Humaira Islam, PhD

Founder & Executive Director

Humaira Islam, PhD oversees policy formulation, administration and fund management as Executive Director. Her career in microfinance spans over 25 years. She holds an MA in in Political Science, M. Phil Degree and PhD from Dhaka University. Her thesis was on women’s empowerment.

She founded Shakti Foundation as an institution for microfinance and gender issues, which provides services in financial empowerment and networking to the disadvantaged in partnership with financial institutions and banks, as well as leadership development, community development and enterprise development.

She is a Member of the Board of Trustees, Women’s World Banking (WWB), Executive Committee Member of INAFI, Asia Chapter, Member of the National Council of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Executive Committee member of "Utsho Bangladesh", Member of Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS), Member of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Member of National Caucus for Women’s Economic Empowerment Bangladesh, Founding Coordinator of Coalition of the Urban Poor (CUP).

Prior to founding Shakti Foundation, Dr. Humaira Islam worked in Manabik Sahajaya Sangstha (MSS) as Project Director; and at the Center for Integrated Rural Development Program for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) as a Research Associate. She began her career teaching English at Viqarunnisa Noon School and teaching English language and literature courses at Green Herald International School.

Dr. Humaira was an ASHOKA fellow and has received several awards including: Innovators for the Public 1994, Women’s World Banking ‘Excellence in Leadership’ Award, 2012 in Microcredit and Citi Micro entrepreneurship Award, 2011 by Citi Foundation.

Mahfuzur Rashid

Deputy Executive Director, Head of Finance Department

Mr. Mahfuzur Rashid is responsible for running the Finance Department. He also oversees the Health and Solar programs. He has 30 years of experience in Bangladesh Bank, 4 years in multi-aided donor project as credit expert, 8 years in teaching. Mr. Rashid also has publications on organization and functioning of central banks and monetary authorities of various countries and international organizations. Mr. Rashid has a Masters in Economics and specialized degrees in Microeconomics, International Banking and Finance from USA.

Imran Ahmed

Deputy Executive Director, Head of Programs

As Head of Programs, Imran Ahmed is responsible for managing Shakti’s Microfinance, and Agriculture programs as well as leading strategic initiatives to better serve Shakti’s clients.

He was previously a Vice President at comScore Inc., a premier data analytics company based out of Washington D.C. USA, where he led Client Services and Product Leadership business units. Prior to joining comScore, Imran worked at McKinsey & Company, where he focused on operations and strategy.

Imran earned his MA in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University, USA and his BA in Mathematics from Bard College, USA.

Asma Begum

Senior Director, Head of Human Resources Department

Ms. Asma Begum oversees the HR Function. She started her career with Shakti Foundation. She has done trainings in monitoring and evaluation, project development and management, administrative skills development, business planning and financial modeling. She has a Masters in Sociology.

Nazmul Ahsan

Senior Director, Head of Audit Department

Mr. Nazmul Ahsan oversees Audits. He formulates the internal control system within the organization, internal audits at the branches and head offices among other responsibilities. Mr. Ahsan started his career at Shakti Foundation in 1994. He has a Masters in Finance.

Shariful Islam

Senior Director, Head of Solar Program

Mr. Shariful Islam is responsible for the Solar Program. He is also in charge of the Union Development program under the supervision of PKSF. He started his career with Shakti Foundation in the Microcredit program. He has a Masters in Economics.

Sabya Sachi Roy

Senior Director, Head of ICT Department

Mr. Sabya Sachi Roy is responsible for the ICT department, which includes overseeing the hardware, software and network divisions, as well as policy-related changes in IT. He has been with Shakti Foundation for 20 years. He has a Masters in Commerce.

Mousumi Roy

Senior Director, Head of Women Empowerment

Ms. Mousumi Roy oversees the acquiring of goods, services and works from various sources. She has been with Shakti Foundation since its inception. Prior to that she worked as Area Manager for BRAC in rural areas.

Md. Emdadul Hoque

Senior Director, Head of Micro Credit

Md. Emdadul Hoque is responsible for overseeing the Microcredit portfolio. He has extensive experience in microfinance, financial management and accounts. Has worked with various organizations including BRAC and SAJIDA Foundation. He has an MBA with a finance major. An Income Tax Practitioner and possesses certifications in microfinance and financial management from Italy and UK.

Md. Sayedur Rahman

Director, Legal Department

Md. Sayedur Rahman, a lawyer by profession, has served as the District and Sessions Judge in various courts around Bangladesh, Metropolitan Sessions Judge in Khulna as well as an Advocate in Supreme Court of Bangladesh. He was also appointed as the District & Sessions Judge, Nari O Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal in Jessore for 2 years.

Shamsul A K Chowdhury

Director, Deputy Head of Human Resources Department

Mr. Shamsul Alam Chowdhury is responsible for overseeing the Human Resource Department as a deputy. He started his career with Grameen Bank, managing bank branches. He served as the COO, Grameen UK. He has a Masters in Economics.

ATM Anisur Rahman

Director, Head of Training Program

Mr. Anisur Rahman oversees the Training Program. He had worked as a General Manager for several years at Bangladesh Krishi Bank, a state owned bank specialized for agricultural lending and microcredit.

Zakir Hossain

Director, Head of Administration Department

Mr. Zakir Hossain runs the administration of the organization and works as the deputy to the Head of HR. He was previously a VP at Southeast Bank Limited. He has a Masters in Political Science.

Lipi Saha

Deputy Director, Head of Health Program

Ms. Lipi Saha is responsible for planning and development of the Health Program and is leading the implementation of Shakti’s Health program strategy. She started her career at Shakti Foundation in 2002. She has a Masters in Public Health.

Asaduzzaman

Director, Finance Department

Mr. Asaduzzaman is responsible for corporate accounts and works as a deputy to the Head of Finance. He has experience in Auditing in various industries including Financial, Corporation, Manufacturing as well as NGOs. He has a Masters in Accounting and has completed various courses in Chartered Accountancy.