Karma Tshering
Karma is an Administration and Human Resource professional with a strong academic foundation in finance and extensive leadership experience. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Finance from Royal Thimphu College, Bhutan, which equipped him with comprehensive knowledge of financial management, organizational operations, and administrative systems. With over five years of experience as Chairman of a Cooperative, he was responsible for overseeing administrative functions, coordinating human resource activities, maintaining official records, and liaising with members and key stakeholders to ensure smooth and efficient organizational operations. This role enhanced his expertise in leadership, organizational governance, coordination, and professional documentation.
Singye Tobden
Singye Tobden is a dedicated learner and the youngest staff, who successfully obtained a Diploma in Financial Management from the Royal Institute of Management and gained valuable experience as an intern in the Finance Department at Tsirang Dzongkhag. He eagerly welcomes new challenges and sees distinctions and setbacks as chances for his own personal growth and advancement.
Lobzang Jurme
Lobzang Jurme is a creative and passionate individual who enjoys writing, gaming, and sightseeing. He is driven to learn and develop himself and sees learning as a constant process. Lobzang is inspired by a feeling of purpose to impact the world and realize his long-lost ambition positively. He is always up for a challenge, whether learning about new cultures and landscapes or delving into the depths of the human psyche through his writing. Lobzang will surely achieve his personal and professional goals and leave his mark!
Khandu
Khandu holds a Master’s degree in Buddhist Philosophy and has diverse experience in research, education, media, and programme management. He currently serves as a Culture Programme Officer at Loden Foundation, where he previously worked as an Administrative Officer for five years. Before joining the Foundation, he worked as a Researcher with Shejun Agency, contributing to several Endangered Archives Programme (EAP) and Oral projects. He also served as Dzongkha Chief Editor and Translator at The Journalist Pvt Limited. His earlier experience includes teaching Dzongkha at Phuntshothang Middle Secondary School and Philosophy at Dogar Phudrub Goenpa Shedra after completing his studies from Gangteng Buddhist University.
Tendel Zangpo
After completing his monastic education in 2003, Tendel worked as Assistant Dzongkha Editor at KMT Press. He completed his higher secondary education in Language and Culture Studies in 2015. At Loden, Tendel handles publication and textual projects. He is among one of the only three textual experts trained in photographic documentation of old texts.
Dorji Gyeltshen
Dorji Gyeltshen worked as a lecturer at College of Language and Culture Studies, RUB, teaching subjects like Bhutanese language, literature, culture, history, and Buddhist philosophy for seven years. He has served as Head of the Rigzhung Department and Coordinator of the Research Center for Buddhist Studies. Dorji is the author of several publications, and he has translated and edited numerous treatises and books. His most recent work is the Teacher and Student Manual for Dzongkha Academic Skills. He is currently leading the Loden Foundation’s culture programme.
Karma Losel Yangnyen
Karma Losel Yangnyen holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the College of Natural Resources. Before joining the Loden Foundation, he worked as a Program Officer at the Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative, an organisation under the Civil Society Organization- Lhomon Society in Bhutan dedicated to empowering local communities in the region.
Jigme Drukpa
Ayang Music School, founded by Mr. Jigme Drukpa, is a private institution dedicated to nurturing the musical talents of Bhutanese people. Recognizing the evolution of traditional Bhutanese music into contemporary genres, the school quickly rose to prominence as a leading provider of high-quality music training programs. In addition to its teaching, Ayang Music School offers professional consultancy services and has collaborated with esteemed institutions such as the Royal Academy of Performing Arts. Mr. Jigme Drukpa, himself an accomplished traditional musician, was honoured with the Loden Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2013, a recognition of his vision in blending cultural preservation with modern innovation in Bhutan’s music landscape.
Lama Sonam Gyamtsho
Lama Sonam Jamtsho fulfilled the wish of his teacher, Chatral Rinpochhe, by establishing a monastery in the remote sacred valley of Beyul Langdrak. Recognizing the need for income to sustain the project, he founded an incense factory, humorously remarking, “My business is monk.” Drawing on his entrepreneurial skills, he sourced nearly all ingredients from the valley’s abundant medicinal plants. In 2014, he was honoured with the Loden Entrepreneur of the Year Award, as the incense factory became not only a financial success but also a model of altruism—creating jobs for poor families and supporting the education of young monks. With humility, Lama Sonam proudly shows the monastery’s new kitchen, refectory, and guesthouse, facilities that now shelter monks from the rain and snow. Balancing his monastic duties with enterprise, he can often be seen in Thimphu seeking new customers, proving that religious devotion and entrepreneurship can coexist. Lama Sonam demonstrates that spiritual leaders can, in fact, be among the most impactful contributors to an altruistic economy.
Tshewang Dem
Tshejor Ayzey was founded in 2010 by Mrs. Tshewang Dem, who envisioned producing authentic Bhutanese pickles using a distinctive blend of local ingredients. What began as a homemade initiative quickly gained popularity, leading to larger-scale production to meet rising market demand. To reach chili enthusiasts abroad, Mrs. Tshewang developed packaging that made her pickles easy to transport, extending their appeal beyond Bhutan’s borders.
As a pioneering female entrepreneur, she is committed to inspiring other women to pursue financial independence through enterprise. Her efforts were recognized nationally when she received the Loden Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2015, a testament to her innovation and impact in reducing reliance on imported pickles while promoting Bhutanese flavours.
Pushpa Chhetri
In Bhutan, the media has emerged as a powerful instrument of social, political, and economic change and has substantially evolved in recent years. Yet, the majority of media employees in Bhutan today do not receive adequate training. Bhutan Media Institute plays a crucial role in training competent and independent result-oriented professionals in the fields of PR and Communication. BMI provides a wide range of effective training suited for both experienced professionals who wish to grow their skills and inexperienced individuals who plan on working in media.
Kinley Dema
Bubu Bakery is the pioneering bakery in Lobesa, introducing elegant and delicious pastries to meet the area’s growing demand. Renowned as a leading establishment, it offers a wide selection of premium-quality cakes at affordable prices. Under the leadership of Ms. Kinley Dema, the bakery employs three skilled staff members and a driver to provide convenient door-to-door delivery services. Beyond its standard offerings, Bubu Bakery also specializes in beautifully crafted custom cakes for birthdays and other special occasions, ensuring every celebration is memorable.