Menila Kharel is an experienced development professional with nearly 20 years of strategic and technical leadership across Nepal and Asia. Before joining iDE as the Director of Programs, she served as Deputy Chief of Party for a USAID-funded project. She brings deep expertise in agroecology, regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, food systems, and market system development. Over the years, she has held various leadership roles in national and international NGOs, overseeing business development, thematic leadership, and knowledge management. Menila holds a Doctorate in Environmental Science with a focus on Good Agricultural Practices, as well as Master’s degrees in Sociology from Tribhuvan University and in Organic Agriculture from Wageningen University. A firm believer in continuous learning and reflection, she is passionate about writing—whether through opinion pieces in national newspapers or publishing research in international high-impact journals. She lives with her husband and daughter, and cherishes quality time with her family.