Sakin Shrestha
Advisory Member
Sakin Shrestha is a highly influential figure in the WordPress community in Nepal, known as a technology entrepreneur and dedicated WordPress developer. His impact began in 2012 with the launch of Catch Themes and Catch Plugins, following the early success of his free themes like Catch Box and Simple Catch, which established a significant presence on WordPress.org. Beyond his product companies, Shrestha is a foundational member of WordPress Nepal and has been instrumental in championing the platform locally by actively organising numerous WordCamps and meetups across the country. His contributions also extend to the core project through theme reviews, plugin development, and translating WordPress into Nepali, making him a leading force in empowering Nepali developers and fostering a robust local digital ecosystem.
Chandra Maharzan
Advisory Member
Chandra Maharzan is a pivotal figure in the formation of the WordPress community in Nepal, known as a pioneer who helped plant the seed for the country’s vibrant digital ecosystem. As one of the co-founders of WordPress Nepal, alongside Sakin Shrestha and Ujwal Thapa, he was crucial in transitioning the local IT sector’s perception of WordPress from a simple blogging tool to a powerful enterprise-level Content Management System. His pivotal moment came after attending WordCamp San Francisco in 2011, which motivated him to initiate the very first WordPress meetups in Nepal. This foundational effort led to the organization of the inaugural WordCamp Nepal in 2012, establishing an annual tradition that has since inspired and connected thousands of enthusiasts and professionals. His enduring legacy in the tech community is centered on his early foresight and organizational efforts that successfully launched and sustained the WordPress movement, fostering a platform for local developers and entrepreneurs to thrive.
Late Ujwal Thapa
Special Mention
Ujwal Thapa was one of the co-founders of the WordPress Nepal community, a pivotal figure whose entrepreneurial vision significantly contributed to the nation’s IT industry. Recognising the potential of WordPress beyond blogging, Thapa founded the IT company Digital Max Solutions (DMS) in 2002. His work and influence, alongside co-founders Sakin Shrestha and Chandra Maharzan, were instrumental in the early days of establishing the WordPress movement and hosting the first WordCamps in Nepal. Thapa was proud of fostering this community, stating that it created thousands of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in the country. His overall dedication to empowering the youth and promoting entrepreneurship—also evidenced by his founding of the Entrepreneurs for Nepal Facebook group—cemented his legacy as a courageous visionary who helped lay the groundwork for Nepal’s thriving WordPress and tech sector.
Manoj Gyawali
Financial advisor
Since 2022, Manoj Gyawali has embodied steadfast dedication to the WordPress Community, demonstrating an unyielding commitment to its growth and excellence. His profound and influential engagement within the WordPress Nepal community stands as a cornerstone of progress, vividly illustrated through his comprehensive profile. Remarkably, he has excelled as an organizer for WordCamp Kathmandu and WordCamp Nepal, brilliantly highlighting his exceptional leadership prowess and masterful organizational abilities.