Urmila Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Salt Trading Corporation (STC), has been honored with the ‘Manager of the Year Award’ by the Management Association of Nepal (MAN).
Shrestha has been with STC for over 37 years and has served as its CEO since 2007. Under her leadership, STC has expanded beyond its original mandate of salt distribution to include essential commodities such as sugar, rice, flour, LPG, and chemical fertilizers.
She received the award during MAN’s 44th Annual General Meeting and the National Management Convention 2025, held on Saturday, February 8, in Kathmandu.
In a statement, MAN said Shrestha was recognised for her exemplary leadership in public-private partnerships, financial sustainability, and contributions to social welfare.
Her key achievements include expanding STC’s operations to ensure the affordability and accessibility of essential goods nationwide, stabilizing commodity prices, preventing black marketing, and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of iodized salt, which now covers 94.9% of households across Nepal.
Shrestha also played a pivotal role in developing STC’s first Strategic Plan and Business Model to align business growth with national economic priorities. She led new business ventures, including Nepal’s chemical fertilizer trade initiative to support farmers, and ensured high-quality standards and regulatory compliance in STC’s operations, making iodized salt the most affordable in South Asia.
Additionally, her contributions to corporate social responsibility include supporting community development, education, disaster relief, and creating employment opportunities for over 300 women.
Similarly, MAN honoured Sneh Rajbhandari, Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at Bottlers Nepal Limited, with the ‘Women Manager Recognition Award’.
Rajbhandari has over a decade of experience in corporate leadership, with strategic roles in communications, sustainability, and corporate affairs.
Rajbhandari’s accomplishments include leading major tax policy advocacy efforts, forming Nepal’s first Food & Beverage Alliance, strengthening industry collaboration and regulatory influence. She has led Nepal’s PET waste management efforts, achieving over 200% plastic recovery rates, and represented the country on global platforms, including the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Her leadership in managing corporate reputation and government relations has ensured a favorable business environment, while her crisis management skills have been instrumental in navigating regulatory challenges related to manufacturing, taxation, and sustainability.
In addition to her corporate achievements, Rajbhandari has been a strong advocate for women’s leadership, driving initiatives to increase female representation in management. She has collaborated with organizations such as Chaudhary Group, Nepal Tourism Board, and various educational and non-profit institutions to promote digital transformation and strategic communication.
“Both recipients have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields, demonstrating excellence in leadership, sustainability, and industry development,” read the MAN’s statement.
