Nepal Asatthawasi

Nepal Asatthawasi is a nonprofit leader, strategist, and systems thinker dedicated to expanding the reach and impact of mission-driven organizations. She helps nonprofits and NGOs grow, scale, and deepen their work by strengthening their fundraising, operations, and governance while developing creative, community-centered strategies that drive systemic change. With a focus on economic and social equity, she works to ensure under-resourced organizations and those facing repression or political persecution have the tools, resources, and resilience to advance their missions and defend fundamental rights.

As a Co-Executive Director of Mechanism, she ensures that governance, operations, and strategy are braided together in creative ways that respond to emerging challenges with agility. Through this work, she helps drive national initiatives that bridge economic development, equity, and manufacturing to create more just and resilient local economies.

Previously, Nepal was the Director of Development and Operations at the Pratt Center for Community Development, a pioneering community-based urban planning organization. After Pratt Center, she helped launch The Action Lab, an initiative that convened activists, organizers, social justice leaders, artists, and cultural producers to reimagine new models of democratic engagement and build power in marginalized communities. She is also a longtime advisor to ArticleGroup, where she trains and empowers human rights NGOs and activists across the Global South to craft compelling narratives, scale their impact, and secure sustainable funding to advance human rights.

Based in New York’s Hudson Valley, Nepal serves on the board of Mid Hudson Energy Transition, helping municipalities, residents, and businesses build community-owned renewable energy, improve building efficiency, and strengthen climate resilience. She is also a founding board member of At Play Rhinebeck, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive community play spaces.

Nepal holds a BA from Columbia University and Master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and the Architectural Association School of Architecture.