Upasana, Samata, and Sangita in Command of Nepal’s Top Insurance, Bank, and Telecom Giants

Nepal’s top three insurance, bank, and telecommunication companies are currently led by women.

Upasana Poudel has been appointed as the Executive Officer of Himalayan Re-Insurance Company, Samata Panta as the Permanent Acting Executive Officer of Nepal Bank Limited, and Sangita Pahadi as the Acting Managing Director of Nepal Telecom Company Limited (Nepal Telecom).

These appointments were made by the respective Boards of Directors of the organizations.

Upasana Poudel – CEO of Himalayan Re-Insurance Company

Upasana Poudel, a 37-year-old dynamo, has been named the CEO of Himalayan Re-Insurance Company, which boasts a substantial paid-up capital of 10 billion Nepalese rupees. Poudel, who initially joined the company as Deputy CEO just ten months ago, has ascended to the top position at the behest of the board of directors. Her appointment as CEO has received official approval from the insurance regulatory authorities.

Himalayan Re-Insurance, Nepal’s first private investment-driven reinsurance entity, is currently raising three billion rupees through an initial public offering (IPO). The company enjoys investments from some of Nepal’s most esteemed business houses, and its chairman, Shekhar Golcha, expressed confidence in Upasana’s ability to lead the organization effectively in the challenging field of reinsurance.

Notably, Upasana Poudel is one of the youngest CEOs in Nepal’s banking and insurance sectors. Before her tenure at Himalayan, she served as the CEO of United Insurance Company, making her the first female CEO in Nepal’s insurance industry. Her professional journey began in India, where she gained invaluable experience at Bharati AXA General Insurance and ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company before venturing into Nepal’s insurance landscape.

Samata Panta – Acting CEO of Nepal Bank Limited

The board of directors of Nepal Bank Limited has appointed Samata Panta, the Deputy Executive Officer, as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank. This decision comes after the tenure of the previous CEO, Krishna Bahadur Adhikari, ended on October 2. Panta will assume the role of acting CEO starting from October 15, pending further arrangements.

Samata Panta, who holds an MBA degree, has dedicated more than two decades of her career to the banking sector, holding various key roles along the way. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for Nepal Bank Limited, showcasing the institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles.

Sangita Pahadi – Acting Managing Director of Nepal Telecom

In a development spurred by recent events, Sangita Pahadi has been named the Acting Managing Director of Nepal Telecommunications Company, commonly known as Nepal Telecom. This decision follows the suspension of Sunil Paudel, stemming from a case filed by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority.

In light of these circumstances, the government has entrusted Sangita Pahadi with the responsibility of acting as the Managing Director. Pahadi was a contender for the Managing Director position and has been fulfilling the role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) within the organization. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering from Allahabad University, India, and a Master of Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

Sangita Pahadi’s journey with Nepal Telecom began on April 11, 1993, with a temporary appointment as an engineer at the then Nepal Telecommunication Institute, and she later secured a permanent appointment on February 22, 1995.