our leadership

Humaira Islam, Ph.D. oversees policy formulation, administration, and fund management as Executive Director. Her career in microfinance spans over 25 years. She holds an MA in Political Science, M. Phil Degree, and Ph.D. 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 at 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 Microentrepreneurship Award, 2011 by Citi Foundation.

Imran Ahmed is the Deputy Executive Director of Shakti Foundation. He is responsible for managing all programs of the organization including Microfinance, SME, Health and Climate Change. He also oversees the Training Department and leads the New Initiatives Unit, which is focused on providing better services & digital inclusion to Shakti's clients. He was previously a Vice President at comScore Inc., a premier Data analytics company based out of Washington DC USA, where he led Client Services and Product Leadership business units. Prior to joining comScore, Mr. Ahmed worked at mcKinsey & Company, where he focused on operations and strategy. Mr Ahmed earned his M.A in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University, USA and his BA in Mathematics from Bard College, USA.

Asma Begum is the Head of Human Resource Department at Shakti Foundation. Ms. Begum started her career as a Credit Officer and reached her present position after serving in various capacities in different departments of Shakti since 1992. She has trained in multiple areas ranging from monitoring and evaluation, administrative skills development to project development and management. She has received training on Project Program Development and Management (PPDM) in Philippines (1996), and Business Planning and Financial Modelling in USA. Ms. Begum has an Honor’s and Master’s degree in Sociology from Dhaka University.

Md. Shariful Islam is the Head of Administration Department at Shakti Foundation. With a humble start as a Credit Officer, Md. Shariful Islam, now a Senior Director, has served Shakti Foundation in different capacities in departments like Microfinance, Human Resources, Solar and Enrich Program since 1992. He has been working successfully in Shakti for the last 30 years. Mr. Islam has a Master’s degree in Economics and a postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management. He has also received trainings on Project Program Development and Management (PPDM) in Philippines in 1996.

Nazmul Ahsan is the Head of Audit & Legal Department at Shakti Foundation. Mr. Ahsan started his career as an accountant in the organization in 1994. Currently Mr. Ahsan formulates the internal control system within the organization and internal audits at the
branches and head office. He received trainings on Project Program Development and Management (PPDM) in Philippines (1996), Accounting and Finance from different institutions, Microfinance in USA (1999), Operational Risk Management in India (2005) and MFI Management in a Changing Environment in Germany (2008). Mr. Ahsan has a Master’s degree in Finance (1991) From Dhaka University. He has completed ICMA (intermediate) and is also an Income Tax Practitioner.

Sabya Sachi Roy is the Head of Asset Development as well as Marketing & Communication Department at Shakti Foundation. He has been with the organization for 23 years. Mr. Roy has a Master’s degree in Commerce. He is a certified Administrator Professional for Oracle Database 11g and Lead Auditor on Information Security Management System ISO/IEC 27001:2005

Mr. Sayed Ahamed Khan joined Shakti Foundation as Senior Director and Head of Microfinance Program on 01 January, 2023. He has extensive experience and knowledge in the field of Microfinance Program Operation and Management. He completed his BSS (Honors) and MSS in Economics from Dhaka University and proceeded to gain his MBA in HRM from a reputed private university. Before joining Shakti Foundation, Mr. Sayed served more than 24 years in renowned Microfinance Institute BURO Bangladesh. Later on, he served as Head of MF Program for two more MFI/NGOs namely RDRS Bangladesh and Center for Development Innovation and practices (CDIP). He has expertise in Microenterprise and SME Program Development and Management, Default Loan Recovery, and Risk Management.

Mr. Abdul Halim joined Shakti Foundation on 16th May 2022 as a Senior Director and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Halim, in his career of over 26 years, served in different departments in BURO Bangladesh as Program, Internal Audit, and finally, Coordinator and Head of the Finance & Accounts Department. Mr. Abdul Halim has an Honors and Master’s degree in Accounting from Dhaka University (1992). He has received training in Management Information Systems for MFIs, Financial Analysis, Delinquency Management, Micro Finance Risk Management (Microsave, India) and Accounts Management (India).

Dr. Shamsher Ali Khan is the Senior Adviser of Health Program at Shakti Foundation. He has over 37 years of experience in the field of Public Health and Hospital Management around the globe. He has served and supervised 155 health centers including 11 upgraded health centers of BRAC with EOC facilities and other health programs in many countries of Asia and Europe. Dr. Khan has obtained his advanced Diploma in Reproductive Health from Uppsala University, Sweden after completing MBBS from Dhaka Medical College. He has made valuable contributions  in policy advocacy for chronic health issues like Malaria and Maternal & Neonatal Health Care in association with USAID, WHO and other international agencies.