| THE BEGINNING
Named after late Prof. Dr. Shirin A. Chowdhury, a nationally renowned eminent business professor, 3 times cancer survivor and social activist and her daughter late Sajmila Jishmam Uzma, a cultural ambassador who represented Bangladesh in international platforms. We have grown into a thriving social enterprise, serving thousands of individuals each year. Our social work adopts an interdisciplinary approach and includes supporting minority rights and healthcare and educational mechanisms
GLOBAL Executive team
At the heart of SSIF’s global mission is a distinguished constellation of thought leaders — frontline military commanders, Harvard-trained chaplains, pioneering blockchain technologists, Ivy League researchers, and veteran humanitarian strategists. This high-impact, cross-disciplinary taskforce provides more than counsel; they actively shape SSIF’s vision for equity, resilience, and systemic justice across borders. Their collective expertise ensures that every intervention is not only grounded in rigorous insight but built for lasting global impact.
Founder and Executive Director
Ahmed Sajidan Rafsan
Visionary humanitarian and social innovator leading with global recognition for systemic reform and crisis leadership
Chairperson, Board of Directors
External Strategy & Environmental Resilience Advisor
Dr. Michael Loon
Former Professor & Leading sustainability strategist awith 50+ years of global policy advising experience; shaping climate-resilient development and philanthropic governance across continents.
Director of Interfaith Engagement & Cultural Inclusion
Aliya Vajid
A renowned interfaith scholar and counselor, Harvard Divinity alum bridging theology and humanitarian practice to advance pluralism and gender equity in conflict zones.
Director of Operation Management
Prof. Dr. Abu Mohammed Atiqur Rahman
Dean, University of Chittagong and Distinguished academic with 3 decades of expertise in institutional reform, operational resilience, and educational governance.
Director of Philanthropy &
Human Resource Management
Dr. Tayyab Sikdar
IOne of South Asia’s well respected physician and philanthropist with 5 decades of experience of driving high-impact donor partnerships and workforce transformation across SSIF’s global programs.
Director of Tactical Engineering & Community Engagement
Captain Ahmed Safwan Jasir
Frontline military strategist and civil engineer spearheading crisis logistics, rural infrastructure, and youth mobilization in post-disaster Bangladesh.
Director of Adolescent Health
& Behavioral Policy
Wes Rosenberg
zPolitical scientist from Minnesota specializing in health equity and psychosocial care, leading SSIF’s initiative to create safe, recovery-centered spaces for youth affected by violence or trauma.
Director of Education & Refugee Support Programs
Prof. Dr. Afzal Hosen
Veteran psychologist and leading academic at the University of Chittagong pioneering trauma rehabilitation and mental health education for displaced communities.
Director of Volunteer Services
Dr. Adham
Dr Hosen is an important figure in the field of psychology in Bangladesh with more than 20 years of experience, serving as a Professor of Psychology, University of Chittagong. Dr. Hosen is renowned for his significant research, particularly his study on "Effect of Hospital Based Psycho-education on Mental Health among Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease," which has contributed valuable insights into the psychological impacts of caregiving.
As a pioneer in mental health awareness, a topic often considered taboo in Bangladesh, Dr. Hosen is committed to changing perceptions and fostering a more open dialogue about mental well-being. He offers both basic and advanced counseling services, extending his expertise to those in need and promoting a broader understanding of mental health care.
Director of Strategic Planning
Abdullah Ansar
Dr Hosen is an important figure in the field of psychology in Bangladesh with more than 20 years of experience, serving as a Professor of Psychology, University of Chittagong. Dr. Hosen is renowned for his significant research, particularly his study on "Effect of Hospital Based Psycho-education on Mental Health among Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease," which has contributed valuable insights into the psychological impacts of caregiving.
As a pioneer in mental health awareness, a topic often considered taboo in Bangladesh, Dr. Hosen is committed to changing perceptions and fostering a more open dialogue about mental well-being. He offers both basic and advanced counseling services, extending his expertise to those in need and promoting a broader understanding of mental health care.
Director of Youth Development and Community Outreach
Ahsanul Arefin
Dr Hosen is an important figure in the field of psychology in Bangladesh with more than 20 years of experience, serving as a Professor of Psychology, University of Chittagong. Dr. Hosen is renowned for his significant research, particularly his study on "Effect of Hospital Based Psycho-education on Mental Health among Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease," which has contributed valuable insights into the psychological impacts of caregiving.
As a pioneer in mental health awareness, a topic often considered taboo in Bangladesh, Dr. Hosen is committed to changing perceptions and fostering a more open dialogue about mental well-being. He offers both basic and advanced counseling services, extending his expertise to those in need and promoting a broader understanding of mental health care.
Director of Logistics
Hasina Islam Molly
Dr Hosen is an important figure in the field of psychology in Bangladesh with more than 20 years of experience, serving as a Professor of Psychology, University of Chittagong. Dr. Hosen is renowned for his significant research, particularly his study on "Effect of Hospital Based Psycho-education on Mental Health among Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease," which has contributed valuable insights into the psychological impacts of caregiving.
As a pioneer in mental health awareness, a topic often considered taboo in Bangladesh, Dr. Hosen is committed to changing perceptions and fostering a more open dialogue about mental well-being. He offers both basic and advanced counseling services, extending his expertise to those in need and promoting a broader understanding of mental health care.
Director of Compliance and Ethics
Mahua Dastidar
Dr Hosen is an important figure in the field of psychology in Bangladesh with more than 20 years of experience, serving as a Professor of Psychology, University of Chittagong. Dr. Hosen is renowned for his significant research, particularly his study on "Effect of Hospital Based Psycho-education on Mental Health among Caregivers of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease," which has contributed valuable insights into the psychological impacts of caregiving.
As a pioneer in mental health awareness, a topic often considered taboo in Bangladesh, Dr. Hosen is committed to changing perceptions and fostering a more open dialogue about mental well-being. He offers both basic and advanced counseling services, extending his expertise to those in need and promoting a broader understanding of mental health care.