With effect from August 1, 2021, Shameran Abed has been named the next Executive Director of BRAC International (BI), one of the world’s premier development organizations.
Shameran will manage and guide BI’s strategies, programs, and organizational development for scaled impact and long-term growth as Executive Director, contributing to BRAC’s Global Strategy to reach 250 million disadvantaged women (and their dependents), youth, and people living in poverty by 2030. He will also oversee the Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative and continue to lead BI’s microfinance operations (UPGI).
“The Board of BRAC International is confident that Shameran is the right person to steer BI at this time, driving innovation and positive transformation while ensuring continuity. We believe Shameran’s extensive experience at BRAC and his strong strategic and collaborative skills will help us to further align our goals and objectives to achieve the vision of our late founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, to make BRAC a global force for poverty eradication and empowerment of the poor,” Stichting BRAC International’s Chair of the Supervisory Board, Irene Khan, stated.
Shameran joined BRAC Bangladesh in 2009 and BRAC International in 2012, and has played a key role in scaling out BRAC’s flagship microfinance and ultra-poor graduation programs around the world. BI’s microfinance portfolio has grown significantly under his supervision, with a renewed focus on client impact. Shameran has also overseen BRAC’s ultra-poor graduation work since 2016 and was a key figure in the formation of the UPGI, which focuses on worldwide advocacy and technical assistance to governments and other organizations.
Shameran has also served on the boards of various non-profit and corporate organizations, including the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), BRAC Bank, and bKash.
“As we confront unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic, we are reminded once again of the urgent need to build resilience and create sustainable pathways out of poverty for the world’s most marginalised,” commented Shameran. “BRAC holds a truly unique position, as an organisation from and for the Global South, to continue to demonstrate the same commitment and tenacity in designing and delivering practical, scalable, community-led solutions as we have done for almost 50 years. I am honoured and excited to have the opportunity to lead BRAC International at this critical juncture, working alongside thousands of fearless co-workers and with millions of programme participants, whose courage and enterprise inspire us every day to accelerate and further amplify our impact.”
Shameran is a certified Barrister in the United Kingdom and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Hamilton College in the United States.
Dr Muhammad Musa, the present Executive Director of BI, will leave down on July 31. Shameran will follow him.
