BPW Member Showcase

All of us have amazing stories about how we have moved to become who we are today. BPW is founded on the principle of giving a platform and a sisterhood to Business and Professional Women, and we have done so since 1919 in the United States.
I am proud to showcase the tale of two BPW members – one in Nepal, one in the US: Two Women, One Dream: A Mother and Daughter’s Journey to Their PhDs. I am sure you will agree that they embody the empowerment of women – as they link business and education and professionalism. I am proud to be a member of an organization that has members like these!

Please share your stories with me if you like – secretary@nfbpwc.org for me to showcase your journey as well! Enjoy reading about Diya Adhikari and her mother Gita, from Diya’s perspective!

Education has always been at the heart of our family story. My mother and I, though from different generations and living thousands of miles apart, are now walking parallel paths - both working toward one shared goal: earning our PhDs.

My mother completed her master’s degree in Nepal some 15 years ago. She was raising two young children with my father, both were building a life in Kathmandu, away from the comfort and help of the family back in the village. Balancing work, parenting, and household responsibilities, she made the difficult decision to pause her academic journey to raise me and my brother.

She is one of the most insightful and capable people I know. She taught me math and English, always encouraging me to stay curious and committed. I could see in her a deep love for learning and an even deeper strength to keep going no matter what the circumstances.

Inspired by her resilience and guided by my own aspirations, I came to the United States to pursue my undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Business Analytics. My vision is to create meaningful, human-centered impact through the intersection of data, design, and purpose. Leaving home wasn’t easy, but it was a step toward building a life where I can both support my family and contribute to something larger than myself.

Back in Nepal, my mother found her own moment of return. After a 15-year academic gap, she made the decision to pursue an MPhil. It was a bold step, and like many returning students, she faced self-doubt and pressure. But she approached it with commitment and grace and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Her achievement has been more than a personal milestone. It has been a source of pride for our entire family and a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to invest in yourself. Today, as she prepares to begin her PhD, in Nepal, I plan to pursue my doctoral studies here in the U.S. once I complete my undergraduate degree.

Our individual journeys have led us to find leadership and connections beyond the classroom. My mother has been actively involved with BPW Nepal, advocating for women in leadership and education. I joined NFBPWC here in New York with her encouragement, and it has allowed me to connect with an incredible network of women professionals whose values and goals align with my own.

Our family’s tea business, Lumbini Tea House, has been the backbone of everything. It supported my mother’s return to education and made it possible for both my brother and me to study in the U.S. It carried us through and gave us the foundation to grow.
This journey is not ours alone. My father’s constant support and belief in our
potential has been instrumental.

My younger brother brings a sense of balance to our lives with his energy and encouragement. And my maternal uncle has played an  irreplaceable role in helping both my mother and me reach this point. His love for his sister and his unwavering support for his niece has been a quiet but powerful force behind everything we’ve achieved. What makes this moment special is not just academic success. It is the journey of returning, rebuilding, and rising together. Our story is about choosing growth, no matter the timing, and about creating space for new beginnings at every stage of life.

Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee
Chair