As a teenager in Bangladesh, I dreamt of doing something adventurous and different. My father believed in my dream and was very supportive. So, after high school, at the age of 17, I flew on my own to the UK to study AAT and the ACCA Qualification.
It was the best decision I have ever made, giving me access to a world full of opportunity. After finishing AAT, I got a job at a youth leadership organisation as finance administrator. In many ways, that job shaped my career. I always wanted to work with a purpose, to help communities, and this passion was reinforced by starting my career in a not-for-profit.
I have been with such organisations for over 14 years. I would encourage others to work in this sector as it’s exciting and challenging.
Financial reward was never the motivator for me and I decided to do my internship for a charity. This was a conscious decision as, coming from a developing country, I always wanted to be part of something that brings change to people’s lives. My career so far has spanned roles with organisations including Save the Children, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b).
My role as senior manager, budget and planning, at icddr,b was intense, but it allowed me to be involved in budgets that work with human rights and poverty reduction. Seeing how aid supports people in need made me more passionate and motivated to work in this sector.
Every country should give women the power of professional and technical education, so they are free from the chain of dependency
Working at London Zoo is amazing. ZSL works with wildlife and conservation, and this is something that I have not had in my profile before. So, when I had the opportunity, I grabbed it. I like the environment and how gently the animals are looked after. Staff worked tirelessly during the lockdown, while support services like finance have been working remotely.
Every country should have a strong mandate for educating women. This should not be limited to just primary education or literacy, but give them the power of professional and technical education, so they are free from the chain of dependency. Had it not been for higher education, I would not have travelled to a foreign land to explore and learn.
I am a strong advocate for women in leadership. I believe we are already empowered by our virtue, but we need society to accept this and help us with the tool of education.
I have been part of several multimillion-dollar projects for girls’ education, refugee crisis and disaster management programmes. My biggest achievement has been managing these budgets so all the aid money has been utilised for the people who actually need it.
If I weren’t an accountant, I would be a humanitarian aid worker. As a child, I witnessed a deadly cyclone hit the coastal area in Bangladesh, and I saw people suffering. I can still remember having the relief food and medicine so have seen the value of aid for myself.
In my spare time, I enjoy painting and artwork. I’ve taken part in exhibitions, too. It helps me to de-stress from the pressures of everyday work.
