Governing Body of Dnet

Home
>
Governing Body of Dnet

Dnet is governed by a diverse group of inventive enthusiasts with expertise in multiple sectors. They guide us towards our vision with their merits and experience

Dr. Shah Md. Ahsan Habib

Chairperson & Co-founder

Dr. Shah Md. Ahsan Habib

Chairperson & Co-founder

Dr. Shah Md. Ahsan Habib is a Professor Selection Grade at Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management [BIBM]. He obtained his PhD from India; and accomplished Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Syracuse University, USA under Senior Fulbright Scholarship. Having close to 30 years of professional experience in the banking industry, he has expertise and experience of delivering training and workshops on banking both at home and abroad. He has teaching experiences with the Institute of Business Administration [IBA] and Department of International Business of the University of Dhaka; East West University; Brac University and the University of Professionals. Dr. Ahsan has over 250 research papers/studies/publications/chapters in different national and international journals/books. He worked as a research consultant with several national and international organizations including the World Bank, ADB, UNDP, GIZ, ADB, OXFUM GB, CPD, InM, Bangladesh Bank, EU, DFID, etc. Dr. Ahsan is a columnist for the national dailies and published over 250 newspaper features in the national daily newspapers. He is a Member of the ICC Bangladesh Banking Commission; a Board Member of the Green Tech Foundation, Bangladesh; and a Trustee of the ‘Valor of Bangladesh’. He is an independent Director of IPDC Finance Ltd.

Dr. Habib is one of the Co-founders of Dnet. Before appointing as the Chairperson he served as Treasurer and Executive Chairperson of Dnet for a long period.

Ananya Raihan PhD

Executive Chairperson & Co-founder

Ananya Raihan PhD

Executive Chairperson & Co-founder

Dr. Ananya Raihan is a pioneer of ICT for Development (ICT4D) in Bangladesh and a serial social entrepreneur. He is one of the Co-founder of Dnet, a social enterprise working at the intersection of technology, policy, and development to empower marginalized communities.

An Ashoka Fellow (2004) and recipient of the National ICT Award (2015), Dr. Raihan served as E-Governance Advisor to the Access to Information (a2i) Programme at the Prime Minister’s Office (2009–2012) and was a member of the Digital Bangladesh Task Forces (2007–2014).

Under his leadership, Dnet incubated and piloted landmark initiatives including Union Information and Services Centres (UISC), Smart Classroom, Aponjon digital health service, and the pilot of the national emergency service 999. He also founded MCC Limited (now NDE Infratech), Institute of Informatics and Development (IID), and iSocial Limited.

Dr. Raihan has contributed extensively to national ICT and development policies, including the National ICT Policy, National Telecom Policy, Right to Information Act, and Five-Year Plans. He currently serves as Co-Chair of Catalyst 2030, a global network advancing the SDGs, and remains actively engaged in strengthening Bangladesh’s startup and innovation ecosystem.

Sarwar Uddin Ahmed PhD

Treasurer & Co-founder

Sarwar Uddin Ahmed PhD

Treasurer & Co-founder

Professor Sarwar Uddin Ahmed currently serves as Professor and Dean of the School of Business at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). With over 30 years of academic experience across Bangladesh, Japan, and the United States, he brings a strong international perspective to teaching and research.

He completed postdoctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley (2018) and McNeese State University (2011-12) as a two-time recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Program. In addition, he was awarded the Japan Foundation Fellowship (2022–2023), where he specialized in ESG Risk Management.

Professor Ahmed is a prolific researcher, having authored more than 100 publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, research reports, and conference papers, contributing significantly to the fields of business, sustainability, and climate-related studies.

Toufic Ahmad Choudhury PhD

Member & Co-founder

Toufic Ahmad Choudhury PhD

Member & Co-founder

Dr. Toufic Ahmad Choudhury is a renowned Bangladeshi economist, academic, and banking sector expert with significant contributions to financial sector development and policy research. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Economics from Jahangirnagar University and earned his PhD in Economics from Himachal Pradesh University under a Commonwealth scholarship.

He joined Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management in 1981 and later served as its Director General from 2010 to 2019, playing a key role in strengthening banking education, research, and professional training in Bangladesh.

Dr. Choudhury has held important governance and advisory roles, including serving as an Independent Director of Eastern Bank PLC and contributing to institutions such as PKSF and the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development. He also served as General Secretary of the Bangladesh Economic Association.

An accomplished scholar with over 50 publications, he has contributed extensively to research on banking, risk management, and financial sector reforms. He also served as Chairperson of Dnet, supporting innovation and knowledge-based development initiatives.

Professor Mustafizur Rahman PhD

Member & Co-founder

Professor Mustafizur Rahman PhD

Member & Co-founder

Professor Dr. Mustafizur Rahman is the Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). He is currently a member of the Panel of Experts for the Second Perspective Plan of Bangladesh (2021-2041).

Barrister Sara Hossain

Member

Barrister Sara Hossain

Member

Barrister Sara Hossain an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, partner at the law firm of Dr Kamal Hossain and Associates, and serves pro bono as the Honorary Executive Director of the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST).

M. Azmat Khan

Member & Co-founder

M. Azmat Khan

Member & Co-founder

Mr. M. Azmat Khan is a Co-founder of Dnet. Along with his involvement in the development sector, he has 27 years of experience in the corporate sector, and is working with the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB).

Mahmud Hasan

Executive Director & Co-founder

Mahmud Hasan

Executive Director & Co-founder

Mr. Mahmud Hasan is a social entrepreneur and researcher with over 25 years of experience in ICT4D, NGOs, and the private sector. Currently the Director of Agriculture Policy for USAID’s Feed the Future Bangladesh Policy LINK, he specializes in designing sustainable, scalable solutions for community growth.

A pioneer in Bangladesh’s digital landscape, Mahmud led the development of the nation’s first community ICT centers and co-founded several social enterprises, including Dnet, Kite Bangladesh, and Agromars. He has served as a senior advisor for global institutions such as UN Women, the World Bank, and the British Council, and is a recognized expert in Gender Evaluation Methodology and the Art of Storytelling.

An alumnus of the Founder Institute (USA), Mahmud holds a Master’s in Economics and remains a dedicated advocate for gender equality and local-language digital inclusion.

Md. Mizanur Rahman

Member

Md. Mizanur Rahman

Member

Md. Mizanur Rahman is a strategic finance and operations leader with over 15 years of experience in the development sector, specializing in donor fund management, budgetary control, and organizational growth. His objective is to be an exemplary financial leader, contributing his extensive expertise to the social enterprise industry. He is dedicated to perfecting his craft by implementing standardized financial systems and continuously optimizing institutional transparency and efficiency.