Mandal is the seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in development and emergency programming. She has designed and led numerous projects focusing on poverty alleviation, rural development, good governance, child rights, civil society strengthening and rights of persons with disabilities.  She held leadership positions at international and local CSOs and UN, and provided technical expertise to ADB. Mandal holds a Bachelor degree in Public Health from the Moscow Medical Academy and Master of Science degree in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics.