by APRACA in Vietnam, China and Cambodia.
His professional expertise covers MFI management, financial analysis, credit and risk management, corporate governance, internal control and auditing, financial literacy, client protection, leadership development and AML/CFT. He has also served as a resource person in various microfinance training programs, contributing to the capacity development of microfinance professionals and the advancement of the sector in Nepal.
