Rajendra Gautam, Ph.D. (h.c.) in Social Work is a social entrepreneur and community development expert with a strong track record in leading sustainable education, health and rural development initiatives across Nepal. With an academic background in Social Work, Gautam has committed his career to driving positive change through grassroots-level engagement and strategic partnerships.
A passionate social work professional, Gautam has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both nonprofit and development sectors. He is the 60th President of the Rotary Club of Kathmandu – the first Rotary Club of Nepal and a Past President of the Rotaract Club of Kathmandu, where he fostered youth leadership and community service.
His work in disaster management has been transformative, especially in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake, during which he spearheaded the reconstruction of 20 destroyed schools, helping to restore education and hope for thousands of children. Gautam’s integrated approach spans disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and sustainable recovery, with a deep focus on rebuilding resilient communities.
Beyond humanitarian efforts, Gautam plays an active role in promoting economic empowerment and finance. He serves as the Chairman of Shantipur Saving & Credit Co-operative Ltd., Founder/Chairman of Solidarity Investment Group Pvt. Ltd., Co-Founder & CEO of Sambhav Inc. (Australia & Nepal) and Founder of Chhimeki Investment Company Pvt. Ltd.
His contributions to peace building, rural sustainability, and youth empowerment have earned him accolades at both national and international levels, including the “Peace Hero 2019” award. He is also a recipient of the Rotary New Generations Service Exchange Fellowship and the Royce and Jean Abbey Vocational Scholarship from The Rotary Foundation.
He participated in a Youth Exchange program in Hong Kong and served as an international delegate at RYLA in Bangladesh. He has also delivered keynote addresses at Rotary State, District, and Pacific Conferences in several countries, further enriching his global perspective on revitalizing rural communities. He is also an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Bordertown in South Australia and is actively leading impactful initiatives, including the construction of girl-friendly toilets in remote schools, organizing childbirth education training programs to save the lives of mothers and women in collaboration with Rotary Vocational Teams, and distributing school bags to thousands of students in underserved communities.
He began his Rotary journey with the Rotaract Club of Kathmandu in 2008/09 and went on to serve as the Club President in 2014/15. He also held key leadership roles in Rotaract District 3292, including Zonal Rotaract Representative and Assistant District Leadership Trainer. He joined the Rotary Club of Kathmandu on July 5, 2017, and served as Webmaster in 2018/19. Demonstrating his dedication to service, he chaired the Service Projects Committee for three consecutive years 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22- significantly advancing the club’s service initiatives. He later served as Club Secretary in 2022/23, Vice-President in 2023/24, and was elected President-Elect for 2025/26. He now he is the youngest President in the history of the Rotary Club of Kathmandu. He is also the Member of International Service Committee 2025-26 at Rotary International District, 3292.
Gautam continues to inspire through his dedication to inclusive development, compassionate leadership, and unwavering service to humanity.
He has traveled to numerous countries across Asia and the Pacific, including Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. He is happily married to Samikshya Khanal.
