For over two decades, I have led communication, strategy and social behaviour change initiatives across eight countries—helping governments, partners, and communities translate evidence into action. I bring a unique blend of expertise spanning social and behaviour change (SBC), strategic communications, marketing, and partnerships across eight countries in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
Currently serving as Regional Advisor for Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) with UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, I provide strategic direction and innovation leadership to 21 countries. My role centers on embedding participation, behavioural insights, and accountability to affected populations into national systems — ensuring development is not only data-driven but also deeply human. Here, I have spearheaded the creation of the Academia for SBC Network — a consortium of 24 universities across 16 countries — to institutionalize social and behaviour change within higher education and sustainable development.
Before this, I led UNICEF India’s SBC portfolio, managing one of the organization’s largest communication teams and supporting the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination campaign — a response that reached nearly two billion people and was recognized with the Public Relations Society of India’s National “Pride of India” Award for its life-saving communication efforts.
I have also held senior communication roles in Rwanda, South Sudan, Ghana and the Pacific Islands leading work that bridged emergency response, media engagement, youth participation and community-driven change.
My path to international development began in the private sector, working with leading communication and marketing agencies in South Asia, including Thompson Nepal (WPP Group), where I specialized in social marketing and brand strategy. Those formative years instilled an understanding of how storytelling, design and audience insight can move markets and mindsets alike. Later, I advised on many consultancies on communication, SBC and social marketing projects for organizations such as FHI360/USAID, GTZ and Population Services International (PSI) — experiences that grounded my approach to linking research, creativity and social impact.
A co-author of Essentials for Excellence (E4E) — a global resource on researching and evaluating strategic communication — and the Guide on Child-Friendly Participation, I continue to contribute to the evolving field of development communication and participatory design. My current interests include the intersection of behavioural science, digital innovation and public policy with a focus on how communities themselves can co-create solutions to today’s most urgent challenges.
Holding an MBA in Marketing and Advertising from Kathmandu University (Lancaster-affiliated) and leadership certifications from Harvard University and INSEAD Business School, I remain passionate about mentoring the next generation of communicators.
At the core of my practice is a belief that sustainable change begins with trust, inclusion, and community-led accountability. Every communication strategy, every partnership, every campaign is an opportunity to affirm dignity and shared purpose.