Mr. Khara Timsina is the Executive Director of the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP). He was born in Bhutan and came to the US in 2009 after 17 years in a refugee camp in Nepal, and cofounded BCAP in 2012. He is also a cofounder of the organization and served as its first Vice President, and its second President before becoming the Executive Director in 2017. Mr. Timsina was one of the 8 refugee leaders nationwide to be recognized by President Obama in 2016 for his contributions in supporting a more welcoming America, locally in Allegheny County.
Engagements: Past/Present
• Racial Equity Subcommittee on COVID Vaccination of Governor Tom Wolf’s Office of Advocacy & Reform
• Co-Chair of the Allegheny County’s DHS Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Council.
• Member of the Welcoming Pittsburgh Steering Committee of the City of Pittsburgh.
• Vision Council of the Jefferson Community Collaborative, an initiative of the Jefferson Regional Foundation.
• Allegheny County Safety and Justice Community Advisory Committee.
Awards and Recognitions:
• Recognized by the Obama Administration in Washington DC in 2017.
• Advancing PA Forward Award by Governor Tom Wolf
• Best Community Service Award by Global Bhutanese Organization in 2022. • The Power of Diversity 2023: AAPI 100 List.
Community Vitality Collaborative of the Children's Hospital of University of Pittsburgh, led by Dr. Maya Ragavan
Public Health Infrastructure Design Team led by Michael Yonas at The Pittsburgh Foundation.
Allegheny County Executive and DHS's Safety and Justice Community Advisory Committee
BCAP in the News After School Academy 2022-2023 Last Class Video
BCAP in the News (2019): Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine An Answer from Abroad - Pittsburgh Quarterly
BCAP in the News: 2023 Righteous Among the Neighbors: Khara Timsina, BCAP Director | Community Profile | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
BCAP in the News: 2023 Bhutanese refugees bring a "Himalayan Highway" of unique food and culture to the Route 51 corridor | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
BCAP in the News: Humanity At It's Best
BCAP in the News: The Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine: Article writer Doug Heuck writes to me, quote: “the magazine's publisher said this profile was perhaps the best one of the 73 I've written over the past 18 years.” Kelleigh Bolland, quote: “I had the privilege of reading the article highlighting your story in the Pittsburgh Quarterly. While I have heard some of your story directly from you, the article shared more detail and I was happy to see you as a feature. I draw strength from your story and your philosophy of always looking ahead. Watching you lead BCAP continues to inspire me. Congrats on the recognition and I am so very pleased our paths crossed”
Rich Talarico, JRF Board President: Sent a congratulatory card via mail. New York Times: 2024
TribLive, January 19: On eve of Trump inauguration, some immigrants fearful, unsure what to expect over next 4 years | TribLIVE.com
