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.
RajKumari Dura
Managing Director
Raj Kumari, originally from Lamjung, completed a Master's degree in Sociology from Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, and has more than 10 years of experience working in the development sector. She is passionate about working in community development and outcomes among vulnerable populations. With a strong social science research background, Raj Kumari is involved in various feminist networks and research projects which contribute to Gender Equality and Disability Social Inclusion perspectives in the development sector.
Tanka Prasad Chaulagai
Administrative Officer
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 with the medical team, and in 2020, transitioned to Administrative Officer.
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.
Krishana Bahadur Singh
Hospital In-Charge and Community Health Professional
Krishna was born and raised in Simkhet, a neighboring village to Oda. In 2018, after completing his Health Assistant (HA) training in Nepalgunj, Krishna returned to his home municipality to join the Oda Foundation clinic team. Krishana now leads the health team as Hospital In-Charge.
Prem Bahadur Shahi
Facilities Manager
Prem is Oda's carpenter, mason, electrician - just name it and he can do it. A native of neighboring Gela, Prem joined the Oda Foundation team in 2015.
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.
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.
Lucy Martin-Patrick
Youth Program and Fellowship Coordinator
Lucy is returning to The Oda Foundation in a new role, Youth Program and Fellowship Coordinator. Lucy is currently studying BA International Development and Arabic at The University of Sussex. Lucy previously worked with The Oda Foundation as the 2018-2019 Education fellow, per her initial work in creating Oda’s youth group began. Lucy aims to expand the Youth Program, while ensuring its sustainability over the next year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Emily Friedman
Director of Operations and Innovation
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
Syani Kanchi Singh
Kitchen and Facilities Team
An Oda native, Syani Kanchi is a crucial memebr of our Kitchen team. Syani Kanchi ensures all staff are well fed, and brings a smile to all those around her.
Dudha Shahi
Agriculture Team
Dudha supports the Karnali Ratna agriculture team.
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.
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.
Purna BK (Punna Singh)
Agriculture Team Lead
An Oda native, Purna has been with the organization since 2015. She works with our Kitchen staff in ensuring all Oda team members are properly fed and leads our on-campus agriculture efforts.
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.
Rai Pariyar (Rakesh Damai)
Facilities Team
An Oda native, Rai works in the mountains above Oda, overseeing Foundation-led agricultural activities. Working alongside his two sons, 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.
Prakash Bahadur Shahi
Lab In Charge
Prakash was born and raised in Kalikot. He received his medical lab technician degree from The College of Allied Health Science in Nepalgunj. He then completed field practice at NGMC Teaching Hospital in Nepalgunj and Medical College Teaching Hospital in Kohalpur. While working for one year as a lab technician in Khajura Hospital, he received basic malarial microscopic training with the blood bank division. He joined the Oda hospital team in 2019.
Abinash Gupta
Finance Officer
Abinash Gupta is a resident of Nawalparasi District and has an MBA in Finance and HR and has 4 years of experience in various fields such as Marketing, Finance and Managing. He is excited to establish sustainable business practices and financial transparency for The Oda Foundation and to help the Oda community.
Aditi Pokharel Partnerships and Communications Coordinator
Aditi joined the Oda Foundation in 2024. She graduated from the Asian Institute of Technology with a Masters in Development Planning Management and Innovation. 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.
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.
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