Thaga Connect

NoemiDori Nguyen - Urban PlannerThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dori is an urban planner with a diverse skillset and range of interests. Her background in sociocultural anthropology leads her approach to equitable, inclusive and holistic planning, especially in resource-limited environments. Equipped with technical (GIS, design, surveying) and academic and experiential knowledge (climate change, disaster risk resilience, agriculture, WASH), she excels best in multi-faceted and challenging contexts.

Her projects include conducting GIS suitability analyses for IDP camp locations in post-earthquake Haiti, drafting content for Ghana’s first National Sanitation Standards, and rehabilitating public spaces in Nepal. She has designed, written and implemented projects in varied areas such as women’s economic empowerment, compost farming, and post-disaster redevelopment.

NaomiNaomi M. Saville - Senior Research Associate at University College London This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Educated to PhD level at Cambridge University, UK, Naomi has 23 years cross-cultural experience in research and development based in low-income countries, particularly Nepal but including Somaliland, India, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Trinidad and Tobago. Specialised in community-interventions for maternal and child health last 11 years. Previous specialisation: livelihood diversification using natural resources, especially beekeeping (12 years).

ChrisJohn Burke - Filmmaker - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - LinkedIn Profile

John is a cameraman and experienced video editor, specialising in the production of short films. Recent projects include promotional films for the British Embassy and UK Department for International Development in Nepal. John spent 2 years working in Uganda where he created music videos and commercials for Ugandan television. He has 4 years experience working in the hub of the UK TV production industry in Soho, London. John is a fun person to work with a can-do attitude. For examples of his work, see www.johnburkeproductions.com.

ChenChen Pathmanathan - Operations and Logistics Professional This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - LinkedIn Profile

Chen is a supply, logistics and operations manager with seven years experience in the automobile, food and humanitarian sectors for commercial and non-profit organizations. Meeting shipment and distribution deadlines, establishing supply and logistics channels, improving processes and systems, and client service standards in time sensitive contexts. He has achieved strategic outcomes for businesses including: identifying and developing commercial partnerships, establishing sources of supply and contracting new markets. He is passionate about start-ups and has successfully led on operationalizing small businesses in India. Chen has multi-industry, cross sector experience and expertise in working cross-functionally, aligning people and resources, identifying and addressing client needs, consistently delivering results that exceed expectations.

NituNita Bhave - Data and Communications Professional This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nita has ten years of experience in data applications and analysis in the transportation planning field. She worked with travel demand models forecasting traffic patterns in North Carolina, USA, honing analytical skills including geographic information systems, mathematical manipulations, and statistical analyses. Another area of expertise Nita offers is within communication, specifically concise and effective writing, editing and proofreading, program coordination and software and skills training. Her background in Industrial Engineering and Urban Planning and knack for communication provide a distinct set of skills

NicoleNicole Umemoto - Public Health Consultant - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - LinkedIn Profile

Nicole has a Master’s in Public Health, specializing in global health and behavioral sciences and health education. She has over 15 years of experience working on international health programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America, both as a program manager and a technical consultant. She has a particular interest in maternal and child health and nutrition but has also worked in the areas of HIV/AIDS & reproductive health, migrant health and early childhood care and development.

HeidiHeidi M Wilson - Public Health and Organizational Management Professional - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - LinkedIn Profile

Heidi is a public health and organizational development professional specializing in comprehensive community-based participatory planning. She has 15 years of public health experience managing environmental health, WASH, drug addiction, community health assessment, performance standards and workforce development programs. She has spent most of her career building the capacity of local government entities and NGOs move from visioning to results. Heidi has provided technical assistance, training, facilitation, and project management for a wide range of clients including UN organizations, international NGOs, local government agencies, Native American agencies, and community- and faith-based organizations.

JoshJosh Alcock - Management Consultant - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With complimentary careers in the UK public sector and in private business Josh brings a breath of experience and passion to his Management Consulting. Josh is passionate about making good things happen and has a keen entrepreneurial spirit.

In the UK National Health Service (NHS) Josh has led numerous consultancy projects across strategic change, service improvement and project management. 

BaharBahar Kumar - Public Health Consultant - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bahar is a Public Health and Development professional with over 15 years of experience in project management and implementation. She has strong communication and coordination skills working with diverse partnerships. Her expertise focuses on capacity building, organizational development, community engagement, and service-based research. She believes in bringing out the best potential in people and has a heart for mentoring others. She has a no nonsense, roll up your sleeves approach, is process oriented, and thrives in developing her team for success. A visionary, builder, creative problem solver, and strategic thinker, she is invaluable to any organization serious in fulfilling its mission.

AliAli Malcolm - Freelance writer, editor and researcher - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - LinkedIn Profile

Ali is a consultant editor, writer and researcher based in Nepal, with experience working in Canada, Malawi, Ghana, Korea and Kuwait. She specializes in editing for non-native English speakers, and can edit and write diverse genres including fiction, non-fiction, reports, newsletters, press releases, news articles, websites. Her background in education, combined with experience as a researcher in development education and as an editor and writer, have provided her with a unique skill set. She is able to synthesize information and work with the content and structure of a document (as well as the English and grammar) to draw out key messages for results orientated publications.

JaddonJaddon Park - Development Education and School Improvement Specialist - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - LinkedIn Profile

Jaddon is an experienced consultant, researcher, and educator specializing in teacher training, development, and school improvement. His PhD in education development has contributed to over 15 years experience working with non-profits, schools, and development agencies in South Asia. Jaddon is adept at working with all levels of stakeholders in the education arena including students, teachers, administrators, policy makers and government for results-oriented change. 

He is currently supporting BlinkNow as the part-time Director of Curriculum and Staff Development in Surkhet, Nepal. Jaddon has expertise in supporting whole school improvement in low-income country contexts and is particularly interested in innovative pedagogy.

Kirsteen MerrileesKirsteen Merrilees - Infrastructure and Management Consultant - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kirsteen has 20 years’ experience in roads and rural infrastructure with degrees in engineering and social development and skills and experience gained in the UK, Asia and Africa. Her work has focused on improving infrastructure asset management through the full project cycle and to mainstream safeguards. She has experience in disaster resilience and wants to support the planning, construction and sustainable asset management of resilient infrastructure; to build community resilience to natural disasters and to support the post 2015 earthquake recovery programme. She is also involved in promoting professional development in Nepal’s Engineering community. 

Kirsteen MerrileesTheresa Bastrup - Designer and Social Entrepreneur - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With more than 17 years' experience in retail sourcing, buying and product development for large and smaller companies, Theresa brings in-depth knowledge to enterprises in developing countries.Theresa’s passion is to support and encourage young talented entrepreneurs to make sustainable products that can have a long term impact. She is currently the Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Day in Nepal and focuses on building a network sharing local platforms, developing sustainable and transparent supplier chains, and attracting overseas buyers. She also owns Vintage Himalayas, recycling old saris turning them into contemporary styles and produces home accessories using traditional Nepali techniques. 

Stephanie TourbierStéphanie Tourbier - English-French-German Translator - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stéphanie has worked within the world of children’s publishing in London for the last ten years, and now wishes to focus on her linguistic abilities and hone her translating skills. She is bilingual French and English (French Baccalauréat and BA from Durham University) and has a good level of German (Sprachdiplom). She is creating a freelance translation and proof reading portfolio, with emphasis on French to English and English to French content.

SabinaSabina Shrestha - Management Consultant - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As a management consultant and certified mediator, Sabina helps organizations navigate project management hurdles with a focus on changing regulatory landscape and strategic management of subsequent challenges and opportunities. With experience in managing public-private partnership, strategy development, due diligence, merger and acquisition, procurement and vendor management, Sabina has worked extensively in North America and Western Europe with Fortune 500 companies, startups and non-profits.
She is currently advising local partners on rebuilding Nepal post-earthquake through economic and educational empowerment of women and youth.

Nabina RajbhandariNabina Rajbhandari - Public Health - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nabina has a Master’s Degree in Health Policy and Management and over fourteen years of experience in public health and overall development issues. She brings a wide range of skill sets that include strategic planning and coordination, programme management, and monitoring and evaluation. She has experience working in humanitarian, recovery and transitional settings, on HIV programming, and in addressing gender inequality.

 

Nicola Weir - Co-Founder and Management Consultant - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nicola is a Management Consultant and has worked around the world for Accenture and Deloitte and more recently as an independent contractor. As a Senior Manager at Deloitte, Nicola led a range of business transformation projects with multinational clients. She headed up the Technology Advisory service line in Tanzania winning and delivering projects in systems transformation, business process redesign, project management and training.