Profile Summary
Interdisciplinary social scientist, development professional, Innovator, ethnographer, activist and storyteller with 17+ years of diverse experience bridging knowledge, and bringing systemic solutions in sustainable governance, social justice, and knowledge sovereignty. Proven track record delivering multi-faceted projects across geography, having led organisations in both executive and advisory capacities. Deep community-rooted field experience across Asia, Africa and Europe working with Indigenous, displaced, and marginalised communities.
An avid backpacker with little footprints, and has an immense love for the mountains and forgotten cultures. Currently on academic sabbatical, pursuing a PhD at the University of Heidelberg. Has postgraduate training in ethnography and policy advocacy from Cambridge, Freiburg, and Cape Town.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy. Heidelberg University (2025–2028)
Focus: Indigenous Knowledge, biodiversity conservation, governance, public policy, sustainability, cultural heritage, knowledge sovereignty
MA in Social Sciences (Global Studies. University of Freiburg & University of Cape Town (2022–2024)
Focus: Indigenous knowledge systems, ethnography, postcolonial studies
Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability, University of Cambridge (2021-2023)
Focus: Financial inclusion in traditional minority communities, sustainability, ESG, governance, public policy
Bachelor of Business in Human Resources Consulting (2004-2008)
Languages English (Fluent), Bengali (Fluent), Hindi (Conversational), German (Basic)
Voluntary & Activism
Cofounder, Sporshok (2015-2022). Launched a youth volunteer platform to address violence and oppression against women and children; Developed an extra-curricular school programme for storytelling and learning; Featured on CNN Freedom project
Cofounder, Accelerating Innovation for Resilience Network (2023). Launched a network of experts and stakeholders addressing migration and displacements in Bangladesh
Experience
Strategic Advisor (Part-time), Impulse NGO Network (2024-Current). Develop organisation's Theory of Change; Advise the Chairperson on strategies related to programme development, partnerships, and stakeholder engagements; Provide guidance and support to executive members on content production.
Strategic Engagement Advisor, USAID / Global Knowledge Initiative (AI4R, 2022–2023). Designed climate resilience frameworks; developed innovation fund framework; launched innovation storytelling platform; knowledge & research-to-policy bridging
University Proctor & Director, BRAC University / Centre for Emotional Intelligence & Innovation (2019–2022). Founded National Empathy Lab (reached 100,000 students); advanced storytelling-based sustainability education; led BRAC’s SDG Top 50 global ranking; Founded Centre for Emotional Intelligence & Innovation; Launched “Mind The Gap” - a platform for dialogues between youth, parents and community members; Developed curriculum and conducted course on Ethics and Empathy
Country Director (Bangladesh), Ashoka Innovators for the Public (2013–2017). Launched Transforming Childhood & Youth Years, Youth Venture Bangladesh: Changemaking & Storytelling platform for youth, South Asia Commons: Innovation Platform for Higher Ed Professionals; Co-founded Wellbeing Capital in partnership with Levi Strauss Foundation; Engaged and elected Ashoka fellows working in the frontline of migration. displacement, biodiversity, education and inclusion across South Asia; Overall leadership of the country office with an annual budget of $1 million.
Economic Advisor (Consultant) to the Bangladesh High Commissioner to East Africa, UN-Habitat and UNEP (2012-2014). Contribute to drafting of bilateral and multilateral agreements, policy briefs and negotiations
Research Staff & Strategy Consultant (Part-time), BRAC Institute of Education Development (2013). Worked with the curriculum team to design an inclusive model aligned with sustainable leadership for primary and secondary students.
● Khasi communities: ILK & Biodiversity Governance (Meghalaya, India, 2024)
● Garo communities: ILK & Mobile Technologies (Sylhet, Bangladesh, 2021)
● Traditional Rai Dancers: integration to modern economy and transformations (Madhya Pradesh, India, 2023)
● Ukrainian refugee: gender challenges during migration (Freiburg, Germany, 2022) -
● Adolescent rights & SRHR (Cape Town, South Africa, 2022)
● Rohingya refugees-host mapping and collaboration (Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, 2017)