Gangalal Pradhan
Dr Dipendra Gautam PHD
Er Nabin Shrestha
Mira Shrestha
Dr Dipendra Dhakal PHD
Chiba University, Japan
Messages from Our Team
Gangalal Pradhan
President
A Message from Our Founder: Gangalal Pradhan
Namaskar
My name is Gangalal Pradhan, and I am the President and founder of the Nepali Elders Access Network, NEAN.
My journey to founding the Nepali Elders Access Network (NEAN) has been anything but linear, yet every step has been guided by a deep-seated belief in community, dignity, and the profound wisdom of our elders.
My academic roots are in understanding people and societies. I studied Economics in Nepal, but my path truly took shape when I pursued Population and Social Gerontology at Miami University and Mahidol University. There, I dedicated my thesis to an issue I knew was critical: the correlation between social integration and loneliness. This wasn’t just an academic exercise; it was a window into a silent struggle faced by so many.
After graduating in 2016, life took me through various roles—from teaching high school in Nepal, to entrepreneurship, and even working as a supervisor. However, the call to serve the elder community, the subject of my studies, never left me. My internship as a social worker at the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) in Forest Hill left an indelible mark. I saw firsthand the power of a supportive community in allowing seniors to age with grace and connection.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point. It forced all of us to reflect on what truly matters. It was during this time that I began to explore my own path, leading me to start Pradhan Capital LLC, my own small investing company, in 2022. Yet, the dream of applying my gerontology degree to serve my community continued to burn brightly.
The final, and most important, catalyst was my wife, Mira. She has always held a deep, compassionate love for our elders and would often share her thoughts on how we could help Nepali seniors both in the US and back home. One day, she turned to me and said, “You have a degree in this. Let’s build something based on your education.” At that moment, everything aligned. My academic research, my professional experiences, her heartfelt compassion, and a clear, unmet need in our community converged. We agreed, and the vision for NEAN was born.
For almost a decade, my degree in gerontology waited patiently for its true purpose. Now, in 2025, we are launching NEAN not just as an organization, but as a fulfillment of a promise—to my education, to my wife’s vision, and most importantly, to our community.
Why NEAN?
We have watched as our Nepali community in America has grown and matured over three decades. We see our beloved Hajuraamas and Hajubuwas (those who are 60 and above), who have come here through chain migration, often living in isolation. They face immense challenges: language barriers, a complex healthcare system, and the profound loneliness that stems from being cut off from the vibrant social fabric they knew. This isolation risks their wellbeing and contradicts the very values of family and respect that are the bedrock of our Nepali culture.
NEAN is our answer. It is the bridge we are building to ensure that every Nepali elder feels valued and respected for exactly who they are. Our mission is to empower them with compassionate, culturally-specific support—to combat loneliness, improve health access, foster independence, and honor them as the cherished keepers of our traditions.
This is not just an organization; this is the sewa (selfless service) and our utmost duty. My journey from a student of social gerontology to a teacher, entrepreneur, and now the founder of NEAN has equipped me with a unique perspective to build this organization with both heart and strategic purpose.
My wife, Mira, and I, along with our dedicated advisors Dr. Dipendra Gautam, Dr. Dipendra Dhakal, and ER. Navin Shrestha, invite you to join us in this sacred mission. Together, let us ensure our elders can age with the dignity, connection, and purpose they so richly deserve in this country.
With gratitude,
Gangalal Pradhan
President & Founder
Nepali Elders Access Network (NEAN) Inc.
My Story: A Lifelong Commitment to Our Elders
My name is Mira Shrestha Pradhan, and my life has been a journey guided by a simple, powerful principle: to care for others. From my early days as a teacher in Nepal, I found my purpose in nurturing growth, offering guidance, and fostering respect. This calling to serve has been the constant thread connecting every chapter of my life.
When my husband and I moved to the United States, I channeled my skills into supporting our family businesses, including Pradhan Capital LLC and our real estate ventures. While I found satisfaction in managing these enterprises, my heart always returned to a deeper, more personal mission. For years, I carried a profound thought—a need to help seniors, both in Nepal and here in my new home.
I saw the quiet struggles of our Nepali elders in America—the isolation, the cultural barriers, the longing for connection. I witnessed their strength and their wisdom, and I felt a deep desire to ensure they could live with the dignity and respect they deserve. They are the cherished keepers of our traditions, and I believed they should be honored as such.
The idea for the Nepali Elders Access Network (NEAN) was born from a conversation with my husband, Gangalal. I knew his academic background in Social Gerontology was the perfect complement to my compassionate vision. I said to him, “Let’s begin a nonprofit based on your education.” That shared dream, that fusion of heart and knowledge, became the foundation for NEAN, which we established in New York in 2025.
As Co-Founder and Director, I am dedicated to turning our shared vision into a vibrant reality. My role is not just about managing resources; it is about investing in human connection. I draw upon my experience as a teacher to educate and empower, and my background in business to ensure our organization is sustainable and effective.
At NEAN, we are building more than an organization; we are building a family. We combat loneliness by creating warm spaces for “Chiya Guff” and cultural celebration. We foster independence by teaching essential skills. We advocate for our elders’ needs and navigate the healthcare system with cultural sensitivity. My greatest hope is that every senior in our community feels seen, valued, and supported for exactly who they are.
My journey from a classroom in Nepal to founding NEAN has taught me that the most important work we can do is that which lifts up others. I am humbled and honored to serve our elders, to learn from their wisdom, and to help ensure they age with purpose, deeply rooted in our rich heritage, and fully embraced in their new home.
Mira Shrestha Pradhan
Co-Founder & Director
Nepali Elders Access Network (NEAN) Inc.
