Books, a PhD, and years of dedicated research can teach you many things. However, the authentic voice of a community member can offer a lesson so invaluable that it reshapes your career path and influences the very essence of your life’s work.

This was an unforgettable early life experience for Nishesh Chalise. He is the senior manager of the community development team at the St. Louis Fed, supporting research for the Institute for Economic Equity.

As a 20-year-old undergraduate student studying environmental science in Nepal, Nishesh thought “he had all the answers,” and he was eager to participate in a community meeting to discuss national forest conservation.

He came prepared to advocate for what he thought was the obvious, right approach—protecting the forest—when a man humbly posed a question Nishesh had never considered. The man asked: “how am I supposed to think about conservation on an empty stomach?” This question taught Nishesh that when communities depend on the forest for food and shelter, their immediate needs may understandably take precedence over advocating for conservation.

It was here where Nishesh learned that community issues can be more complex than they appear at first glance, and he was inspired to shift his studies to social work—embarking on a lifelong journey to deepen his understanding of the community perspective. “Out of all of my academic pursuits, that man’s question was the best education I ever received,” says Nishesh.

Finding inspiration and a path forward at the Fed 

“Growing up in Nepal I witnessed a lot of other societal issues, including civil war. Through those experiences, it became very clear to me that whatever work I was involved in would be in service of underserved communities. The people who face social, economic, or political disadvantages.”

Nishesh didn’t have to look farther than his own family of dedicated public servants to draw further career path inspiration. His father, grandfather, and uncles had public service careers. His mother was an educator, and Nishesh himself was a student in her kindergarten class. Social work and academia were a natural fit.

“Nothing else made sense for me in terms of a job and waking up in the morning,” he said. “But this path always made sense.”

Nishesh came to the US in 2008, where he continued his education and career in academia. He holds master’s and PhD degrees in social work from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to his work at the Fed, he held several instructor positions, including assistant professor at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He taught baccalaureate and graduate courses on research, program evaluation, and community development.

For example, Nishesh and the community development team often engage in roundtable events across the district to learn about the structural barriers people are facing in low-to-moderate-income (LMI) communities. By collaborating with the community, Nishesh and fellow researchers gain a deeper understanding of economic data and the ability to ask better questions. This enables meaningful conversations with community members and drives progress towards addressing community obstacles.

Strengths and solutions lie within communities

Nishesh joined the St. Louis Fed in the midst of the pandemic when the spread of COVID-19 impacted communities throughout the country. To continue responding to pandemic-related disruptions, information was needed about the scope and scale of the crisis.

Nishesh led the COVID-19 Community Impact survey report, which collected information about pandemic effects on LMI communities and the entities serving them. The survey, fielded by seven national partners and the Federal Reserve System’s community development function, seeks to promote economic resiliency and mobility among LMI and underserved households and communities across the US.

“In community development, we don’t do research for research’s sake. We attempt to ask the right questions, questions that are relevant to the communities. We ask, what is the problem communities are trying to solve and how can we be part of the solution?”

Nishesh emphasizes that as a researcher, “It’s important to not take the position that you have all of the answers to community issues. Instead, we must ask, how do we get the community the information, resources, and tools it needs to be empowered. Because it’s the community that holds the strengths and solutions.”

Patience isn’t only for gardening. When asked what advice he would give to someone pursuing a path as a community development researcher, Nishesh advises to “take the time to try to learn about institutions, communities, and people” and most importantly, to “be the catalyst for good, impactful work.”