Mr. A.B.M. Siddique is the Founder President of Padakhep Manabik Unnayan Kendra, a distinguished freedom fighter and a visionary economist. Born in the village of Goila, Barisal and raised in the port city of Chattogram, he responded to the call of the motherland in his youth by joining the Liberation War. Academically, he holds an M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, a foundation that fueled his lifelong commitment to rural prosperity.

His professional journey began as an economist at the World Bank and included a formative period at James Finlay, where he balanced rigorous research with a vision to transform the lives of tea garden farmers. Following a successful career in government service, he chose to transcend personal success to build a more equitable society. In 1986, he founded Padakhep Manabik Unnayan Kendra as a grassroots movement to combat poverty.

Over the last 38 years, he has steered the organization into one of Bangladesh’s largest non-governmental development entities. Today, under his leadership, over 11,000 employees work to empower millions through a participatory development model. Reflecting on the 2023–2024 fiscal year, he credits the organization’s milestones to the resilience of its beneficiaries and the enduring support of the executive committee, general body, partners, and donors in creating a sustainable future.

Mrs. Anowara Sharmeen is a distinguished professional who represents a brilliant combination of wisdom, strategic planning, and dedicated social service. Born into a respected family in Kalabagan, Dhaka, as the daughter of a former MPA and Deputy Minister, she was raised in an environment deeply enriched with the values of statecraft and humanitarian service. Academically, she holds an M.S.S. in Sociology from the University of Dhaka and a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Development Planning from the Planning Academy in Nilkhet.

During her three decades of public service, including her foundational role as a Research Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, she made significant contributions to agricultural planning, project implementation, and the integration of ICT in development. With extensive international training and policy-level experience, she has become a skilled architect of Bangladesh’s development administration.

Since joining Padakhep’s Board of Directors in 2021, her leadership as Vice-Chairperson has provided invaluable guidance. She remains a silent architect of social transformation, offering a strong, women-centered perspective that continues to drive the organization’s mission toward inclusive and sustainable growth.

Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubar Rahman is a scholarly and guiding figure on the Board of Padakhep, bringing an unparalleled depth of academic and administrative excellence to the organization. Born into a family rooted in knowledge and tradition in Rasulpur village, Gaibandha, he demonstrated exceptional brilliance early in his journey, graduating first class first in Entomology. He later earned his PhD and significantly contributed to the nation’s scientific landscape through extensive research at the Nuclear Agriculture Institute.

His leadership in agricultural development has established him as both a scientific pioneer and a visionary administrator. Beyond his domestic contributions, he is a builder of institutions, having served as a university Vice-Chancellor and a leader of high-level research teams. Internationally, he achieved distinction as a founding figure in the pesticide division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), where he helped shape global standards for agricultural safety and sustainability.

His research and experience have played a vital role in strengthening the foundation of agricultural knowledge in Bangladesh. As a member of Padakhep’s board, he provides deep guidance, ensuring that the organization’s rural initiatives are built upon a strong foundation of scientific evidence, hard work, and enduring values.

Dr. A.B.M. Morshed Alam Siddique is a distinguished agricultural economist and a scholarly pillar of the Padakhep Board. His academic journey began at the prestigious Bangladesh Agricultural University, where he established a strong foundation in rural economics. Pursuing global excellence, he later moved to Japan, completing his higher studies and advanced research at the renowned Kyushu and Nihon Universities. This international exposure equipped him with a unique perspective on sustainable agricultural practices and sophisticated research methodologies, which he has since applied to the socio-economic landscape of Bangladesh.

Having served as a dedicated and long-standing member of Padakhep’s General Council, his recent election to the Executive Board marks a significant milestone for the organization. Dr. Siddique brings a rare combination of deep academic insights and practical, international developmental expertise to his leadership role.

He is a passionate advocate for data-driven social transformation, ensuring that the organization’s initiatives are grounded in rigorous analysis and global best practices. As a member, he continues to champion the integration of modern economic strategies with community-led development, playing a vital role in steering Padakhep toward a future of sustainable, inclusive growth for the marginalized populations it serves nationwide.

Ms. Nahid Akter is a dynamic and visionary leader who brings a unique blend of creative strategy and administrative excellence to the Board of Padakhep. As a key leadership figure at Arani Advertising Ltd., she has been instrumental in steering the organization through complex nationwide projects, including the successful coordination of the 2025 Zonal Workshops.

Her professional journey is defined by a commitment to operational efficiency, team synergy, and the development of impactful communication strategies that bridge the gap between corporate objectives and community needs.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Ms. Akter has been a dedicated and long-standing member of Padakhep’s General Board. Her recent elevation to the Executive Board reflects her deep-rooted passion for sustainable human development and her ability to apply modern management principles to the non-governmental sector.

She is a strong advocate for inclusive growth, particularly focusing on how innovative communication and participatory models can empower marginalized populations. Her presence on the board ensures a forward-thinking approach to governance, where data-driven decision-making meets compassionate social service. As a member, she continues to champion the organization’s mission, providing the strategic oversight necessary to navigate the evolving challenges of Bangladesh’s development landscape.

Ms. Mumtaj Sadina is a distinguished educator and social researcher who brings a profound understanding of human dynamics to the Board of Padakhep. She holds a postgraduate degree in Anthropology from the University of Dhaka, a discipline that has shaped her unique perspective on community-led development and cultural evolution. Her early professional career was dedicated to academia, where she served as a Lecturer at Lalmatia Mohila College, inspiring a new generation of students through her deep insights into the social fabric of Bangladesh.

Since 2012, Ms. Sadina has been an integral part of Padakhep, moving beyond the classroom to apply her expertise to the grassroots challenges of poverty alleviation and social equity. Having served multiple successful terms on the board, her leadership was reaffirmed on November 17, 2024, when she was re-elected to continue her mission of social transformation.

Her approach is defined by a commitment to qualitative research and anthropological methodology, ensuring that the organization’s initiatives are culturally sensitive and highly inclusive. As a member of the Executive Board, she champions the cause of marginalized communities, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical, community-driven social service to create lasting, sustainable change across the nation.

Ms. Muhutareem Siddique is a dynamic professional and a vital member of the Padakhep Board, representing the new generation of strategic leadership in Bangladesh’s development sector. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from North South University, one of the country’s premier institutions, which provided her with a robust foundation in management, organizational behavior, and economic strategy.

Her academic background has been further enriched by her experience in the corporate world, where she has developed a keen eye for operational efficiency and sustainable business models.

Since joining the board, Ms. Siddique has been a consistent advocate for modernizing the organization’s administrative frameworks. She believes that for a non-governmental organization to thrive in the 21st century, it must blend compassionate social service with the precision of corporate governance. Her contributions to the board focus on enhancing transparency, streamlining project management, and ensuring that the organization’s resources are utilized with maximum impact.

As a member, she plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between traditional development practices and innovative, tech-driven solutions. Her forward-thinking approach ensures that Padakhep remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of marginalized communities, steering the organization toward a future of long-term stability and inclusive growth.