Corporate Facts

Nobel Laureate, the father of Microcredit and Social Business, the founder of Grameen Bank Professor Muhammad Yunus is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist, and civil society leader awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for founding the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance.

Professor Yunus has been an advocate of an innovative approach to social business; a model that combines the best business idea and modern technology with a focus on social outcomes. The result has been sustainable enterprises that are solving social and economic issues in many parts of the developing and developed world.

Mr. Md. Ashraful Hassan has been associated with the Grameen Group for over 40 years and currently serves as the Chairman of Grameen Group. Additionally, he holds the positions of Executive Vice Chairman, Managing Director, and CEO of several Grameen Organizations.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Hassan has significantly contributed to promoting and providing accessible telecommunication services in rural Bangladesh. He possesses extensive expertise in various industrial sectors, particularly in textiles and electronics, with a focus on resource- and energy-efficient production. Furthermore, he has substantial experience in industrial management, supply chain management, local and export markets, and the development of rural artists and artisan goods. Mr. Hassan also has comprehensive knowledge in construction engineering and is currently responsible for overseeing the establishment of most of the Grameen Group’s mega projects.

Mr. Hassan began his career with Grameen Bank in 1984. During his 15-year tenure, he held various key positions, including Chief of the Engineering section, where he made significant contributions to the infrastructural development of Grameen Bank. Presently, he serves as a member of the Board of Directors of several enterprises that play a vital role in renewable energy, healthcare, education, microcredit, food and nutrition, information and communication technology, manufacturing, entrepreneurship development, and employment generation.

Nazneen Sultana is the Executive Vice Chairman of Grameen Communications and has led the organization as Managing Director from 1997 to 2023. She is a member of the Board of Directors of several companies including Grameen Bank. She earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Applied Mathematics from the University of Chittagong and a diploma in Management Information Systems from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. She started her career at Grameen Bank, establishing its ICT division and developing the world’s first complete micro-banking software, now used by over 300 microfinance institutions. Under her leadership, Grameen Communications expanded ICT services to rural areas and conducted research with Kyushu University, Japan. She has served on boards including Accenture Bangladesh. Nazneen initiated the Social Business Monitoring System and Social Business Pedia, and is active in NGOs promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, healthcare, and ICT for development. Her career bridges technology, social welfare, and social business.

Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim was a distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Dhaka. He earned B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Dhaka University and a Ph.D. in Surface Physics from the University of Southampton, UK (1972). He served as Chairman of the Physics Department and Director of the Renewable Energy Research Centre, focusing on renewable energy and solid-state physics. He popularized science through the BTV program Desh o Biggyan and as editor of Bigyan Shamoiki. He founded the Centre for Mass Education in Science (CMES) to promote science education among rural youth, especially girls. He received the Bangla Academy Award, Qudrat-e-Khuda Gold Medal, and international honors. His career combined teaching, research, and public science advocacy.

Mr. M Shahjahan was the Managing Director (CEO) of of Grameen Bank from 14 August 2011 to 30 October 2015 and Head of the Accounts, Finance, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, the Chief of the Audit Department, and the Zonal Manager of Grameen Bank.Mr. Shahjahan is a member of the Board of Directors of several companies that work in the fields of health, education, agriculture, welfare, renewable energy and telecommunications. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in Accounting from the University of Dhaka in 1976, as well as a Master’s degree in Accounting in 1977 and a Master’s degree in Finance in 1981. He was awarded ICAB Medal (Silver) for passing the ‘C.A. Intermediate examination at the earliest eligible chance in 1981.

Professor H. I. Latifee was a Professor of Economics at the University of Chittagong and Managing Director of Grameen Trust from 1994 to 2016. Under his leadership, Grameen Trust implemented over 151 Grameen replication programs in 41 countries, including 19 directly managed microcredit projects. In 2013, he launched the “New Entrepreneur Program” to reduce youth unemployment and foster young entrepreneurs. He received the Stars of Asia Award from Business Week in 2001 for expanding Grameen’s global reach. Currently, he is a board member of multiple microfinance and social business organizations. His work left a strong legacy in education, microfinance, and social business development.

Ms. Saleha Begum is a leader in microfinance and social business with over four decades in the Grameen family. She served as Managing Director of Grameen Byabosha Bikash. She began her journey in 1973 with the Rural Economic Program and Grameen Bank, holding roles including Area Manager and Zonal Manager. She oversees branch operations, staff performance, budgeting, and loans. Saleha serves on boards of Grameen Communications, Grameen Fund, Grameen Knitwear, Grameen Solutions, and other Grameen organizations. Her leadership has promoted entrepreneurship, social business, and rural development. She is one of the earliest associates of Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus since the inception of Grameen Bank in the village of Jobra. She is vastly experienced and has been working for 39 years.

Mr. Abdul Hai Khan is a microfinance and social business leader with over 40 years of service in the Grameen family. He became Managing Director of Grameen Trust in 2017 and Executive Vice Chairman in 2023. Previously, he worked over 25 years at Grameen Bank, rising from Branch Manager to Zonal Manager, overseeing 110 branches and 1,000 staff. He has led international programs, training, and monitoring missions and served as CEO of Kosovo Grameen Missione Arcobaleno Microcredit Fund and General Manager of Family Bank, Bahrain. He is a board member of multiple microfinance and social business organizations worldwide and is committed to poverty alleviation and global impact.

Mr. Mir Akhtar Hossain began his career at Grameen Bank in 1982 and worked closely with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus for 24 years, ultimately serving as General Manager. He completed his Honours and Masters in Management from the University of Dhaka. Throughout his career, he organized and coordinated major seminars and meetings with global organizations such as WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, ADB, World Bank, IMF, DFID, and others on behalf of Grameen Bank. He represented Grameen Bank at numerous international conferences and visited countries including Germany, Ghana, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, India, USA, UK, France, and Norway. Notably, he was a core member of the Grameen Bank team at the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony in Oslo in 2006. Mr. Hossain also held directorships in various Grameen organizations and worked as a key coordinator in international collaborations. Currently, he serves as Director of the Grameen Motsho Pashu Shampad Foundation and as a General Member of Grameen Trust.

Mr. Qazi Nazrul Huque is Managing Director of Grameen Shikkha, promoting education and vocational training for underprivileged communities in Bangladesh. He earned degrees in Public Administration from Dhaka University and Business Administration from Victoria University, Melbourne. He began his career at Grameen Bank in 1990 as a Senior Officer, managing branches and contributing to training and international programs. He joined Grameen Shikkha in 2001 and expanded its educational initiatives. He is a social business advocate, guest lecturer, and has partnered with organizations like GSRD Foundation to provide scholarships and vocational training, supporting socio-economic development in Bangladesh.

Mr. Feroz Mahmud is a seasoned technology leader and former Country Manager of Microsoft Bangladesh. He was responsible for Microsoft business in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Before joining Microsoft, he worked for IBM for about 13 years in different technical and management roles. During his tenure at Microsoft, he played a pivotal role in driving digital transformation initiatives across the country. With extensive expertise in technology strategy and business development, Mr. Feroz fostered partnerships between Microsoft and local industries, contributing to the growth of Bangladesh's IT ecosystem. He is known for his commitment to innovation, empowering businesses with cloud solutions, and promoting digital literacy. His leadership has significantly influenced the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in both the public and private sectors.

Mr. Feroz graduated from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).