Nirmal Kajee Shrestha, Vice President and General Manager of MetLife Nepal, has established himself as a prominent professional in Nepal’s life insurance industry, bringing more than 23 years of sector experience and over three decades of professional exposure spanning insurance, hospitality and aviation.

Shrestha joined MetLife Nepal in October 2002, beginning his career within agency management and progressing through increasingly senior responsibilities. He served as Sales Manager, Agency Director and Chief Distribution Officer, with oversight of Agency, Bancassurance and Corporate Solutions. These roles enabled him to develop extensive expertise in insurance distribution, customer engagement, sales management and business development.

A defining milestone came on July 1, 2017, when Shrestha was appointed CEO/Vice President and General Manager of MetLife Nepal, becoming the first Nepali citizen to lead the organization. His appointment represented an important advancement for local leadership within a global financial services institution. Under his leadership, MetLife Nepal has continued to strengthen its presence and expand access to life insurance, maintaining offices across all seven provinces.

Driving Digital Innovation

Shrestha has also played a role in advancing digital engagement within Nepal’s insurance sector. Under his leadership, MetLife Nepal’s Health Risk Assessment campaign for the One by MetLife app generated more than 10,000 new registrations within five weeks. The initiative was subsequently recognized as “Social Media Initiative of the Year Nepal” at the Insurance Asia Awards 2025 in Singapore, highlighting the potential of digital platforms to enhance customer engagement and insurance services.

His leadership has further contributed to organizational excellence and workplace development. MetLife Nepal received the 2023 HRM Nepal Award for Corporate Excellence in the Insurance category, recognizing its professionalism, social responsibility and innovative customer and community initiatives. The company also achieved Great Place to Work certification in 2025 and continued the certification in 2026, reflecting its emphasis on workplace culture and employee engagement.

Leadership Beyond Corporate Boundaries

Beyond his executive responsibilities, Shrestha has contributed to Nepal’s broader business and insurance ecosystem. He is a founding member and immediate past President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal and has served as President/Chairman of the Life Insurers’ Association Nepal (JEBISAN). Through these leadership roles, he has supported industry collaboration, professional dialogue and stronger connections within Nepal’s business community.

Before entering the insurance sector, Shrestha gained approximately 10 years of experience in hospitality and aviation, including seven years with leading hotels and three years with Air India. This diverse professional foundation has contributed to his broad understanding of customer service, operational management and service-oriented business.

Shrestha holds an MBA in Marketing from Tribhuvan University and is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI). He also holds the Associate, Customer Service (ACS) designation from LOMA, USA.

With a career defined by professional progression, customer-focused innovation, institutional leadership and industry engagement, Nirmal Kajee Shrestha represents a strong model of contemporary leadership in Nepal’s life insurance sector. His journey from agency management to becoming the first Nepali leader of MetLife Nepal reflects the value of experience, strategic vision and sustained professional commitment.

His contributions make him a compelling candidate for the Asian Professional Achievement Award 2026 – Visionary  Leadership in Life Insurance & Financial Services Award, recognizing leadership that combines business performance with innovation, accessibility, organizational excellence and wider industry development.