General Body

Faruque Ahmed

Chairperson

Faruque Ahmed has long experience in the development field. He was the Executive Director of BRAC International before joining RDRS’ Board. Mr. Ahmed also served in the World Bank office in Dhaka. He was also a member of various professional groups for instance the World Bank Civil Society Consultative Group on Health, World Health Organization strategic and advisory group on Tuberculosis. He was on the board of GAVI Alliance, Geneva. Currently, he is a board member of Social Marketing Company Enterprise and working as one of the members of the Bangladesh Health Watch Working Group. Mr. Ahmed has publications on public health related issues in various journals and books. Faruque Ahmed has been associated with RDRS Trustee Board since 16 March 2020.

Mr. Ahmed has a Masters in Economics from Dhaka University. He has another Masters in Health Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, USA.

Dr. S. M. Akbar

Treasurer

Dr. S. M. Akbar has over 40 years of experience at various levels with different international banks and joint venture financial institutions in different countries of Asia and Europe. He attended international management training programme on different areas of Banking and Finance. He had demonstrated remarkable skills in turning around sick enterprises. He has also gained field level experience in managing operations of small and medium micro finance organisations of Bangladesh.

Dr. Akbar has been awarded by different organisations for his outstanding management contribution in banking, including Gold medal for outstanding contribution in investment banking. He was member of various chambers of commerce and trade bodies including Foreign Investors Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industries. He is also member of various social and voluntary organisations including Red Cross, Anjuman Mafidul Islam and Mother & Child Hospital.

Dr. Akbar achieved an MBA from UK and a PhD from USA.

Professor M. Moynul Haque PhD

Member

Prof. Dr. M. Moynul Haque has more than 39 years experiences in the field of education and research. Currently, he is serving in the Department of Agronomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur. He also served as Dean (Faculty of Agriculture), Registrar, Director (Planning and Development), Director (Outreach Program), Director (Transport), Additional Director (Institutional Quality Assurance Cell), Head of the Department and Syndicate Member of the university. Professor Haque was awarded certificate of scientific achievement by BARI-ACIAR in recognition of his outstanding contribution to research and development of pulses. He also developed 10 high yielding varieties of different crops popularly cultivated in the country. He supervised 45 MS and PhD students and published 145 research articles in different national and international journals. Professor Haque has been associated with RDRS Trustee Board since 16 April 2016.

Professor Haque has MS and PhD degree in Agronomy. He is also fellow of different international institutions including IRRI, Philippines; Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre, Taiwan; Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Danish Plant Directorate, Denmark; Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi and MTC Global, Bangalore, India.

Philip Biswas

Member

Philip Biswas has specialization in organization Development & Management, Microfinance Operation & Management, and Children Scholarship Program. He is Founder Executive Director of Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF). He has served as member of Board and Executive Committee of different national and international forums and organizations. Mr. Philip has joined in RDRS General Board on 23 December 2019.

Philip Biswas has Bachelor Degree in Arts from Notre Dame College, Dhaka. He has also a Diploma in Development Studies from Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier University, Canada.

Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury

Member

Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury is the Honorary Advisor of the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM). He has a long professional career in the field of Development. Mr Chowdhury has started his career with BRAC as a field worker in 1976 and became Director BRAC Microfinance Programme, Training Programme, and later BRAC International Programme. During his splendid professional career, he was a Consultant to the Family Bank (Bank Ul Ushra), Khartoum, Sudan to develop Microfinance program for the Bank, a consultant to UNICEF, East and South African Region to develop Strategic Plan document for the UNICEF funded organisations held in Mauritius, Africa and conducted many workshops, developed strategic plan document and training courses in microfinance, management, group dynamics, team building and many other subjects for National and International Organisations in Bangladesh and abroad. He was also a consultant to Shree Project of DFID to conduct a study on Saving systems of the extreme poor. Involved in developing BRAC Post-Graduate Diploma Curriculum in Leadership and Management jointly with School for International Training (SIT), USA, Organisation of Rural Association for Progress (ORAP), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Mr. Chowdhury has joined InM in 2013 as Director Education Programme. While in InM he developed and implemented a six-month Diploma in Microfinance Programme of twenty-one credits. Trained over 300 mid and senior-level microfinance staff of MFIs, Banks and Government officials.

Mr. Chowdhury was awarded Honorary Citizenship by the Municipality of General Trias, Cavite, Peoples Republic of Philippines. Professional member of the Microfinance Network (MFN), Mexico 2006-2009, General Body member of InM from 2019-2020, Lifelong member of Dhaka University Alumni Association, General Board Member of Association of Land Reform and Development (ALRD), Association for Realisation of Basic Needs-ARBAN and Uddipan.

Mr. Chowdhury has a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Dhaka and another M.A. in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, The Netherlands. He was awarded a certificate on Strategic Leadership for Microfinance from Harvard Business School, USA. Awarded certificate on Boulder Microfinance Training, Naropa University, USA organised by CGAP, World Bank. Awarded certificate on Micro Banking Internal Control Practices, in Jakarta, Indonesia organised by the Bank Rakyat Indonesia.

Anna Minj

Member

Anna Minj is a seasoned professional in the development sector with extensive ground-level experience in leading multi-sectoral program planning and management. She specializes in poverty reduction, integrated holistic development, women’s empowerment, livelihood security, ultra-poor graduation, gender equality mainstreaming, and Indigenous people’s rights. Anna has a proven track record in program development, policy and strategy formulation, and driving successful operationalization with measurable results and impactful changes. Her expertise in gender programming and mainstreaming is evident at both organizational and programmatic levels.

She has held senior positions at prestigious national and international organizations, including CARITAS, CARE Bangladesh, and BRAC, the world’s largest development organization. She excels in leading diverse teams and has actively participated in numerous national and international forums.

She is the Chairperson of the National Coalition of Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh, Vice-Chair of SIL International Bangladesh, and an executive board member of several development organizations. Her past roles include Chairperson of the Bangladesh Community Radio Association, executive board member of Stromme Foundation-Norway, convener for Girls NOT Brides Bangladesh Chapter, and the Engaging Men & Boys Alliance, Bangladesh.

Currently, she is the Director of Programmes at BRAC International, an organization operating in 14 countries across Asia and Africa. BRAC International implements a wide range of programmes focused on education, health, youth empowerment, ultra-poor graduation, early childhood development, agriculture food security, and climate change. She holds a postgraduate degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Manchester, UK, and an MSc in Zoology/Fisheries from Jagannath University, Bangladesh.

Dr. Yasmin Hemayet Ahmed

Member

Dr. Yasmin Hemayet Ahmed is an accomplished public health and organizational development expert with nearly 40 years of experience in research, program development, management, and consulting. She is the former Managing Director of Marie Stopes Bangladesh, where her leadership transformed the organization from a modest team of 50 to a national entity of over 2,000 employees, serving more than one million clients annually.

Dr. Ahmed’s tenure at Marie Stopes International as Vice President and Senior Regional Director for Asia and Asia-Pacific allowed her to guide 16 country programs, fostering innovation, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration. Her expertise spans strategic planning, program evaluation, facilitation, and policy dialogue. Since 2012, she has worked as a freelance consultant, contributing to national and international projects with organizations like USAID, UNFPA, BRAC, and DFID.

Her significant projects include developing long-term strategic plans for Marie Stopes Bangladesh and BRAC’s Health, Nutrition, and Population Program, leading evaluations of midwifery and maternal health initiatives, and designing responses to humanitarian crises, such as the Rohingya influx in Bangladesh.

Dr. Ahmed serves on the boards of esteemed organizations like Social Marketing Company and Bangladesh Health Watch, where she drives advocacy, organizational development, and policy reforms.

A medical doctor by training (MBBS, Dhaka Medical College), Dr. Ahmed has consistently championed innovative and sustainable solutions in public health and organizational management. Her legacy of leadership and impactful work continues to inspire and shape the global health landscape.

Ferhana Ferdous

Member

Ferhana Ferdous has been working in the development sector for over 24 years. She is currently the Director at Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). At TIB, she leads anti-corruption social movement at 45 locations in Bangladesh and supports a network of over 10,000 volunteers.

Before joining TIB, she served in leadership roles at well-known organizations like Save the Children, WaterAid Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation, ActionAid Bangladesh and PROSHIKA. She played an active role largely in policy advocacy, campaign and capacity-building. She also authored handbooks on the Right to Information Act and contributed to international climate change research.

Ms. Ferhana holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Chittagong. She has also received advanced training in advocacy, media communication, and data quality assessment from institutions based in the UK and Netherlands. She is well-versed in planning, budgeting, and building partnerships across sectors.

Shib Narayan Kairy

Member

Parveen Mahmud FCA

Member

Ms Parveen Mahmud is the Chairperson of RDRS Bangladesh and has been associated with RDRS Trustee Board since 26 April 2014. She is the First among many Firsts. She is the first woman President and 39th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) in 2011. She was the first female board member and the first female President among professional bodies of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) till now. She was the Founding Chairperson of CA Female Forum- Women in Leadership Committee, ICAB in 2017 and was the founding Vice Chairperson of the Women in Leadership Committee of SAFA till 2019. Ms. Mahmud started her career with BRAC and later served BRAC International Board and Chaired Audit and Risk Committee since 2011- 2022. She was Partner, ACNABIN & Co., Chartered Accountants, and was the Founding Managing Director of the Grameen Telecom Trust. She sits in numerous Boards including Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bishsho Shahitto Kendro (BSK), Manusher Jonnyo Foundation (MJF), PKSF, Ghashful, Friendship, HerStory Foundation, CholPori, Moner Bondhu, Heroes for All, Cider International School, Chittagong. She is the Independent Director of Marico Bangladesh, Apex Footwear Ltd. and Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd… She was the Chairperson, Shasha Denims Ltd., UCEP – Bangladesh, MIDAS, Acid Survivor’s Foundation. Ms Mahmud served as a member of the National Advisory Panel for SME Development of Bangladesh, and was a Founding Board Member of SME Foundation and founding Convener, SME Women’s Forum. Ms. Mahmud was a Working Group Member of the Consultative Group on Social Indicators of UNCTAD/ISAR. She is a Melvin Jones Fellow. She was the President, Lions Club of Chittagong Parijat Elite, Lions Clubs International, District 315- B4, Bangladesh and now serving as District Cabinet Treasurer 2022-2023. She has received few accolades for her services and contribution to the society.

Rasheda K. Choudhury

Member

Rasheda K. Choudhury is the Executive Director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), the national coalition of more than a thousand NGOs and educator groups working for promoting quality education for all. She is the Member Secretary of Education Watch and the Co-Founder of the Global Campaign for Education (GCE), a civil society movement working to help governments and other stakeholders to end the global education crisis, operating in more than 100 countries. Ms. Choudhury is currently a member of the Consultative/Expert Group of the External Resources Division (ERD) of the Government of Bangladesh which has been working on integrating population and development issues into plans and policies. Ms Choudhury has been associated with RDRS Trustee Board since 16 June 1997.

Rasheda K. Choudhury was Adviser (De-facto Cabinet Minister) to the Interim Non-party Caretaker Government of Bangladesh in 2008 which conducted the Parliamentary Election and handed over power to the elected government in January 2009. As the Adviser she served in three ministries that include Ministry of Primary and Mass Education; Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; and Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

She regularly writes in national newspapers on development issues particularly on the right to education, gender justice and inclusive development.

Rasheda K. Choudhury has a Master’s in English from Dhaka University.

Prof. Md. Nazmul Islam

Member

Prof. Md. Nazmul Islam started his career in the government service as a physician and became a professor in 1994. He retired in 2007 as a Professor of Medical College after 27 years of his service with the government. As a teacher, he has been trained in Medical education both within and outside the country including UK and has to his credit in piloting the existing undergraduate Medical Curriculum in different Medical Colleges since 1998 funded by DFID and British Council. He is an executive member of Bangladesh Ophthalmological Society, Bangladesh Uvea Society, Bangladesh Community Ophthalmology Society, Bangladesh Cataract and Refractive Society, and National Council for Prevention of Blindness in Bangladesh. He attended almost all the Ophthalmic Conferences in the country and many regional and International conferences and regularly participating in APAO conferences. Prof. Islam has been associated with RDRS Trustee Board since 26 November 2011.

During this long period of service he had several publications and has contributed in developing treatment protocols for General and Ophthalmic practitioners. He is the recipient of Life time achievement award from Ophthalmological Society and Distinguished Service award from Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.

Mr. Islam completed his graduation (MBBS) from Rajshahi Medical College in 1973. He did his post graduation in Ophthalmology from the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research, Dhaka in 1980.

Sumaiya Khair PhD

Member

Sumaiya Khair is a Professor of Law Department, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She served as the Deputy Executive Director at Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). Currently, in addition to her academic responsibilities at the University, she is serving TIB as Adviser, Executive Management where she provides strategic guidance in the overall management and implementation of TIB’s activities. Professor Khair is on the Editorial Board of the Asian Yearbook of International Law of the Foundation for the Development of International Law in Asia (DILA). She was Head of Research and Policy Influence from 2012 to 2013 in a DFID-funded program on Community Legal Services implemented by Maxwell Stamp PLC. She sits on governing boards of a number of research and development organizations. Prof. Khair has been associated with RDRS Trustee Board since 18 October 2008.

Professor Khair writes on law, justice, human rights and governance and has to her credit a number of articles and publications in both national and international journals and books. She has consulted for UN agencies, ILO and international development partners in the areas of her expertise.

Professor Khair has a PhD from UK where she also studied as a Commonwealth Post-Doctoral Academic Fellow.

Ahmed Ataul Hakeem FCMA

Member

Ahmed Ataul Hakeem started his career as a part-time lecturer in ICMAB, of which he is a fellow. Later on, Mr Hakeem continued his career in various significant positions in different department such as Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, Controller General Defence Finance (Grade-1), Director General of Civil Audit Directorate, Director General of Financial Management Academy, Director General of Mission Audit Directorate, Deputy Secretary/Director of Finance Division in Ministry of Finance. He has also been part of international audit team. Mr Hakeem joined in RDRS General Board on 23 December 2019.

Ahmed Ataul Hakeem has Master in Social Science Degree in Development Finance from University of Birmingham, England. He has also a Master Degree in Economics from University of Dhaka, and Associate Cost and Management Accountant from ICMAB.

Md. Abdus Sattar Sarker FCA, FCMA

Member

Md. Abdus Sattar Sarker is Principal & CEO of A.S. Sarker & Co., Cost and Management Accountants. He is also Partner of Mahfel & Co., Chartered Accountants, an independent member firm of AGN International. He has served in BRAC as the Head of Finance. He has also been engaged in different committees and boards as a valuable member. Mr Sarker joined in RDRS General Board on 23 December 2019.

Md. Abdus Sattar Sarker has Master Degree in Commerce (Accounting) from University of Dhaka. He is a fellow member of ICMAB (Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh); and ICAB (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh).

Prof. Dr. Mojib Uddin Ahmed

Member

Dr. Mojib Uddin Ahmed is Professor of Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Dhaka. He is also serving as an Adjunct Professor in Department of Business Administration, Daffodil University.

Dr. Ahmed has Master Degree in Commerce from University of Dhaka. He also has Master in Accounting from University of Glasgow, UK; and Master in Accounting Science from University of Illinois, USA. He has Ph.D from Old Dominion, Verginia, USA.

Professor Dr. Mojib Uddin Ahmed has joined in RDRS General Board on 23 December 2019.

Samia Huq, PhD

Member

Samia Huq is currently serving as Dean of General Education and Professor of Anthropology in BRAC University. She has long experience in making experimental learning and civic engagement as integral part of general education. She has also research interest in religious education, gender development and minority rights. She has joined in RDRS General Board on 6 February 2022.

Samia Huq has a Master Degree and Ph.d in Anthropology from Brandeis University, Waltham