Dhaka Advisory Board

GC DHAKA ABOUT US

Dhaka Advisory Board

Our Advisory Board consists of insightful business leaders advising Global Chamber® Dhaka to help companies and communities increase international trade... with exporting, importing, foreign tourism and FDI/investment.

Current Advisory Board Chair

Kashfia N. Firdous

Independent auditor, consultant, innovator & writer.

Kashfia is an independent consultant in the audit & assurance profession, building on her 17 years of varied experience of constructing internal audit, risk management, compliance & governance functions, ground up, for major international organizations such as Summit Group, icddr,b, GlaxoSmithKline BD and Chevron BD. She served in a leadership role for seven years at Summit Group, a multi-billion dollar international energy company. She started her career in 2007 with the big 4, Ernst & Young, LLP in USA. She is also an avid writer, having attended various writer's workshops in the United States, and is currently working on her first novel. Being a certified trainer for Mike Dooley's Infinite Potential way of life, she is also building her own unique speaking and coaching profile. Given her diverse and multi-faceted experience, she wants to focus on empowering people to be the best version of themselves, both in their personal & professional lives.

Advisory Board Members

Raju Alim

Senior Program Producer of Impress Telefilm & CEO of Global Brands

Raju Alim is a poet, dramatist, director, and journalist and currently is working as Senior Program Producer of Impress Telefilm Limited (Channel I). He is also the CEO of Global Brands.

Labiba Zaman

Lawyer at Amir and Amir Law Associates

Labiba Zaman is a corporate and civil law practitioner with an LLB (Hons) from the University of London and an LLM in International Trade Law from Northumbria University (UK). She specializes in corporate governance, civil and criminal litigation, contract drafting, company structuring, and alternative dispute resolution. As an Associate at Amir and Amir Law Associates, she advises both local and international clients and has conducted extensive legal research and provided legal advice under distinguished practitioners such as Barrister Amir-Ul Islam and Barrister Tania Amir.

In addition to her legal practice, Labiba serves as an Advisory Board Member of Global Chamber Dhaka, contributing to initiatives that promote international trade, investment, and global business collaboration. Known for her professionalism, strong communication skills, and commitment to integrity and continuous growth, she is dedicated to delivering strategic and client-focused legal solutions.

Tawhidur Rashid

Managing Editor at ICE Business Times

Tawhidur Rashid loves to claim himself to be a square peg in a round hole. A medical graduate turned writer turned an editor and communication expert-Tawhid has always sought refuge to words and been lucky enough to be found time and again. Currently, he is working as the Managing Editor of ICE Today and ICE Business Times, the longest-running and prominent magazines of the country. Being the erstwhile Head of Events, Media and Publication director, Tawhid is also well-conversant in bilateral trade and international communications.

Farzana Afrin Tisha

Business Development Manager Global & Head of Marketing at Brain Station 23

Tisha is an Electrical & Electronics Engineer academically who is working as the Marketing Lead in one of the top home-grown Global IT company Brain Station 23 Limited. She is also working for Global IT Business Development in Brain Station & has more than 5 years of experience in both the local & global IT industry. Besides being IT Marketing & Business Development Enthusiast, she is highly involved with tech community works. She is one of the co-founders of the one and only AWS Community in Bangladesh. Along with that, she is Google's #IamRemarkable Facilitator in Bangladesh.

Muhammad Golam Mustafa

Managing Director at Union Trading Company Limited

Muhammad Golam Mustafa has almost 50 years worth of business experience in Bangladesh and globally as well. He has travelled to over 25 countries having developed strong business relationships with the USA, EU, UAE, Japan and India. Mustafa is a veteran business leader in local forums and is a former Vice President of the oldest business chamber in the country, the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has co-founded and been in the management boards of 4 leading bilateral business chambers in Bangladesh and is also the current President of the Seafood Export Buying Agents Association of Bangladesh. Mustafa is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Past President of Rotary Club of Shyamoli Dhaka.

Afsara Ayesha

Brand & Social Media Designer | Youth Life & Career Coach

Afsara is a seasoned professional in the designing and coaching industry with 10 years of experience working in various industries, such as Virtual Learning, University & Career Readiness, School Growth Support, Youth Coaching, Brand and Social Media Designing, Training & Facilitation, Entrepreneurship, Retail, and Insurance Consulting.

Her expertise lies in Creative Design, Social Media Branding, Data Visualization, Social Media Management, Events, and Hybrid Team Building.

Afsara's mission is to help customers reach the right audiences at scale, with Creative Design and Brand Promotion across both Social and Mainstream Media. She uses the principles of design and empowering coaching for higher awareness, discovery, and growth.

She combines the two ends of Commerce and Arts to measure and represent what works in projects and what could be improved.

During her career, Afsara has worked with clients and participants from different parts of the world. She was recently globally recognized by the International Association of Coaching for her creative leadership for VOICE Magazine, a global coaching readership.

Arif Ahmed

Managing Director at Light Over Light & Co Ltd (LLCo)

Arif has worked across 20+ countries, specializing in Human Capital Development, Digitalization, and Design Thinking. With a background in Computer Science and Business Process Automation, he focuses on optimizing human and business capital through data-driven analysis.

Arif is an expert in developing future-ready professionals, particularly in enhancing presentation skills and virtual communication. He coaches individuals on effective presentation techniques, public speaking, and interpersonal communication. His expertise extends to sales, negotiation, and problem-solving, equipping individuals with a comprehensive skill set for success in any business environment.

Arif has collaborated with clients such as AEON Credit, KK Group, Sony, and RHB Bank, across industries including AI, software implementation, and education. He has led projects in HR automation, company growth models, and virtual learning design.

As the Managing Director of Light over Light & Co Ltd. (LLCo), an SME management consulting firm, Arif co-creates solutions for professional and company growth, focusing on 360° management, HR automation, digital transformation, and workforce development. He also manages AI-driven projects within CEAI, advising on AI frameworks, decision tree models, and UI/UX development.

Mentor Ashif

Business Strategist | Coach & Mentor | Founder & Chairman, Light over Light Sdn Bhd (Malaysia) & Light over Light & Co Ltd. (Bangladesh)

Prof. Mentor Ashif has over 41 years of experience across industries including Education, Corporate Training, Finance, Consulting, Coaching, Entrepreneurship, and SME Development. He has worked with multinational companies and government institutions in Bangladesh, before becoming Country Director for a US-based consulting firm, serving Fortune 500 clients.

In 2005, he founded Light over Light, focusing on advisory and mentoring for schools and SMEs, initially in Bangladesh, and later in Malaysia and Cambodia. He is also a published researcher and serves on the Advisory Board of OIPD.

A respected business strategist and organization change leader, Prof. Ashif specializes in behavioral change, talent development, and school and SME growth. He has designed innovative educational programs to equip future-ready graduates with practical skills for evolving industries. His work has helped institutions produce highly employable professionals.

Prof. Ashif is passionate about ethical businesses, believing entrepreneurs are key to prosperity. He is the founder of the International Association of Coaching (IAC®) Dhaka Chapter and Light over Light & Co Ltd. (BD) and Light over Light Sdn. Bhd. (MY).

Mashahed Hassan

Chief Strategy Officer, Movementum Consultancy & Facilitation Group (MCFG); Partner & Director (Strategy) – Renboe Enterprises; Chief Strategy Officer, Talent Sourcing & Corporate Solutions (TSCS)

Mashahed Hassan Simanta is a best-selling author, leading soft-skills trainer, management consultant, and executive coach from Bangladesh. He has worked with top corporate clients like BRAC Bank, Walton Group, and SGS, as well as development organizations such as UN Women and UNDP. He has also contributed as a resource person for government institutions like BCS Admin Academy and BIAM.

Simanta has impacted over 30,000 individuals through 200+ training assignments and reached 20 million people via digital content. He holds a BBA from IBA-JU and a Master's in Governance & Development Studies (1st Class, 1st). He is currently pursuing an MBA at IBA-DU and holds a TOT certificate from the World Bank Group/IFC.

Simanta has coached over 500 individuals, including CEOs, doctors, and army officials. He served as a judge and coach for the International Public Speaking Championship (IPSC) and adjudicated the grand final of the International Championship for Young Debaters 2020 by Oxford Union. He has provided training to institutions like Beihang University (China) and Swinburne University (Malaysia), and has spoken at prestigious platforms, including TEDx and the House of Commons in the UK.

Nur-E-Alam

Telecommunications Professional

Telecommunications professional with 5 years of experience in multinational companies, entrepreneur in elevators, escalators, and generators, proud BRAC University graduate, and standing committee member at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah

Managing Director of Interport Group

Tanjil Ahmed Ruhullah is the Managing Director of Interport Group, one of Bangladesh's leading maritime services providers, specializing in Marine Survey, Marine Risk Management, Claims Handling, Ship Agency, and Maritime Logistics. Under his leadership, Interport Group has grown into a key player in the country’s maritime sector.

Tanjil is also a member of the Nautical Institute (UK), and in 2021, he was elected as the youngest Board Director of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) for consecutive terms. His leadership extends to his roles as the Founding President of YoungShip Bangladesh and a Steering Committee Member of the IMO Working Group of YoungShip International.

Tanjil’s vision centers on the sustainable growth of Bangladesh’s shipping sector, with a specific focus on transforming Bangladeshi ports into preferred destinations for international shipping. His leadership is integral to Interport Group’s ongoing efforts to contribute to the development of Bangladesh’s blue economy.

Wakil Ahmed Isnad

Founder and CEO of Fatmonk Studio

Wakil Ahmed Isnad is the founder and CEO of Fatmonk Studio, a Bangladesh-based software and design firm with a rapidly expanding global footprint. A visionary committed to innovation, Wakil co-organized TEDxDhaka for several years and founded Dugdugi Music Limited, Bangladesh’s pioneering legal music streaming platform, securing investments from Dhaka and California in 2013 and operating until 2014.

With more than 15 years of experience in the tech and marketing industries—including a tenure at FCB Bitopi, a leading advertising agency in Bangladesh—he has been a driving force in fostering community growth and implementing impactful practices within Bangladesh’s tech ecosystem.

An engineer by education and a seasoned business leader for over a decade, Wakil excels in startups, investment, people management, and networking, with these strengths clearly reflected in his leadership at Fatmonk Studio.

Arif. Tanim

CIMA Qualified Accountant and Bangladesh Military & Defense Contractor

Arif Tanim is a Chartered Accountant with qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in the United Kingdom, bringing a distinguished background in finance and strategic management. His professional journey began in the UK, where he gained extensive experience with major organizations, including the National Health Service (NHS). Throughout his career, Arif has also shown a strong commitment to humanitarian causes, serving as a volunteer with prominent global organizations such as UNICEF and Amnesty International, where he contributed his skills to impactful initiatives.

Currently residing in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Arif has transitioned into the defense industry, applying his expertise as a defense contractor. In this role, he works closely with key military and law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh, focusing on sourcing and supplying advanced defense equipment and services. Arif’s combined background in finance, international operations, and humanitarian service underscores his dedication to making a meaningful impact across both public and private sectors.

Muhammed Refayet

CEO & Co-founder of WiserGates Limited

Muhammad Refayet Chowdhury is the CEO & Co-founder of WiserGates Limited, a wealth-ed-tech company working to establish financial literacy and provide access to investment for all. He is also the Chairman of Antopolis Technologies Limited, a tech-recruit & tech-project management company that primarily serves startups in North America & Australia. Refayet also holds the position of Director at The Marketing Factory (TMF), a marketing company that specializes in PR, GR, and Diplomatic Relationships.

Additionally, he is a Strategic Advisor & Partner at Shuttle Technologies Limited, an app-based transportation services company that serves both retail customers and businesses.

Refayet is a former banker who worked at HSBC for 5 years in corporate banking, managing a diverse and exciting portfolio of corporate clients.

He is passionate about solving problems by enabling people. Refayet holds a BBA and MBA from the Institute of Business Administration, DU.

Refayet believes that "his greatest passion is to solve problems of national or global stature. He found the prime way of hustling through this journey is by enabling people to realize their innate potentials and thus helping the world enjoy the magic that they can create, as a team.

Syed Asir Haque

Founding and Managing Partner at A&A Global Consultants

Syed Asir Haque is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with a proven track record in building cross-border ventures and enabling global market access. He currently serves as the Founding and Managing Partner at A&A Global Consultants, a boutique advisory firm supporting international businesses seeking to enter, grow, and scale in Bangladesh.

Over the years, he has led strategic partnerships with global technology and apparel companies, guiding them through market entry, business development, digital transformation, and ESG adoption. Asir also holds the position of Director at HKS Global, a sourcing and brand management company, where he has contributed to the expansion of international fashion brands across the region.

Asir is a certified Management Consultant and SAP Technology Consultant, with an educational background spanning Bangladesh, Singapore, and New Zealand. Deeply committed to the power of global networks and inclusive ecosystems, and his work emphasizes sustainable growth, strategic partnerships, and unlocking Bangladesh’s potential in the global economy.

A former Curator at the Global Shapers Community (World Economic Forum) and Vice President at AIESEC New Zealand, Asir has designed and delivered leadership and capacity-building programs for youth and professional teams, including training in curated modules and soft skills development.

Currently, he serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Global Chamber Bangladesh, contributing a strong passion for global connectivity, youth empowerment, applied research, and business strategy.