Taha Mughal | The University of Cambridge

Taha Mughal, an architect, historic preservationist, and writer, holds advanced degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania. A recipient of prestigious scholarships like the Charles Wallace India Trust and Fulbright-Nehru, he has also received offers from Harvard and other renowned institutions.His work spans Heritage, Culture, Politics, and Literature. Over the past decade, he has mentored underprivileged communities in North India through art. Currently, he is co-translating Kashmiri classical literature in the Himalayas and has contributed to a Barakat Trust-UK-funded project on Early Modern Kashmir.

Astha Wagle | University of Oxford

She is currently a researcher at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and completed her bachelor’s degree along with a Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research from Ashoka University. She has also worked as a Staff Research Associate at the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, where she conducted research on Nepal’s trade and investment environment.

Tulsi Rauniyar | Chevening Scholar | London School of Economics

Tulsi Rauniyar is a Nepali journalist and documentary photographer based in Kathmandu, covering environmental and humanitarian issues at the intersection of nature, people, and power, an intersection that demands both critical thinking and heart. Her reporting has appeared in outlets including BBC Future, Foreign Policy, The Diplomat, DW, and Mongabay, spanning stories from trans-Himalayan communities facing climate migration to Indigenous groups navigating human-wildlife conflict. A Chevening Scholar, she will begin her MSc in Culture, Justice and Environment at the London School of Economics this fall.

Pradhyumna Wagle  | Cornell University  

Pradhyumna is an economist and researcher with a strong foundation in international and development economics, currently associated with Weill Cornell Medicine. He previously studied at Cornell University, where he focused on econometrics, machine learning, applied mathematics, and public policy, building on an interdisciplinary background in computer science and economics. Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, his work centers on applying computational and data-driven methods to real-world policy challenges, with a particular interest in causal inference and development outcomes. He is actively engaged in research at the intersection of economics and data science and is preparing to pursue a PhD in Applied Economics, with the goal of contributing to rigorous, policy-relevant research in developing economies.

Vidhika Gadia | University of  Birmingham

Vidhika Gadia is a Senior Research Associate at LEAD with the Health Systems and Quality of Life vertical where she focuses on mental health research and contributes to the development of evidence through research studies and academic writing. Her work centres on examining mental health issues and translating research findings into insightful articles and outputs. Before embarking on her journey with LEAD, Vidhika worked with ActionAid Association as a Researcher and served as a Programme Coordinator at Udayan Care, gaining experience across research and programme implementation in the social sector. She has earned a Master’s degree in Youth Mental Health from the University of Birmingham, England, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ashoka University. When not immersed in work, Vidhika indulges in a mix of interests—from sports, music to the world of books, and loves learning new languages.

Lumanti Maharjan | Forté Fellow | Vanderbilt University 

Lumanti is a finance professional with a passion for using finance to drive meaningful outcomes, particularly in Nepal. He currently works in investment, issue management, and corporate advisory at LS Capital, where he develops financial models, values companies, and evaluates investment opportunities in clean energy sectors such as hydropower and solar. His work combines analytical rigor with a commitment to advancing sustainable economic development through sound investment and financial strategy.

Sahaby Praveen | Fletcher  

Shaheby is a business operations professional with a focus on growth strategies for IT companies. His experience spans sales, marketing, and talent acquisition, with a particular emphasis on the AI sector. An MBA graduate specializing in entrepreneurship, he has contributed to venture-building initiatives through the Otharo Incubation Program in Nepal.

Vivek Jajoo | The Wharton School

Vivek holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is passionate about a wide range of business topics including finance, operations, marketing, pricing, sustainability etc. He has a diverse set of experiences before pursuing his MBA and has previously worked in management consulting, investment management, and software engineering across the US and Canada. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and minor in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Vivek is passionate about teaching and mentoring and has held several teaching assistant, one-to-one tutor, and mentorship roles at Georgia Tech, Wharton, and at work.

Larisa Shrestha | Harvard University

Larsia completed her bachelor's degree in Neuroscience at Harvard University after receiving the Opportunity Fund Grant Scholarship in 2017. She also holds a certificate in Darwin and the Origins of Evolutionary Biology from the University of Oxford, as well as an interdisciplinary certificate in Typical and Atypical Neurodevelopment from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience in mentorship and has led programs through the Harvard Global Education Movement, working closely with students across diverse academic and personal development contexts.