Dr. Maheshwar Prasad Yadav is a visionary development leader and scholar dedicated to advancing equitable, sustainable, and resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems in Nepal and beyond. With over two decades of experience across national and international development organizations, including the United Nations system, he brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, academic rigor, and field-grounded insight to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Water for Health (NEWAH).

Dr. Yadav holds a PhD in Management, along with dual master’s degrees in Management and Sociology. His academic excellence and intellectual contribution to national development have been formally recognized through the prestigious Nepal Bidhya Bhusan ‘Ka’ Award, conferred by the Government of Nepal in 2023.

As a thought leader in sustainable development, Dr. Yadav has authored more than 28 peer-reviewed journal articles, written two books on entrepreneurship and sustainable development, and contributed over 200 analytical articles to national media platforms. His work explores the intersection of WASH, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic transformation, with a strong focus on systems change, inclusion, and long-term sustainability. He is a regular contributor to international knowledge platforms, having presented more than 25 research papers and participated in over 30 global conferences and development forums.

With more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in the WASH sector, Dr. Yadav has led complex, multi-partner programs supported by organizations such as charity: water (USA), USAID, SIMAVI, RAIN Foundation, SNV, and others. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening institutional systems, deepening partnerships, and translating innovation into scalable impact. He is widely regarded as a leading Nepali development expert with a strong track record in strategic transformation, policy influence, and organizational strengthening.

As CEO of NEWAH, Dr. Yadav provides strategic direction to position the organization as a forward-looking, learning-oriented, and impact-driven national institution. He champions locally led solutions, municipal-level system strengthening, and inclusive WASH services that leave no one behind. In parallel, he serves as the strategic focal person for charity: water, USA, fostering strong global partnerships and ensuring the effective delivery of high-impact WASH programs across Nepal.

Dr. Yadav’s leadership is driven by a clear vision: to build resilient systems, empower institutions and communities, and ensure that safe water, sanitation, and hygiene are realized as fundamental rights for all.