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Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI) is a youth nonprofit organisation working to raise awareness about the ongoing ecological and climate crisis and inspire youth environmental actions to protect and improve the life-supporting nature and ecosystems.

Board of Trustees

Dr Matin Ahmed

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

Dr Matin Ahmed

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

Professor Dr. Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed is one of Bangladesh’s foremost earth scientists and a leading global authority on groundwater sustainability. He currently serves as the senior-most Professor (Grade 1) at the Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, where he has been teaching and mentoring generations of geoscientists since 1987.

Dr. Ahmed obtained his PhD in Hydrogeology from the University of London in 1994, following his BSc and MSc in Geology from the University of Dhaka. Over his distinguished career, he has made pioneering contributions to understanding groundwater contamination, salinity, urbanization impacts, and sustainable aquifer management. His research collaborations have spanned leading institutions across Europe, North America, and Asia, including Columbia University, University College London, Osaka City University, and the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Ahmed has authored or co-authored over 250 scientific papers and 30 book chapters, cited more than 18,000 times globally. He is one of the authors of the WHO International Guidelines for Assessing the Risk to Groundwater from On-site Sanitation (ARGOSS). He is recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University and ranked as Bangladesh’s top Earth Science researcher by multiple global indices. Dr. Ahmed continues to shape both scientific inquiry and policy dialogue on water security and sustainable development. </p?

Beyond academia, he has served as advisor or expert consultant to the World Bank, ADB, UNICEF, and various UN agencies, as well as national committees under the Government of Bangladesh. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing evidence-based water and environmental policy across the country.

Dr. Ahmed has been associated with BYEI since its early days, serving as Advisor to the National Earth Olympiad (NEO) since 2012. As Chairman of the BYEI Board of Trustees, he brings enormous expertise, integrity, and vision to guide the organization’s mission of empowering youth to lead Bangladesh’s transition toward a more just, fair, equitable and sustainable future.

Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed

Trustee

Dr Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed

Trustee

Dr. Fazle Rabbi Sadeque Ahmed is a distinguished environmental scientist and climate change expert with a career spanning over three decades dedicated to sustainable development and climate resilience. Following a 25-year tenure as a civil servant with the Government of Bangladesh, Dr. Sadeque transitioned to the Palli-Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), a premier government-backed organization driving sustainable poverty reduction through employment generation, where he, currently, serves as the Deputy Managing Director, spearheading initiatives that align ecological sustainability with socio-economic empowerment.

Renowned for his expertise, Dr. Sadeque has shaped national and global climate policy through pivotal roles, including serving as a national advisor to the UN Green Climate Fund (2015–16), contributing to Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA), and leading as the Designated National Authority (DNA) for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). He has represented Bangladesh in multiple UNFCCC climate negotiations and COPs, advocating for equitable climate finance and solutions. Dr. Sadeque mentors institutions and governments on climate resilience and serves as an adjunct faculty member at several universities in Bangladesh. His prolific scholarship includes peer-reviewed articles and co-authored books on climate and environmental issues, bridging research and practice.

As a Trustee of BYEI, Dr. Sadeque brings a wealth of experience from academia, public service, and international climate advocacy to inspire and guide youth-led environmental action. Dr. Sadeque champions youth engagement in climate action, combining his strategic vision, grassroots experience, and global perspective to empower young changemakers in building a sustainable future. His journey reflects a steadfast commitment to merging policy, education, and community-driven solutions for planetary and human well-being.

He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Aberdeen, UK, and earned his undergraduate degree with honors in Agriculture from the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Shamir Shehab

Founder and Trustee

Shamir Shehab

Founder and Trustee

Shamir Shehab is a social and environmental justice advocate. He has more than 15 years of experience on teaching, research and practice in the intersection of climate change and international development. His involvement with community service and environmental activism at home and abroad inspired him to found the BYEI.

Shamir received several national and international recognitions for his work, including the Queen's Young Leaders Award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Green Leadership Award, Youth Interfaith Leaders Fellowship on Climate Change from the Duke University, an excellence award and an innovation grant from the US Department of State, among many others.

Shamir is currently the Founding Curator and Strategist of a think and do institute named BRIDGE - Bay of Bengal Research Institute for Democratic Governance, Economy and Environment. Previously, he was the Co-founder and Lead - Climate, Resilience and Sustainability Practice of the Catalyzing Sustainable Transformation (CaST) Network, an action-oriented research organisation. Before CaST, he worked at Oxford Policy Management, Green Climate Fund (GCF), North South University, and several NGOs. His past works focused on adaptive social protection, climate finance, disaster risk management, renewable energy, climate governance and resilience projects and programs for international development organizations such as the World Bank, FCDO, GIZ, and Green Climate Fund.

Shamir holds an MPA with specialisation in environmental policy from Cornell University. He read politics and international affairs as a Yenching Scholar at Peking University and organisational management and leadership at the University of Cambridge. Shamir's academic and scholarly interest lies in the political ecology of climate change and enviromental crisis.

Email:sshehab [@] byei.org

Zerin Ahmed

Trustee

Zerin Ahmed

Trustee

Zerin Ahmed is a development professional in the intersection of human rights, natural resource governance, and climate justice. She has more than 8 years of experience working with youth, women, and other marginalised groups dependent on natural resources. She has worked on interconnected issues, including Just Energy Transition, Loss & Damage, climate finance, water and food systems, workers' rights, and digital inclusion.

Zerin Ahmed currently works with Oxfam International in Asia as a Technical Coordinator. She previously worked with several nonprofit organization, including BRAC's Social Innovation Lab and BYEI.

Zerin Ahmed holds a bachelor and master in English Literature from the University of Dhaka. She is a Commonwealth Scholar currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Rights at the University of London.

Naser Alam

Trustees

Naser Alam

Trustees

Naser Alam has been an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh since 1995 and a non-practicing Barrister at the Bar of England and Wales since 1999. He is currently the Head of Chambers of MNA, Barristers & Advocates. He specializes in Energy laws and policy, infrastructure contracts, international commercial and investment arbitration and mediation, land laws and policy, banking and finance, corporate laws, foreign investment, and cross-border transactions.

He acted as a National Consultant for DFID (UKAID), to review three critical development projects funded by DFID, namely, the Police Reform Project (PRP), the Access to Justice Project, and the Legal Aid Project in Bangladesh. He has also acted as a senior Consultant for the International Finance Corporation (IFC), regarding a project to draft mediation rules for incorporation into the civil justice system in Bangladesh.

He worked as a Research Fellow at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague. He worked with the International Arbitration group of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, a magic circle UK law firm, in their Paris office. He acted as an Independent Director of Trust Bank PLC, DBL Group, Matin Spinning PLC, among others.

He was a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholar and a Tri-Partite Chevening Scholar.

S. Muntasir Ridwan

Trustee

S. Muntasir Ridwan

Trustee

Syed Muntasir Ridwan is a thought leader and development practitioner with over 13 years of expertise in private sector engagement, sustainability, and youth empowerment. As a Board of Trustee member and Deputy Executive Director of the Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI), he has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s role as a pioneer in fostering environmental stewardship and critical discourse among Bangladeshi youth.

Ridwan’s career reflects a unique fusion of economic acumen and environmental justice. As CEO of the Catalyzing Sustainable Transformation (CaST) Network, he drives initiatives at the intersection of impact investment, knowledge development, and ecological sustainability. Under his leadership, CaST’s Enterprise Development wing creates bankable ventures that promote disruptive innovations for climate-resilient livelihoods in marginalized communities, while the organization delivers action-oriented policy research and advocacy in key areas such as Food Systems, Climate Change, and Health Systems.

Previously, as Country Coordinator for the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network (co-convened by GAIN and WFP), Ridwan spearheaded multi-stakeholder collaborations to enhance private sector investments in nutrition and policy frameworks for healthier diets. His earlier role as an Investment Analyst at RACE Asset Management PLC honed his expertise in sectors like energy, IT, and pharmaceuticals, equipping him to bridge market systems with sustainable development goals.

A graduate in Economics from North South University (Bachelor) and the Norwegian School of Economics - NHH (Master's) with a specialization in natural resource management and environment, Ridwan’s work is rooted in a commitment to equity, ecological balance, and systemic change. He is currently pursuing a PhD along the same line. His leadership continues to inspire transformative action across sectors, aligning economic degrowth with the urgent needs of people and the planet.

Executive Advisory Board

Abdullah Al Shakil

Program and Innovation

Abdullah Al Shakil

Program and Innovation

Abdullah Shakil is a global health professional with over 10 years of experience in research and policy advocacy in multinational interdisciplinary work, particularly in immunization, gender and health, strategic planning, and social innovation. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Medical Anthropology at the University of Connecticut Department of Anthropology. Prior to joining UConn, he worked as a Research and Insights Lead at the BRAC Social Innovation Lab in Bangladesh and Director of Programs at BYEI. For over a decade, he has been active in grassroots environmental movement building, public health research, and project management. His research interest intersects the living environment and the burden of chronic illness for women. He is passionate about ensuring equitable access to healthcare for the marginalized populations. With immense enthusiasm he intends to promote environmental health and conservation to the youth populations of Bangladesh. He has a Master’s in Anthropology and Sociology from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva, Switzerland. Previosuly, he earned a Bachelor and Master degree in Anthropology from the Jahangirnagar University.

Joy Bhowmik

Budget and Operations

Joy Bhowmik

Budget and Operations

Joy Bhowmik is a Lecturer-cum- Research Associate at University of Liberal Arts and an expert in disaster risk and vulnerability reduction, post-disaster recovery, climate change impact and adaptation, environment-induced migration, capacity development and sustainable development. His interest is in using strategy to leverage an organization's resources in reaching out to target audiences.

Sufian M. Chowdhury

Communication and Influencing

Sufian M. Chowdhury

Communication and Influencing

Sufian is a business professional with keen interest in youth empowerment and the environment. His experiences revolve around educational program development, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and partnership. Sufian had also been a young journalist working on Childrens’ Rights and Education, had been a part of British Council’s Global ChangeMakers program and has represented Bangladesh in multiple national and international youth summits.

Ashek Mahmud Rana

Accountability

Ashek Mahmud Rana

Accountability

Ashek Mahmud is a development professional in the humanitarian sector with more than seven years of experiences. He is now working as National Information Management Officer of IOM-UN Migration and leading the Information Management activities of Shelter-NFI Sector/Cluster of Rohingya Refugee Response. Prior to that, he worked on MEAL at the Save the Children International. He also has the experience of working in the area of good governance at the municipal corporation level, sponsorship programming for slum dwellers, non-formal education programming for hill tracks adolescent girls, coordination, and cooperation to ensure accountability to affected population (AAP) principles, and so on. He was actively involved and held leadership positions with many youth-led organizations during his university days.

Management Team

Shamir Shehab

President (Honorary)

Shamir Shehab

President (Honorary)

Shamir Shehab is a social and environmental justice advocate. He currently serves the BYEI as the Honorary President on a pro bono basis.

Shamir has more than 15 years of experience on teaching, research and practice in the intersection of climate change and international development. His involvement with community service and environmental activism at home and abroad inspired him to found the BYEI back in 2009.

Before CaST, Shamir worked at Oxford Policy Management, Green Climate Fund (GCF), North South University, and several NGOs. His past works focused on adaptive social protection, climate finance, disaster risk management, renewable energy, climate governance and resilience projects and programs for international development organizations such as the World Bank, FCDO, GIZ, and Green Climate Fund.

Email:sshehab [@] byei.org

Syed Muntasir Ridwan

Advisor - Programs, Strategy and Impact

Syed Muntasir Ridwan

Advisor - Programs, Strategy and Impact

Syed Muntasir Ridwan is a thought leader and development practitioner with over 13 years of experiences in private sector, INGO, action-oriented policy research in the intersection sustainability and development, and youth empowerment. As the Advisor - Program, Strategy and Impact of the Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI), he has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s program, growth and stragic direction to foster environmental stewardship and critical discourse among Bangladeshi youth. Ridwan’s career reflects a unique fusion of economic acumen and environmental justice. As CEO of the Catalyzing Sustainable Transformation (CaST) Network, he drove initiatives at the intersection of impact investment, knowledge development, and ecological sustainability. Under his leadership, CaST’s Enterprise Development wing creates bankable ventures that promote disruptive innovations for climate-resilient livelihoods in marginalized communities, while the organization delivers action-oriented policy research and advocacy in key areas such as Food Systems, Climate Change, and Health Systems. Previously, as Country Coordinator for the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network (co-convened by GAIN and WFP), Ridwan spearheaded multi-stakeholder collaborations to enhance private sector investments in nutrition and policy frameworks for healthier diets. His earlier role as an Investment Analyst at RACE Asset Management PLC honed his expertise in sectors like energy, IT, and pharmaceuticals, equipping him to bridge market systems with sustainable development goals. A graduate in Economics from North South University (Bachelor) and the Norwegian School of Economics - NHH (Masters) with a specialization in natural resource management and environment, Ridwan’s work is rooted in a commitment to equity, ecological balance, and systemic change. His leadership continues to inspire transformative action across sectors, aligning economic degrowth with the urgent needs of people and the planet.

Kazi Toqi Yasir

Head - Leadership Team

Kazi Toqi Yasir

Head - Leadership Team

Kazi Toqi Yasir is the Head of the Leadership Team. He oversees daily operations, program planning, fundraising, and partnership development as well as guides the organizational strategy. Toqi’s journey with BYEI began as a fellow of the Earth Champions Program (2014). He volunteered in different capacities before serving as an Associate for 3 years, eventually moving into his current leadership role. Trained as a top-ranked Biotechnology graduate, Toqi shifted from science to climate action, bringing both technical knowledge and lived experience. He grew up in coastal Chattogram and is passionate about biodiversity and empowering youth-led climate leadership.

Aminul Islam

Communications Lead

Aminul Islam

Communications Lead

Aminul Islam is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing BYEI’s internal and external communications strategies. A former festival coordinator at an international film festival, he adeptly managed the tech department. With a diverse filmmaking background encompassing fiction, promotional, and documentary genres, Aminul has contributed significantly to audio-visual productions, particularly for development sector organizations. A Geography and Environment master’s graduate, Aminul is an environmental enthusiast and has a keen interest in permaculture, rainwater harvesting, and urban planning.

Halima Akter

Co-Lead, Programs and Operations

Halima Akter

Co-Lead, Programs and Operations

Halima Akter is the Programs and Operations Co-Lead at BYEI looking after the operations and programs. Additionally, she has been a mentor to the fellows of BYEI’s Earth Champions Program. As a speaker at different forums and conferences, Halima speaks on nurturing youth and their meaningful engagement in protecting our nature and the environment. In the past, she worked in different plastic recycling and tree plantation campaigns and volunteered for youth-led organizations. She is very eager to use her skills to raise public awareness regarding environmental pollution. Halima studies Botany and is a graduate of BYEI’s Earth Champions Program. She was selected by the U.S. Department of State as one of the student leaders for the Study of U.S. Institutes (SUSI) on Global Climate Change and the Environment. She likes to take solitary walks in her spare time, especially in the morning.

Fayaz Anam Shonon

Co-Lead, Programs and Operations

Fayaz Anam Shonon

Co-Lead, Programs and Operations

Fayaz Anam Shonon is the Co-Lead of Programs and Operations at BYEI. He is responsible for planning and implementing BYEI’s key programs. He has been working in the space of environmental and climate action for more than 4 years, with a special focus on environmental education, youth activism, and capacity building. Shonon holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Dhaka and has completed a leadership and cultural exchange program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with support from the U.S. Department of State. He is a music connoisseur who loves singing, playing the ukulele, and travelling.

Fahim Faysal

Partnership and Resource Mobilization Affiliate

Fahim Faysal

Partnership and Resource Mobilization Affiliate

Fahim Faysal is a BBA graduate of North South University. He was a member of the team that won in the 2023 USAID Climate Action Campaign for their project Kids for Nature (K4N), which aims to promote environmental stewardship among children. Fahim previously contributed to Kishor Alo, the leading juvenile magazine in Bangladesh. He is a research enthusiast and has served as a Research Associate in the Catalyzing Sustainable Transformation (CaST) Network. He is currently affiliated as a Research Assistant at both the Centre for Peace Studies (CPS) at the University of Tromsø, Norway, and North South University. Fahim is dedicated to environmental justice and aspires to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Fairuj Humayra Fabiha

Communications Affiliate

Fairuj Humayra Fabiha

Communications Affiliate

Fairuj Humayra Fabiha is a Peace and Conflict Studies graduate of the University of Dhaka. She was a member of the team that won in the 2023 USAID Climate Action Campaign for their project Kids for Nature (K4N), which aims to promote environmental stewardship among children. She also participated in the 2024 Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) exchange program. Fabiha advocates for environmental justice and stewardship, with strong research interests in environmental conflict, justice, and policy analysis. She wants to help build a sustainable future where people value nature, take responsibility for their actions, and move away from consumerist lifestyles to restore balance between humanity and the environment.

Tahmid Bin Zaman

Programs Affiliate

Tahmid Bin Zaman

Programs Affiliate

Tahmid Bin Zaman is currently an undergraduate student at the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability, University of Dhaka. He has served as a Leadership Team member at BYEI, supporting organizational activities and contributing to the planning of various programs and operations. He has also worked as a field research assistant at the Catalyzing Sustainable Transformation (CaST) Network. In addition, he is affiliated with a research project on the sustainability governance of Chinese infrastructure investments, conducted by the University of Bath, UK. Tahmid envisions himself supporting community-led efforts to rebuild a just and equitable society.

Farhana Rahman Nepa

Regional Affiliate

Farhana Rahman Nepa

Regional Affiliate

Farhana Rahman Nepa is an undergraduate student of Geology and Mining at the University of Barishal. She has been involved with BYEI since 2023 as a Leadership Team member. Previously, she worked to promote safe health practices among teenagers and women in her village. In 2022, she played a key role in establishing the “Earth Club” in her department, through which she continues to educate young people and implement environmental projects. In 2024, she participated in the Study of the U.S. Institute for Environment and Climate Change (SUSI) exchange program, hosted by the U.S. State Department. Farhana aspires to conduct research and develop strategies to protect groundwater resources and work on climate justice through the study of sedimentology and climate history. She is passionate about food and music, loves experimenting in the kitchen, and dreams of traveling the world one day.

Md Khalid Ahmed Sifullah Saad

Regional Affiliate

Md Khalid Ahmed Sifullah Saad

Regional Affiliate

Md Khalid Ahmed Sifullah Saad is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Social Science in Population Science at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University. He began his journey with BYEI as an Earth Champions Fellow in 2022. As part of the fellowship, he founded the Earth Club on his campus. Currently serving as the club’s President, he leads various environmental awareness campaigns and activities for school and university students. Khalid believes that through these small but meaningful efforts, his club can one day make a lasting impact.

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Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI), a nonprofit run by youth for youth, was set up to educate, empower and inspire the Bangladeshi youth to take action for a more just, equitable, sustainable, and prosperous Bangladesh.

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Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI) is a youth nonprofit organisation working to raise awareness about the ongoing ecological and climate crisis and inspire youth environmental actions to protect and improve the life-supporting nature and ecosystems.

Board of Trustees​

Executive Advisory Board​

Management Team​

Board of Trustees

Executive Advisory Board

Management Team