Nepal, Oct. 20 -- Growing up, Anupama Khunjeli wanted to become a sportsperson. She played squash, badminton and tennis while in school and college, competing alongside the boys and winning. But after studying accounting, Khunjeli would end up in banking, going on to become Nepal's first female CEO of a major commercial bank.

I wait for Khunjeli at The Old House in Durbar Marg. The place is generally quiet, has good food and is close to where Khunjeli works-at Kamaladi's Rising Mall, where Mega Bank has its headquarters. But this particular day, there is construction taking place outside so I opt for a seat inside the restaurant's colonial building.

Khunjeli arrives shortly and we sit down to lunch at a table in one corner of the room. ...