Guest Session for MBA First Semester 2026 – Advanced Project Management Module – 24th February 2026

Embark College hosted an engaging and highly practical Guest Session on the Advanced Project
Management Module for first-semester MBA students on 24th February 2026. The session was
facilitated by Ms. Damayanthi Joshi, a seasoned banking professional with over 13 years of hands-on
experience at Nepal SBI Bank Limited. Currently serving as Branch Manager at the Kalanki branch and
heading the Koshi Province operations, Ms. Joshi has previously held key leadership roles including Head
of Human Resource (HoD-HR), Head of Compliance, and leader of the Educational Loan Processing
Cell—a specialized unit focused on streamlining education financing services. As Vice President of the
Human Resources Society Nepal (HRSN), she brings deep expertise in people management,
organizational governance, compliance, and leading transformative initiatives in Nepal’s competitive
banking landscape.

The session centered on why advanced project management demands mastery of certain key areas that
go beyond basic tools and techniques to deliver true strategic impact. Ms. Joshi explained in a clear,
flowing narrative that while entry-level project management focuses on timelines, budgets, and
deliverables, advanced practice elevates projects into vehicles for organizational change, risk resilience,
and long-term value creation especially critical in Nepal’s banking sector where projects often involve
regulatory complexity, multi-stakeholder coordination, and resource limitations.

She elaborated that stakeholder management is one of the most vital key areas because banking projects rarely operate in isolation. Initiatives like branch modernizations, digital banking rollouts, compliance system upgrades, HR policy implementations, or centralized loan processing overhauls engage senior leadership, regulators from Nepal Rastra Bank, employees across departments, customers, and external partners. Ms. Joshi described how poor stakeholder alignment frequently causes scope creep, delays, or resistance, drawing from her own experience leading province-level operations and centralized units. She emphasized proactive mapping of influence and interest, transparent communication, negotiation of trade-offs, and building consensus to secure commitment and minimize disruptions turning potential conflicts into collaborative momentum.

Another essential key area she highlighted was change management intertwined with people leadership.
In her HR leadership roles, Ms. Joshi has overseen projects that required shifting mindsets, restructuring
teams, or adopting new systems amid cultural and hierarchical dynamics common in Nepali
organizations. She stressed that technical delivery succeeds only when the human side is addressed:
anticipating employee concerns, motivating diverse teams, resolving conflicts constructively, and
fostering adoption through inclusive approaches and emotional intelligence. This people-centric focus
ensures projects not only launch successfully but sustain benefits long after completion, preventing
reversion to old practices.

Risk navigation in regulated, uncertain environments stood out as another core key area. Ms. Joshi
explained that advanced risk management moves from simple lists to dynamic strategies—scenario
planning for regulatory changes, contingency budgeting for operational hiccups (such as system
downtimes or seasonal factors), and ongoing monitoring to protect outcomes. She shared insights from
compliance-driven projects and branch expansions, illustrating how early identification and mitigation
preserve budgets, maintain regulatory standards, and safeguard stakeholder trust in high-stakes settings.

She also discussed performance measurement and benefits realization as frequently overlooked yet
crucial key areas. Advanced project managers must track not just on-time/on-budget metrics but ensure
strategic payoffs, improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer service, stronger organizational
capabilities, or better risk controls through meaningful indicators and post-implementation reviews. Ms.
Joshi noted that in Nepal’s banking context, where resources are constrained and ROI scrutiny is high,
demonstrating tangible, sustained value justifies investments and informs future priorities.

The session featured interactive elements, including discussions on banking-inspired mini-cases where
students applied these key areas: stakeholder analysis, change impact assessment, and risk mitigation
planning receiving Ms. Joshi’s practical, experience-based feedback. This approach helped participants
see how these elements interconnect and adapt to real organizational constraints.

Ms. Joshi’s impressive career trajectory from HR and compliance leadership to province head and branch management, combined with her advocacy through HRSN provided authentic, inspiring context.
Students appreciated her relatable examples and emphasis on blending analytical rigor with
human-centered leadership.

The session concluded with an open Q&A on developing these key areas through certifications,
internships, on-the-job rotations, and self-reflection, as well as career paths in project-oriented banking
or broader management roles. Participants departed with a deeper appreciation for advanced project
management as a strategic leadership discipline tailored to Nepal’s evolving business realities.

Embark College remains committed to industry-relevant education by inviting accomplished leaders like
Ms. Damayanthi Joshi, ensures MBA students gain not only theoretical depth but the nuanced understanding of key areas needed to lead successful, impactful projects in Nepal’s dynamic banking and corporate sectors.