Left to right: Ang Tshering Lama and Samphe Dorje Lhalungpa
Left to right: Ang Tshering Lama and Samphe Dorje Lhalungpa
The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has appointed two new Trustees to its Board: Samphe Dorje Lhalungpa, a Canadian Public Service Commission advisor and international development expert with 23 years of experience at UNICEF; and Ang Tshering Lama, a Nepal-based sustainability and hospitality entrepreneur.
Ang Tshering Lama and Samphe Dorje Lhalungpa’s appointments will strengthen the Board’s support of the Museum’s mission and innovative program of partnerships, traveling exhibitions, and digital initiatives for international audiences. They join the Rubin during a moment of transformation, as the Museum prepares to close its physical galleries in October and implement a fully decentralized, global model.
Samphe Dorje Lhalungpa brings to the Rubin decades of experience in international development and social justice. During his tenure with UNICEF, Lhalungpa served as the County Representative in Turkmenistan after completing assignments in Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, and more. He has managed several large-scale humanitarian projects throughout his career, including founding the Welcome to School (WTS) initiative providing education to over 400,000 students in Nepal. Lhalungpa also served as a key fundraiser for the Tibetan Resettlement Project in Canada, which provides aid to Tibetans in Arunachal Pradesh as they relocate to Ottawa.
Ang Tsherin Lama is the founder and managing director of Beyul Experiences, a travel company that operates the boutique hotel Happy House, in Phaplu, Nepal. Lama is passionate about sustainable and ethical travel and has fought for greater representation for the Sherpa community in the region. He is also the founder of outdoor recreation initiatives for youth in Nepal and Mongolia.
“We are delighted that Ang Tshering Lama and Samphe Dorje Lhalungpa will join the Rubin in our ongoing commitment to making Himalayan art, its insights, and cultural context accessible on a global scale,” says Rubin Museum Executive Director Jorrit Britschgi. “We are confident that their joint expertise in community development and international outreach will provide valuable guidance during this moment of transformation for the Museum, including furthering our partnerships and programming within the greater Himalayan region.”
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