Utsho Bangladesh dreams of a society where all children have the equal right to grow up in a safe, secured, happy and healthy environment. Children will have the opportunity to realize their true potential based on their talent, regardless of social class, gender or religion.
Utsho works closely with the communities in which it operates to foster empathy for underprivileged children. We firmly believe that if every capable family takes care of an underprivileged child, no child will be left to grow up on the streets.
Ensure every child's right to a safe, secure, happy, and healthy upbringing.
Nurture environments that empower children to dream and strive for a better future.
Foster a society where every child receives the support needed to reach their full potential
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 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hasna Hena was working in the World Food Program (WFP) when she became a part of Utsho as it’s Founder member.
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.
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.
A Founder Member of Utsho, Moushumi Roy was a Development Worker working with Shakti Foundation particularly focused on slum development.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shorof Uddin Ahmed was a Professor of Bangla Language and Literature in Ananodo Mohan Government College. He joined Utsho as a Member in 1996.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kamal Waris is a member of Utsho Bangladesh.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shahida Alam has been a Teacher by profession. She is now actively engaged in Social Work through Utsho Bangladesh and other similar organizations.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Musfiq Ara Hossain is a member of Utsho Bangladesh.