Theme: Embracing the Past, Envisioning the Future

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Nepal Tourism Board Hall
Pradashani Marga
Kathmandu, Bagmati, 44600
Nepal

Amigo Khadka

Co-founder. Nepal Tea Collective | Co-founder Upaya City Cargo

Amigo Khadka, a Chevening Scholar and Mansion House Scholar of 2021, is a dynamic individual based in Kathmandu, Nepal. With a passion for entrepreneurship, higher education, and a background in investment banking, Amigo has crafted a multifaceted professional journey. Amigo’s entrepreneurial ventures include his role as the Co-founder and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Nepal Tea Collective | We’re Raising. He also played a key role as Co-founder/COO at Upaya:CityCargo, an on-demand last-mile logistics platform in Kathmandu, Nepal. His journey also includes a significant tenure at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he served as an Investment Banking Credit Analyst and KYC/AML Analyst. Amigo’s academic pursuits led him to The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he pursued a Master of Science (MS) degree1. Being recognized as a Chevening Scholar and Mansion House Scholar in 2021 underscores his academic excellence and potential as a future leader.

Anil Keshari Shah

Banker

Anil Keshari Shah is a highly respected figure in the banking industry of Nepal, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills. Born on August 1, 1973, in Kathmandu, Nepal, Shah has made significant contributions to the banking sector and has been instrumental in shaping the financial landscape of the country. Shah's journey in the banking sector began in 1991 when he joined Nepal Grindlays Bank, which is now known as Standard Chartered Bank. Starting in an assisting position with a modest salary of Rs.3,500, Shah's dedication and hard work saw him rise through the ranks to become the Head of the consumer bank and Chief Operating Officer of the bank. In 2018, Shah was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Nabil Bank, becoming the first Nepali CEO in the history of banking in Nepal. Under his leadership, Nabil Bank became the number one bank in Nepal. Shah attributes this success to the extensive teamwork of the board of directors and everyone working at the bank.

Bal Krishna Joshi

Co-Founder, Thamel.com

Bal Krishna Joshi co-founded thamel.com and currently serves as an Independent Director at Nepal Electronic Payment System Ltd. He is also the co-founder of Machnet and ThamelRemit.Joshi’s journey began with his education at Budhanilkantha School in Kathmandu, Nepal, and later at Lewis & Clark College, Oregon, US, where he pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). His entrepreneurial journey started with lotteries, which he was introduced to while studying abroad. Upon returning to Nepal, he launched Lotto, which saw significant success.

Binay Khadka

CEO, Khalti Digital Wallet

Binay Khadka, at the age of 27, has made a significant impact in the Fintech industry in Nepal. He is the youngest CEO of Khalti, one of the leading digital payment service providers in the country. Khadka's journey to this position is marked by a series of impressive achievements. In 2017, he completed his Chartered Accountancy from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal, where he was the Nepal topper of the CA final exam, earning three Gold medals. After his academic success, he had a successful professional career. He started as a 'Financial Analyst' at NIC Asia Bank and later moved to eSewa, the first and leading digital wallet of Nepal, where he was the 'Head of Banks and Corporate Relations'. In 2019, he returned to NIC Asia Bank as the 'Head of the Digital Marketing Department. Khadka's appointment as the CEO of Khalti has been well-received by the ICT communities in the country.

Ichhya Malla

Founder, PeopleFirst Training & Consulting | Adjunct Professor | Alumni, Johns Hopkins University

Ichhya Malla is a dynamic, charismatic, and energetic professional who graduated from Johns Hopkins University, USA. She is a corporate trainer par excellence, and was honored with the Asian Education Award 2022 for being the Corporate Trainer of the Year. Her core competencies lie in helping businesses perform well through training. She is equally competent in both ‘Hard Skills (Technical Skills)’ and ‘Soft Skills (People Skills)’ – the two essences of any professional and personal success. For the past 5 years, she has been working to uplift the human resources in Nepal. She has been actively involved in training freshly recruited bureaucrats of the Government of Nepal since 2015. Besides, she has delivered various workshops on topics like Sales, Personal Branding, Team Building, Customer Service, Personal Grooming, Goal Setting at different commercial banks, corporate houses, and educational institutions in Nepal. She is also a lecturer at Kathmandu College of Management.

Pranayna KC

Co-Founder, Hivelaya

Pranayna KC is a dynamic individual with a diverse professional background spanning across multiple countries and sectors. She has worked in 7 startups and 2 multinational companies over a period of 12 years. Currently, she is venturing into the entrepreneurial world. Pranayna spent her early years in India, where she completed her high school and was the School Captain. She also played for the district level basketball at the state of Uttaranchal. She then moved to the United States for her freshman year at Centre College in Kentucky on a full scholarship. Later, she graduated from Edith Cowan University in Australia

Rewati Gurung

Founder, Kokromo | Entrepreneur/Filmmaker/Social Activist

Rewati Gurung is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Kokroma, a sustainable baby clothing venture. Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Gurung's journey from a filmmaker to an entrepreneur is truly inspiring. Gurung's entrepreneurial journey began with the launch of Kokroma, a unique Nepali brand specializing in infant and children’s clothing. The idea of Kokroma was born out of her desire to promote Nepali identity and culture. The brand provides jobs for marginalized women in Nepal and uses textiles woven by prisoners who receive vocational training and income-generating opportunities. Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Gurung was a filmmaker. Her transition from filmmaking to entrepreneurship was driven by her belief that restricting ourselves to one task limits our capabilities. This belief led her to take the initiative of not only supporting women but also prisoners, getting the fabrics from them for her sustainable baby clothing venture.

Rishi Dhamala

Founder,Reporters club | Founder, Prime Television

Rishi Dhamala, born as Durga Raj Dhamala, is a respected figure in the field of journalism in Nepal. He was born on October 24, 1964, in Dhading, Nepal. He is the founder of Reporter's Club Nepal, a Nepali journalist association. In addition to this, he is also the founder of the Journalist Association of Nepal and Prime Times Television. Dhamala works for several other media outlets in Nepal. He hosts the Nepal Bani Network's Bani Bahas and writes features in newspapers. He also edits his own online news portals. His show “Dhamalako Hamala” is one of the controversial shows. Also, his show “Prime Times” is a popular show. He has gained a lot of fame due to his controversial nature. Rishi Dhamala is famous because his way of asking the question to the audience is totally different.

Ujaya Shakya

Founder, Outreach | Author, Brandsutra

Ujaya has over two decades of experience in the field of strategic 360-degree communication, branding and social communication development. He has developed and implemented successful brand campaigns, media & PR strategies and BCC programs in public health and social issues. He spearheads one of the most awarded communication group based in Kathmandu, which reinvented brand marketing in Nepal by introducing dedicated verticals specialized in Media Planning & Buying, Contemporary Creative Solutions, Experiential Marketing & Activation, Rural Communication & Visual Merchandizing, Digital & Social Media Optimization, PR & Event Management.