Birthright Nepal

CEO and Co-Founder

Anmol Shrestha

Anmol Shrestha is the CEO and Co-Founder of Birthright Nepal. After his family won the Diversity Visa lottery in 2003, he moved from Kathmandu to Southern California where he now attends medical school at the California University of Science and Medicine. Anmol was inspired to create Birthright Nepal after working in rural Nepal for one year. While there, his colleague’s 10-month-old baby died in a house fire. This led Anmol to reflect on the many systems that failed this family, from widespread poverty to the migration of skilled workers out of Nepal, which has further exacerbated health inequities. In creating Birthright Nepal, Anmol hopes to not only reconnect the Nepali Diaspora with their roots, but also return talent back to Nepal in hopes that no more children die from being born into a poor family. In his free time, Anmol enjoys reading, running, and helping save kittens from trees.

Co-Founder & Policy Director

Deepti Ghimire

Deepti Ghimire is a co-founder and the Policy Director at Birthright Nepal. Born in Pokhara, she came to the US at a young age with her parents, eventually settling in Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up, Deepti always felt a sense of being stuck between two cultures which she later realized was a common phenomenon for many of her Nepali peers and other Diasporan youth. These personal experiences and a chance encounter with CEO Anmol Shrestha at a professional event inspired her to co-found Birthright Nepal so future generations may have unique opportunities to reconnect with their Nepali heritage and culture. In her spare time, Deepti enjoys traveling/spending time in nature, cooking up new recipes and creative writing. 

Co-Founder and Fellowship Recruitment Co-Lead

Hemanta Dhungel

Hemanta Dhungel, a co-founder of Birthright Nepal, was born in Jhapa, Nepal and moved to the United States at age 9. Overtime, she felt a growing disconnect from her homeland, despite her strong desire to give back. A trip back to Nepal in 2023 rekindled her connection and inspired her to join Anmol in helping found Birthright Nepal, aimed at helping Nepali diaspora students reconnect with their heritage. In her spare time, Hemanta enjoys exploring new cities and cuisines, and she has a particular love for mountain adventures. Her commitment to giving back to her community, both in the U.S. and Nepal, drives her mission with Birthright Nepal.

Co-Founder and Branding Director

Pooja Singh

Pooja Singh, co-founder of BirthRight Nepal, was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, before moving to the U.S. at age 16. A health researcher and artist, she's into seeking truth and turning data into action. She loves exploring and gathering experiences, memories, and stories from the people and places she encounters. She's worked with communities in the field and understands the value of collaboration, and knowledge sharing in development. At a global health meet she'd hosted in LA, she met Anmol and instantly realized a shared vision. She joined the initiative eager to support creating more opportunities for emerging talents and local communities to connect and grow, not to mention the cultural immersion. #Nepalihoni

Co-Founder and Outreach Coordinator

Prashun Chanda

Prashun Chanda, a co-founder of Birthright Nepal, was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, and moved to the US at age 8, eventually graduating from high school in San Diego. Currently a medical student at LSU New Orleans, Prashun is passionate about pediatrics and enjoys running, traveling, and exploring coffee shops and bookstores in new cities. She co-founded Birthright Nepal after realizing a common experience among her peers—a deep desire to reconnect with their Nepali roots, yet uncertainty about how to do so. Inspired by this shared longing and Anmol's vision, Prashun joined Birthright Nepal to help bridge the gap between the diaspora and Nepal, creating opportunities for young people to rediscover their heritage and contribute to the future of their homeland.

Co-Founder &  Fellowship Recruitment Co-Lead

Rupak Bhandari

Rupak Bhandari, co-founder of Birthright Nepal, was born in Damak, Jhapa, and moved to the US at age 8. Through Birthright Nepal, Rupak hopes to reconnect young Nepali students in the diaspora with their cultural roots and heritage. With a deep passion for medicine and a keen interest in contributing back to Nepal, Rupak joined Anmol in creating potential opportunities that inspire the younger generation belonging to the Nepali diaspora to engage with their background. In his free time, Rupak enjoys playing cricket and perfecting the art of balancing a stethoscope while batting.