How Utsho Started

How Utsho Started

The story of Utsho started thirty years ago with its Founder Mahbooba Akhter Mahmood Leena, or popularly known as Leena Apa (Apa meaning elder sister) within the Utsho Family. She shares her story in her own words:

Starting my career in Readymade Garments industry in 1984 while I was working for Naripokkho dreaming of building a supportive society for women, I felt the need of helping working women to take care of their children.

I once saw a mother in a slum tying up her child around the waist at home before going to work, which really shook me to the core. I felt that while we spend thousands of Taka on toys for our children, a much smaller amount can provide food and shelter for the less fortunate kids.

During one of my visits to a Brothel on behalf of Naripokkho for a study on Sex-Workers in 1990, I saw a beautiful 2-year old girl who smiled at me. When I picked her up in my arms and told her ”You have a lovely smile!”, one of the Sex workers made a very obscene comment. I asked her why she would say such a thing about their own children! She said, “Apa, you would all leave after your work is done. This girl was born here, just like her mother was born to this child’s grandmother who was sold to this brothel. So this girl will also eventually become a Sex worker, such is the fate of all our children!”

I shared my experience with my husband and told him how low it made me feel. He proposed “Why don’t you bring a few of these children home? We will raise them along with our two kids.” I was taken aback, and I asked him, “Are you serious?” My husband said, “Our parents raised eight children with an income much less than ours, while we have only two kids. Why can’t we take care of a few more?”

This is when I discussed the idea with a few like-minded friends asking them about their thoughts on setting up a home for underprivileged children. They all committed their support.

And that’s how Utsho started its journey in July 1993 with three children along with three high and low benches in a small rented house at Jikatola, Dhaka. We have come a long way in the last thirty years, and we have bigger hopes about the next thirty!

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Utsho Bangladesh Central Office

169/2/A, Shanti Niketan,
Tejgaon Industrial Area,
Dhaka 1208

+88 02 2222 80708

+88 01711 622378

+88 01711 622379

utshobd@gmail.com

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Suraiya Tazin Mohua

Member

Suraiya Tazin Mohua is a Professional working in the Pharmaceutical industry for many years. She was the Brand Manager in Sanofi Aventis, and is currently working at Shambhob Health Ltd. as a Consultant and Senior Pharmacist. Been involved with Utsho since 2008 as a Volunteer, she is currently serving her second term as a Member of the Executive Committee.

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Shermeen Mosadeq

Member

Shermeen Mosadeq is a teacher by profession, last working with Sunbeams School. Active with Utsho since 2016, she is involved in social work with many other organizations.

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Srabanti Datta

Member Secretary

Srabanti Datta is a Businesswoman, with over two decades of experience in the Real Estate Industry. She is a Director of ABC Real Estates and ABC Building Products. An active Member of Utsho for 16+ years, she is currently the Member Secretary of the Utsho Executive Committee. She is also a Member and Cultural Convenor of the Gulshan Society Executive Committee and working with many Business, Cultural and Social forums.

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Dr. Perween Hasan

Vice President

Perween Hasan is a renowned Bangladesh academic and rights activist, and also the Vice President of the current Executive Committee of Utsho. After finishing her PhD in Islamic Architecture from Harvard, she joined the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Dhaka University. Dr. Hasan is now the Vice-Chancellor of the Central Women's University and the chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

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Maheen Sultan

President

Maheen Sultan is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the President of the current Executive Committee. She is Senior Fellow of Practice and Head of the Gender and Social Transformation Cluster at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development at BRAC University. Maheen is also a member of Naripokkho, a Rights Based women's organisation.

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Mahbooba Akhter Mahmood Leena

Mahbooba Akhter Mahmood Leena is the Founder of Utsho Bangladesh. While working for the development of Slum dwellers as a young Social Worker, she observed that mothers had to work leaving their children unattended, posing a serious threat to their upbringing. This made her think about ways to improve the quality of life for these underprivileged children. And finally with the support of her family and likeminded friends, Leena started Utsho Bangladesh on 25th July 1993 with only three children in a small rented house at Jikatola, Dhaka. In June 2023, Utsho has completed thirty years under Leena’s leadership as the Executive Director. Leena is also the Founder Member of Nari Pokkho and Shakti Foundation, two leading institutions working for Women’s Rights.

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Tahrunessa Ahmed Abdullah

Tahrunessa Ahmed Abdullah a famous Bangladeshi writer and activist, and also a Founder Member of Utsho. She is notable for her contribution in uplifting the lives of women in rural Bangladesh through her research and involvement with Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development. In 1978, she became the first Bangladeshi to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award in the community leadership category.

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Dr. Mahmuda Islam, PhD

Dr. Mahmuda Islam was a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University and a Founder member of Utsho. After learning about the organization’s goals, she came onboard as the first President of Utsho Executive Committee knowing the challenges that lied ahead in mobilizing local resources. Mahmuda is currently living in USA.

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Dr. Fazila Banu Lily, PhD

A Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, Fazila Banu Lily is the Chairperson at the Department of Sociology and Gender Studies in Central Women’s University. She is also an active Member of Nari Pokkho – an organization working for Women’s Rights.

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Maheen Sultan

Maheen Sultan is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the President of the current Executive Committee. She is Senior Fellow of Practice and Head of the Gender and Social Transformation Cluster at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development at BRAC University. Maheen is also a member of Naripokkho, a Rights Based women's organisation.

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Dr. Humaira Islam, PhD

Dr. Humaira Islam is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the Treasurer of the current Executive Committee. A Development Specialist of high repute, she is the Executive Director and founder of Shakti Foundation.

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Taheerah Haq

Taheerah Haq is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh. After working as the former Country Director of Ashoka Bangladesh, she now sits on the Board of Trustees of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and is also the CEO of Publik House.

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Safia Azim

Safia Azim taught Clinical Psychology at Dhaka University. As a Founder member of Utsho Bangladesh, she contributed significantly to the children's mental development. Safia used to read story books to Utsho’s children on a regular basis. She was instrumental in starting the Fundraising events for Utsho.

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Hasna Hena

Hasna Hena was working in the World Food Program (WFP) when she became a part of Utsho as it’s Founder member.

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Mohammad Anamul Haque

Mohammad Anamul Haque was working with OXFAM Bangladesh when he joined Utsho as a Founder Member. He played a key role in setting up the Financial Management structure of Utsho as the Treasurer of the Executing Committee in the first two terms. Anamul now works in Islamic Development Bank (IDB) as a Senior Knowledge Change Management Specialist, stationed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, PhD

A Founder member of Utsho Bangladesh, Dr. Nazmul Hasan Kalimullah was a Professor of Public Administration at Dhaka University and the former Vice Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University. He provided valuable guidance during the organization’s formative years.

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Moushumi Roy

A Founder Member of Utsho, Moushumi Roy was a Development Worker working with Shakti Foundation particularly focused on slum development.

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Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, PhD

A Founder Member of Utsho, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim is a famous academic and a former Professor of Physics at University of Dhaka. He is the editor of Bigyan Shamoiki, the first monthly science magazine of Bangladesh. Since January 2015, he has been serving as a Professor of General Education at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).

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Dr. Humaira Islam, PhD

Treasurer

Humaira Islam is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the Treasurer of the current Executive Committee. A Development Specialist of nationwide repute, she is the Executive Director and founder of Shakti Foundation.

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Mahbooba Akhter Mahmood Leena

Executive Director

Mahbooba Akhter Mahmood Leena is the Founder of Utsho Bangladesh. While working for the development of Slum dwellers as a young Social Worker, she observed that mothers had to work leaving their children unattended, posing a serious threat to their upbringing. This made her think about ways to improve the quality of life for these underprivileged children. And finally with the support of her family and likeminded friends, Leena started Utsho Bangladesh on 25th July 1993 with only three children in a small rented house at Jikatola, Dhaka. In June 2023, Utsho has completed thirty years under Leena’s leadership as the Executive Director. Leena is also the Founder Member of Nari Pokkho and Shakti Foundation, two leading institutions working for Women’s Rights.

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Gulam Mustafa

Gulam Mustafa was a renowned Bangladeshi photographer who was awarded Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and Ekushey Padak in 2018. He was an active Member of Utsho since 2013 and was instrumental in designing the Photography Curriculum for the children of Utsho with his “Postcards from the Future” Project in 2014. He passed away on July 9, 2021.

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Momotaj Shahid

Momotaj Shahid became a Member of Utsho in 2013 after volunteering as an Instructor for many years to the Utsho children for creating Handicrafts. She was also instrumental in setting up Utsho Boutique as a social Business initiative of Utsho Bangladesh.

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Nina Nawaj

Nina Nawaj was a highly dedicated Member of Utsho who played a key role in setting up Utsho Kitchen as the primary social business initiative for generating funds. She was always highly involved in the Local Resource Mobilization (LRM) activities including Student Sponsorships and Fundraising initiatives. She passed away on June 12, 2017.

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Saifuddawla

Saifuddawla was a Banker by profession, and also a Founder Member of the country’s leading cultural platform – Chhayanaut. After serving as a Volunteer for a year, he joined Utsho as a Member during it’s early days in 1996. Saifuddawla advised Utsho in terms of how to structure itself as an organization and overcome various challenges. He passed away on July 5, 2022.

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Shahana Khan

Shahana Khan was an Architect by profession and also an avid Social Worker. A Member of Utsho since 2001, she took active interest in all aspects of the organization while focusing on the Catering Business. She played a key role in involving people from different works of life as Volunteers of Utsho in 2008 through the ‘Prottyasha Shechhashebok” Program. She was also instrumental in setting up the Utsho Village in Sreepur. Shahana passed away on November 12, 2021.

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Shamsun Nessa

Shamsun Nessa was a social worker who joined Utsho at a very early stage back in 1995. She was particularly involved about Utsho Kitchen and also shared her advise on ‘Foster Parenting’. Shamsun was an active Member of Nari Pokkho – an organization working for Women’s Rights. She passed away on May 14, 2022.

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Shorof Uddin Ahmed

Shorof Uddin Ahmed was a Professor of Bangla Language and Literature in Ananodo Mohan Government College. He joined Utsho as a Member in 1996.

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Dr. A.K. Enamul Hoque, PhD

Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque is a Professor of Economics and Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at East West University. A Founder member of Utsho Bangladesh, he has worked with various international organizations, including the World Bank, IUCN, Save the Children, IFC, SANDEE, SANEI, UNDP and GIZ.

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Amita Dey

Amita Dey is a seasoned development practitioner with 30+ years’ experience, and also an active Member of Nari Pokkho – an organization working for Women’s Rights.

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Fahmida Chowdhury

Fahmida Chowdhury has been in the education industry for many years. Working with Hurdco International School, she is now the Vice Principal of Aga Khan Academy. She has been actively involved with Utsho since 2009.

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Farida Rita Ahmed

Farida Rita Ahmed recently retired as the Joint Registrar of the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT). She has always been an active member of Utsho’s Local Resource Mobilization (LRM) Committee, and is involved in social welfare endeavors through various organizations.

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Farzana Rahman Padma

Farzana Rahman Padma is a well-known Businesswoman, working as the Vice Chairman of Highspeed Group of Companies - a pioneer in the water-transport sector. An active Member of Utsho since 1996, Padma has served as President of the Executive Committee for two consecutive terms. She is also a member of FBCCI, Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Launch Owners’ Association and Bangladesh Shipbuilder’s Association, and a Life member of Gulshan Society.

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Dr. Fazila Banu Lily, PhD

A Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, Fazila Banu Lily is the Chairperson at the Department of Sociology and Gender Studies in Central Women’s University. She is also an active Member of Nari Pokkho – an organization working for Women’s Rights.

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Ferdousi Haque Reba

Ferdousi Haque Reba is one of the coordinators for Children’s Mental Development at Utsho, and also a Member of the Utsho BD Trustee Board. She is the founder of Onneshon Gonopathagar and Social Development Centre established in Nazirpur, Barisal that organizes Book reading programs and various social works in rural areas. Reba is also a Governing Body Member of Nazirpur United College in Muladi, Barisal.

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Firdous Ali

Firdaus Ali has been an educationalist par excellence over her long career with multiple reputed institutions, where she has worked as the Registrar in both East West University and Central Women’s University. She has been instrumental in sourcing the Sponsors to set-up Utsho Bidyanikaton’s own campus in Sreepur.

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Gitanka Debdip Datta

Gitanka D. Datta is a Banking Professional with nearly thirty years of experience in home and abroad. He has worked with ANZ Grindlays, Standard Chartered, Mastercard, Maldives Islamic Bank, HSBC and most recently IFIC Bank where he was the Deputy Managing Director and CBO. Gitanka has served as a Member in the Executive Committee for two consecutive terms, and he is also an Associate Trustee of Liberation War Museum.

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Dr. Humaira Islam, PhD

Humaira Islam is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the Treasurer of the current Executive Committee. A Development Specialist of nationwide repute, she is the Executive Director and founder of Shakti Foundation.

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Jahan Afroj Mahmood

Jahan Afroz Mahmood was actively involved in Rural Development before moving abroad, where she worked as an Account Manager for Woolworths. After returning to Bangladesh, she is actively involved with Utsho while focusing on its social business initiatives.

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Kamal Waris

Kamal Waris is a member of Utsho Bangladesh.

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Kazi Zahedul Hassan

Kazi Zahedul Hasan earned his M.Arch. degree from Harvard, and he worked as a Professor of the Architecture Department of BUET and in the School of Environmental Design in King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is the founder and Managing Director of Kazi Farms, a trailblazer in our Poultry Industry, and a longstanding Patron of Utsho.

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Khairun Nahar

Khairun Nahar has been a professional in the pharmaceutical industry working in organizations like Sanofi Aventis and Pharmatrade. She is now a Senior Consultant with iota Consulting BD. Khairun is an active member of the LRM Team in Utsho.

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Maheen Sultan

Maheen Sultan is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh, and also the President of the current Executive Committee. She is Senior Fellow of Practice and Head of the Gender and Social Transformation Cluster at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development at BRAC University. Maheen is also a member of Naripokkho, a Rights Based women's organisation.

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Md. Emdadul Hoque

Md. Emdadul Hoque is a member of Bangladesh Civil Service (Admin. Cadre, ’82 Batch). He retired from the Ministry of Finance in 2014 as an Additional Secretary, and currently is a Director on the Board of SBAC Bank. He is a Life Member of Dhaka University Alumni Association, Bangladesh Economic Association, Officer's Club, and many other social and cultural Forums. He is also the Governing Body Chairman of Nazirpur United College, and founder of 'Onneshon Gonopathagar’ and ‘Somaj Unnayan Kendro' in Muladi, Barishal.

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Mohammad Aziz Ullah

Mohammad Aziz Ullah is a Professional working in the Pharmaceutical industry for 20+ years in organizations like Sanofi Aventis and NIPRO JMI Pharma, and is currently working at ACI Pharma as a Deputy General Manager. He is working as an Adviser for Utsho Support Unit.

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 Dr. Perween Hasan, PhD

Perween Hasan is a renowned Bangladesh academic and rights activist, and also the Vice President of the current Executive Committee of Utsho. After finishing her PhD in Islamic Architecture from Harvard, she joined the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Dhaka University. Dr. Hasan is now the Vice-Chancellor of the Central Women's University and the chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

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Rina Roy

Rina Roy is a highly experienced resource in the Development sector who recently retired as a Senior Advisor of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). She is also an active Member of Nari Pokkho – an organization working for Women’s Rights.

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Saiful Islam Chowdhury

Saiful I Choudhury joined Duncan Brothers (a British Tea Company) as a tea planter in 1981, and then became a Banking Professional working with organizations such as Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), Eastern Bank and BRAC Bank. He is now retired and living in both USA and Bangladesh.

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Saima Rupa

Saima Rupa has worked in 20+ years in the Immigration Departments of various Foreign Missions in Bangladesh, and later worked as an HR Consultant. She has been actively involved with Utsho’s LRM Team as a Volunteer since 2018 and as a Member since 2023.

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Sanchay Basak

Sanchay Basak is working as the Assistant General Manager for Supply Chain in Synovia Pharma. He has been an active Volunteer with Utsho LRM team before joining as a Member.

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Sania Mahmood

Sania Mahmood is a Marketing Professional who has worked in various reputed organizations including Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser, Robi, Citycell, Square Toiletries, bKash and Perfetti Van Melle. She is now working as a Consultant while being an Adjunct Faculty at IBA, University of Dhaka and Brac University.

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Shahida Alam

Shahida Alam has been a Teacher by profession. She is now actively engaged in Social Work through Utsho Bangladesh and other similar organizations.

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Sheepa Hafiza

Sheepa Hafiza is a proven equality and rights advocate with 30+ years of experience as a development management practitioner and social analyst. She has served as the former Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra and also held senior positions in BRAC and CARE Bangladesh.

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Shermeen Mosadeq

Shermeen Mosadeq is a teacher by profession, last working with Sunbeams School. Active with Utsho since 2016, she is involved in social work with many other organizations.

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Shwapna Bhowmick

Shwapna Bhowmick is a leading name in our Apparels Industry as she is the Head of Region for Marks & Spencer (M&S) responsible for India and Bangladesh markets. She has been working closely with Utsho LRM for many years for fundraising, before joining as a Member.

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Srabanti Datta

Srabanti Datta is a Businesswoman, with over two decades of experience in the Real Estate Industry. She is a Director of ABC Real Estates and ABC Building Products. An active Member of Utsho for 16+ years, she is currently the Member Secretary of the Utsho Executive Committee. She is also a Member and Cultural Convenor of the Gulshan Society Executive Committee and working with many Business, Cultural and Social forums.

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Suraiya Tazin Mohua

Suraiya Tazin Mohua is a Professional working in the Pharmaceutical industry for many years. She was the Brand Manager in Sanofi Aventis, and is currently working at Shambhob Health Ltd. as a Consultant and Senior Pharmacist. Been involved with Utsho since 2008 as a Volunteer, she is currently serving her second term as a Member of the Executive Committee.

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Taheerah Haq

Taheerah Haq is a Founder Member of Utsho Bangladesh. After working as the former Country Director of Ashoka Bangladesh, she now sits on the Board of Trustees of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and is also the CEO of Publik House.

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Umme Hani Chowdhury

Umme Hani Chowdhury is a Businesswoman and Sponsor Director of Deep Sea Fishers Ltd. She is an active Member of Utsho focusing on the Local Resource Mobilization (LRM).

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Nurul Alam

Nurul Alam became a Member of Utsho in 2011 and served as the Treasurer in the Executive Committee while playing a key role in streamlining the organization’s Accounts Department and Budgeting process. He passed away on January 14, 2014.

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Dr. Molla Azfarul Haque, PhD

Mollah Azfarul Haque is a highly experienced Agricultural specialist, who retired as the former Chief Planner of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). Dr. Haque has served as the Member Secretary in Utsho Executive Committee for two consecutive terms, and he is also actively involved in social work with many organizations.

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Musfiq Ara Hossain

Musfiq Ara Hossain is a member of Utsho Bangladesh.

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Sheepa Hafiza

Member

Sheepa Hafiza is a proven equality and rights advocate with 30+ years of experience as a development management practitioner and social analyst. She has served as the former Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra and also held senior positions in BRAC and CARE Bangladesh.

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