Oda Foundation Team
We are here to facilitate needed structure and stability for some of the most marginalized and underserved communities in Nepal. The staff is a mix of locals and Kathmandu-born — together we share values of dedication, compassion, growth, and seeking sustainable solutions.
Karan Singh
Co-Founder, CEO
Karan was born and raised in the village of Oda. At the age of 14, he lost his father to pneumonia, catalyzing his desire to help the region with its medical issues. Since 2013, Karan has led our efforts on the ground in everything from employee management, government relations, logistics, and community partnerships.
Shalav Rana
Managing Director
A seasoned development leader with over two decades of experience in Nepal’s nonprofit sector. Formerly Country Director at Karuna-Shechen and Chief of Programs at Teach For Nepal, he brings a strategic lens to education, health, and food security. With a Master’s in Anthropology and Sociology and a degree in Communications from City University, London, Shalav champions collaborative, community-led change. At Oda, he focuses on empowering underserved communities through partnerships, data-driven systems, and locally rooted, equity-focused solutions.
John Christopher
Co-Founder, Director Emeritus
John founded The Oda Foundation with Karan Singh in 2013, leading Oda Foundation’s transition from a one-room cowshed (our first clinic set-up), to a village hospital and community center. With his leadership, Oda Foundation’s work was recognized by the Government of Nepal, The Aspen Institute, and many others. In addition to his ongoing work Oda, John is a consultant with The Boston Consulting Group. He earned his MBA at Columbia Business School and attended Washington and Lee University for Business Administration.
Prakash Bahadur Shahi
Hospital In-Charge and Lab In-Charge
Prakash was born and raised in Kalikot. He received his degree in medical laboratory technology from the College of Allied Health Sciences in Nepalgunj. He then completed field practice at the NGMC Teaching Hospital in Nepalgunj, the Medical College Teaching Hospital in Kohalpur, and as a lab technician in Khajura Hospital. He joined the Oda hospital team in 2019. Prakash now leads the health team as Hospital In-Charge.
Anil Dahal
Education Program Manager
Anil Dahal, born in Panchgachhi, Jhapa, Nepal, and permanent resident of Biratchowk, Morang, is a dedicated individual who has made significant contributions in education and technology. He completed his schooling in Biratchowk, Morang, and pursued a Bachelor's degree in Travel & Tourism Management from C.D.A. College in Limassol, Cyprus. Anil has extensive experience in the education sector, serving as a Managing Director and Faculty Member in various institutions.
Aditi Pokharel Partnerships and Communications Coordinator
Aditi joined the Oda Foundation in 2024. She graduated from the Asian Institute of Technology with a Master’s in Development Planning, Management, and Innovation, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from ACJ, Chennai. She has diverse experience in project management, research, and media roles. She balances her time between Oda and Kathmandu, driving partnerships, communications, and fundraising efforts for Oda and Karnali Ratna.
Tanka Prasad Chaulagai
Administrative Manager
Tanka grew up in Sarabada, a two-hour walk from Oda. After working for several years as a Lab Technician in neighboring Pili, he joined the Oda team in 2016 as part of the medical team. In 2020, he transitioned to the role of Administrative and Finance Officer, and in 2022, to Administrative Manager.
Abinash Gupta
Finance Manager
Abinash Gupta is a resident of Nawalparasi District and holds an MBA in Finance and Human Resources, withrience in various fields, including 4 years of expe Marketing, Finance, and Management. He joined the Oda Foundation in 2022 and is excited to establish sustainable business practices and promote financial transparency for the Oda Foundation.
Prem Bahadur Shahi
Ground Facilities Manager
Prem is Oda's carpenter, mason, electrician - name it and he can do it. A native of neighboring Gela, Prem joined the Oda Foundation team in 2015.
Nick Kraft
Former Country Director, Board Member
Nick became Country Director for the Oda Foundation in 2017, after serving as both an Education Fellow and a Transition Fellow. Nick split his time between Kathmandu and Oda, working with our team on strategy, partnerships, funding, and programming. Nick has worked for The Aspen Institute and graduated from University of Colorado with a degree in International Affairs and Business.
Emily Friedman
Former Director of Operations and Innovation , Board Member
Emily graduated from the University of Southern California with her Bachelors in Business Administration. She comes to the Oda Foundation with a background in Asset Based Community Development in low-income countries and three years of management consulting experience in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space. Emily was also the previous Livelihood and Education Fellow for the Foundation
Sarita Shahi Singh
Community Medical Assistant and Ultrasound Technician
From a neighboring village, Sarita joined Oda Foundation in 2013 as one of our very first medical staff. She is a leader in our clinic on data input and continuing education, including receiving a license to operate the Butterfly IQ Ultrasound available at our clinic.
Keshar Singh
Community Health Professional
Oda Foundation Scholar
Keshar was born and raised in the village of Oda. He received a scholarship from the Oda Foundation to pursue his Community Health Assistant (CHA) training. In 2018, Keshar completed his training and returned to his home village to work in the Oda Foundation clinic.
Dhan Prasad Adhikari
Clinic Assistant
A native of neighbouring Ramni, Dhan Prasad joined the Oda Foundation clinic staff in 2019. He manages registrations, patient flow, and sterilization of all medical equipment.
Tulsi Shahi Malla
Auxiliary Nurse-Midwife
From the Kalikot region, Tulsi is one of our Auxiliary Nurse-Midwives. She has additional certification hours for stillbirths and ultrasound, and her salary is sponsored by Nepal’s Ministry of Health.
Purna Singh
Pharmacy Technician and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife
Oda Foundation Scholar
Purna was born and raised in the village of Oda. She received a scholarship from the Oda Foundation to pursue her ANM and has returned to Oda to work in the Oda Foundation clinic.
Khakendra Shahi
Lab Assistant
Khakendra was born and raised in Serpu , a neighboring village to Oda. In 2017, after completing his lab assistant training in Dailekh, Khakendra returned to his home municipality to join the Oda Foundation clinic team.
Syani Kanchi Singh
Canteen Manager
An Oda native, Syani Kanchi is a crucial member of our Kitchen team since the beginning. Syani Kanchi transitioned to Canteen Manager in 2020 under Karnali Ratna and ensures that KR canteen business runs well, bringing a smile to all those around her.
Tulki Singh
Kitchen Manager
An Oda native, Tulki has been with the organization for its entire existence, and is an essential part of the heart and soul of Oda Foundation. She supports Oda team members by cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to a number of other essential tasks.
Purna BK (Punna Singh)
Agriculture Team Lead
An Oda native, Purna has been with the organization since 2015. She leads our on-campus agriculture efforts and also supports our Kitchen staff in ensuring all Oda team members are properly fed.
Dudha Shahi
Agriculture Team
Dudha supports the Karnali Ratna agriculture team.
Sampha Singh
Agriculture Team
Shampa is a great addition to our Karnali Ratna team. She works hard to ensure our buffalo’s receive all the care they need.
Kapil Bahadur Singh
Facilities Team
An Oda native, Kapil is a crucial part of our facilities team, ensuring supplies make it from the road to our campus and that campus maintenance is up to par.
Bishna Pariyar
Facilities Team
An Oda native, Bishna works in the mountains above Oda, overseeing Foundation-led agricultural activities. Working alongside the facilities team, he ensures a steady pipeline of produce to keep the team fed.
Kali Bahadur Singh
Facilities Team
An Oda native, Kali supports all grounds activities, including building projects, carrying medicine up to Oda from the road, and supplying wood for the cookfires.
Birkha Bahadur Singh
Facilities Team & Night Security
An Oda native, Birkha supports our team by ensuring supplies arrive on our campus from the road. Birkha also serves as an evening security guard.
Nepali Board of Directors
To operate in Nepal, Oda Foundation is registered with the Nepali government as Oda Foundation Nepal. Our local Nepali board has 7 members, both men and women representing castes and priorities from across the village.
Mim Karki: Chairman
Harka Bahadur Singh. Vice-President
Lale Nepali, Secretary
Jau Kusuma Singh, Treasurer
Ranipura Singh, Member
Ganga Singh, Member
Bhadde Damai, Member
U.S. Board of Directors
The Oda Foundation has an incredible group of supporters and leaders in America and abroad. Their giving, advice and hard work have provided dignity, healthcare, and opportunity to thousands who are vulnerable and in need. They support Oda Foundation’s goal to provide infrastructure and facilitate support, such that Oda Foundation’s services become fully local, self-sustaining and independent.
John Christopher, Chairman | Co-Founder, Oda Foundation; Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Larry Lawrence, Chairman Emeritus | Retired Venture Capital Fund Founder and Managing Partner
Kirk Adamson, Vice President | Principal at KSL Capital Partners
Byron Peyster, Treasurer | Principal at Boston Consulting Group
Colin Ram, Secretary | Trial Attorney at McLeod Law Group
Lisa Nelson, Secretary | VP , Finance & Programming at Grassy Creek Foundation
Sarah Webb, Board Member | MPH/MBA Candidate at Johns Hopkins University in the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Carey Business School
Peter Lawrence, Board Member | Investor at Arlington Value Capital
Nick Kraft, Board Member | Previous Country Director, Oda Foundation
U.S. Advisory Board
Peter Lawrence, Chair
Brett Ryan, Vice-Chair
Robert Christopher, Secretary & US Liaison
Brit Staniar, Communications Chair