Our Team &
Board Members

Program Officer

Janam joined RPN as an intern after completing her BS in Environmental Science. Her dissertation on the critically endangered Chinese Pangolin in the Kavrepalanchok district of central Nepal gave her an understanding of the importance of community science and stewardship programs to long-term wildlife conservation. She supports grant development, communications including news articles, curation of the RPN’s YouTube series Habre Guff-Gaff, report writing, and development of Impact Reports and Annual Reports. Janam is excited to work with RPN in achieving its vision and gaining more knowledge and experience with landscape-level and community-based conservation. 

You can reach me at janam.shrestha@redpandanetwork.org
Connect with me on LinkedIn

Program Associate

Munmun pursued a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. After graduation, she started her conservation journey as a volunteer assisting the zookeeper in the Central Zoo, Kathmandu. This experience enthused her love of wildlife. Five qualities paint her passion for wildlife: love, integrity, commitment, passion, and fun for nature preservation. She would like to make a call-to-action so others can join the endeavor, be involved, and work together towards advancing conservation.

You can reach Munmun at munmun.tamang@redpandanetwork.org

Administration & Finance Officer

Khagendra is responsible for RPN-Asia’s administrative and financial management and provides financial projections and accounting services.

He holds a Master's Degree in Business Studies from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Khagendra previously worked as an accountant for Shree Birta Dhanlaxmi Saving and Credit Co Ltd.

You can reach Khagendra at khagendra.karki@redpandanetwork.org

Program Development Manager

Haris first began volunteering with Bird Conservation Nepal as a university student in Kathmandu, where he received a Masters Degree in Zoology and Ecology. In 2006, he started working with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal, where he focused on helping drive conservation efforts for various wild species, including medicinal and aromatic plants, snow leopards, and red pandas. After several years at WWF, he worked on a joint initiative involving the Government of Nepal and development partners, developing community-based responses for the impact of climate change. Haris began working for Red Panda Network in 2018, and is excited to continue to find opportunities to ensure the survival of red pandas in harmony with people’s livelihood.

You can reach me at Haris.Rai@redpandanetwork.org

Conservation Officer

Dinesh’s interest in nature and wildlife conservation has been ever-present since his childhood growing up in a remote mountainous village in the Rasuwa district of Central Nepal. After completing his undergraduate studies, he joined the Himali Conservation Forum, a local partner NGO to the Red Panda Network. Dinesh loves engaging with the local community and helping them understand the value of red panda conservation activities.

You can reach me at dinesh.ghale@redpandanetwork.org

Monitoring Officer

Pema’s deep passion for conservation started as a child when she first encountered a red panda that had been attacked by wild dogs. In college, she studied forestry and became involved with several wildlife research and conservation organizations. After graduating, Pema interned for the RPN, charting the population and distribution of red pandas in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, and soon after joined RPN as a full-time Conservation Coordinator. She left RPN for three years to pursue a Master's degree in Ecosystem Management and Conservation from The University of Melbourne, and was excited to return to RPN in 2021 for her second stint, serving as Monitoring Officer, where she is in charge of implementation, reporting and communication of RPN’s community-based programs in Nepal. 

Connect with Pema on LinkedIn

Executive Director

You can reach Ang Phuri  at ang.sherpa@redpandanetwork.org. 

Conservation Program Manager

Sonam has been with Red Panda Network (RPN) since the beginning (2007). Sonam serves as RPN's Conservation Program Manager in Nepal, responsible for implementing and developing community-based conservation programs throughout the country's red panda range. 

Sonam joined RPN in 2007 as a Community Coordinator in eastern Nepal. He was responsible for conservation outreach campaigns and hiring and training Forest Guardians, now a national team of over 100 citizen scientists and conservation ambassadors. The Disney Conservation Fund recognized his grassroots work in conserving red pandas with the Disney Conservation Award 2015 and 2022 Whitley Conservation Award from Whitely Fund for Nature. His red panda conservation career has been featured in National Geographic, Guardians, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Mongabay, AllCreatures PodCast, and Nepali Times. 

Sonam works closely with RPN's partner organizations in 13 districts across Nepal to help them maximize their impacts on the ground. He has experience in project management, grant management, donor relations, education and outreach — he hosted a YouTube series called Habre Guff-Gaff — and community capacity building. 

Sonam earned an MSc in International Nature Conservation from Lincoln University in New Zealand and Goettingen University in Germany after conducting one of the most comprehensive camera trapping studies in the eastern Himalayas, which produced the first photographic evidence of a marbled cat. Sonam received the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Memorial Scholarship and Wildlife Conservation Network Scholarship for his MSc. He also holds a B.A. from Tribhuvan University. 

You can reach Sonam at sonam.lama@redpandanetwork.org

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Shiva Basnet
Office Assistant 

Shiva is RPN’s Office Assistant, providing administrative support for the team in Kathmandu. He is always smiling while serving the best black tea in Kathmandu.

Before joining RPN, Shiva worked for The Mountain Institute in various roles for 26 years. Shiva has a wife, two sons, and three grandchildren. He said, "I am very happy to work directly or indirectly in the conservation of endangered red pandas."

Project Coordinator

Prior to joining RPN, Wangchu has led grassroots conservation efforts for over a decade. His work included training people to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plants, teaching place-based outdoor learning and biointensive farming, and designing permaculture community nurseries. Wangchu also worked as a guide during the red panda ecotrips, even assisting in the production of “The Forgotten Panda” documentary, and worked as a field biologist during RPN’s red panda and tourism survey in the Myagdi district.

You can reach me at wangchu.bhutia@redpandanetwork.org

Development Coordinator

I enjoy building relationships between people and wild places so conservation initiatives can thrive. My role at RPN is to strengthen donor outreach and deepen membership engagement.

Before joining RPN, I worked in enterprise marketing, the experiential-travel industry, and nonprofit development. I have a BA in International Relations with additional work in environmental studies.

I'm also a Certified Interpretive Guide from the National Association for Interpretation, a Wilderness First Responder, and am completing studies as an Oregon Master Naturalist. When time permits, I lead educational travel programs with Road Scholar and am a volunteer webmaster at an international language school.

When not in the office I'm leading tours, storytelling, and hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail.

You can reach me at mark@redpandanetwork.org
Connect with me on LinkedIn

Deputy Director

The first time I saw a red panda (or ever heard of one) was in a zoo just after high school. It was standing on its hind legs and for a moment I was convinced it was a toddler in a costume. I have been with RPN since 2013 and I am now certain red pandas are real and feel honored to be a part of such a wonderful team that is dedicated to protecting them. I have a degree in Conservation Biology and have nearly 12 years of experience in nonprofit development.

A highlight of my time with RPN was joining one of our ecotrips to Nepal and seeing this wondrous animal in its natural habitat.

You can reach me at terrance@redpandanetwork.org
Connect with me on LinkedIn

Real Estate Investor

Norman is the Treasurer of the Board and is a graduate in Finance from Yeshiva University. His background includes working in structured finance at Merrill Lynch and trading technology stocks at Schonfeld Securities. He is currently a real estate investor and isthe founder of a real estate business that owns and manages properties in Indiana, Florida, and California. He joined the RPN board in 2019, and is passionate about preserving red banda habitats and curbing deforestation.

Curator of Applied Behavior - San Diego Zoo

Nicki is a founding board member of the Association of Professional Wildlife Educators, and has worked for the Zoological Society of San Diego for 18 years. She is currently an Associate Curator at the San Diego Zoo, and is responsible for setting up training programs for the Collection Husbandry Science Department; protocols for carnivores, primates, hoofstock, various birds, herbivores and reptiles; and managing the personnel needs for over 100 employees in the zoo’s mammal department. She was also selected to help write the curriculum for the American Association of Zoo Keepers and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums keeper training course at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

China Country Director for the National Geographic Society

Jim has worked on issues of biodiversity and sustainable development in China and the United States for over 30 years. He helped the International Crane Foundation establish its programs in China in the 1980s and 1990s, and conducted the first population census of the endangered black-necked crane in Tibet in 1991. Harkness has also served as Country Representative for the World Wide Fund for Nature in China, where he led a major expansion of their conservation programs. Jim currently serves as China Country Director for the national geographic Society, and his continued strong ties with the Chinese conservation community helps RPN with its goals of protecting red panda habitat.

The former head of conservation and research at Rotterdam Zoo, and founder of red panda GSMP. 

Angela is a trained zoologist with a strong interest in animal behavior, in particular the impact of environmental factors on reproduction and maternal behavior. Previously, Angela worked at the Rotterdam Zoo and conducted research into red panda behavior, establishing an international studbook to register all zoo red pandas, and leading the red panda European Endangered Species Program. She also previously chaired the Red Panda Global Species Management Plans (GSMP). Angela has been a supporter of Red Panda Network since its inception, encouraging European zoos to support RPN’s work and joined the Board of Directors in 2014, and now serves as the Chair.

Former Project Leader, Nordens Ark Zoo

Christer is a founding member of Foundation Nordens Ark and was deeply involved with the planning and construction of the Nordens Ark Zoo and breeding facilities. He worked for over thirty years as a bird conservation project manager for the reintroduction and restocking of the Peregrine Falcon, White-backed Woodpecker, and Lesser White-fronted Goose. He also serves as a member of various working groups and committees with the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission. Christer’s firsthand understanding of the challenges of studying red pandas in the wild inspired him to join the RPN board and helps him to better understanding this species.

Environmental Engineer

Joy is the RPN board’s administrator. She discovered red pandas as part of a 7th-grade science project, and later pursued a career to protect them and the rest of the planet as anEnvironmental Engineer. . Today, Joy is an Environmental Engineer, and she works to create more sustainable products to protect the environment. At RPN, in addition to serving on the Board, she writes online content, and is an event planning aficionado, known for her work building outreach programs for children. In her personal life, Joy is an experienced yoga teacher and a strong advocate of diversity and mentorship through her support and leadership within the Society of Women Engineers, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Regional Representative Asia - Wildlife Works Carbon LLC

Brian's first walk into the steep, terraced mid-hills of Nepal inspired him to take action in preserving the remaining forests in eastern Nepal. He first conducted research on the status of the red panda in the Ilam region of Nepal's Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung corridor, as part of his Masters studies as a Fulbright Scholar. These experiences reinforced his conviction that conservation can be achieved only with long-term commitment, and inspired him to found and manage Red Panda Network from 2005 to 2011. Brian has since transitioned to work as Regional Representative at Asia for Wildlife Works, but continues to work on the RPN board of Directors to capitalize on promises made to a community and region that has captivated his spirit.

CEO at Parc Animalier d’Auvergne
Treasurer at La Passerelle Conservation

Pascal is a founding member of La Passerelle Conservation and has worked for 10 years at Parc Animalier d’Auvergne: a zoo in France committed to conservation and supporter of Red Panda Network (RPN). He also serves as chair of the Caprinae Taxon Advisory Group for the European Zoos Association and as a member of the Caprinae Specialist Group for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He is also part of a conservation committee at AFdPZ (the French zoos association) and has co-founded Biodiv’Educ — an effort aiming at educating kids about biodiversity using the technology they use everyday. Pascal joined the RPN board in an effort to do more to protect wild red pandas by finding new ways to raise money for RPN’s community-based programs.

Attorney & Wildlife Photographer

Rafael Salvador has worked with National Geographic Explorers on wildlife photography projects and has coordinated several wildlife photography workshops in the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, and Thailand. He has been a trip leader in the previous phototrips organized by the Red Panda Network in Nepal.