Executive Council 2025-2026
Mr. Sharif Zahir is a highly accomplished diversified entrepreneur, known for his exceptional leadership skills and has been recognized as a Commercially Important Person (CIP) for eight times. His contributions to the textile and garment industry have resulted in attracting business and boosting the economy of the country. He comes from a distinguished family lineage, which from an early age instilled values of hard work, ethics and dedication inside him. Sharif Zahir is boldly leading and has emerged as a driving force behind the success of Ananta Group. Mr. Zahir, an esteemed alumnus of St. Francis Xavier’s Green Herald International School, one of the most reputed schools of the country, established in 1912 by the RNDM Sisters. He completed GCE A level from Scholastica, Dhaka and furthered his education by earning a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Texas at Austin in the USA.
After he assumed the role of Managing Director at Ananta Group, his visionary leadership paved the path towards diversification with remarkable growth. The group achieved an annual turnover of USD 360 million and employed over 30,000 people. The conglomerate includes, RMG, Banking, Finance, Asset Management, Energy Resources, e-Commerce, Real Estate and Hospitality.
His desire to promote sustainable living in Bangladesh. Inspired him to develop Ananta Terraces, the first Residential LEED Platinum certified prestigious gated community and JW Marriott, a mixed-use property in 100 feet, Madani Avenue, Dhaka.
Apart from Ananta Group, his exemplary leadership and exceptional entrepreneurship skills are highly appreciated by the business community of Bangladesh.
Notably, he has signed with the Bangladesh Export Zone Association (BEZA) to secure 250 acres of land within the Mirsarai Economic Zone. His unwavering commitment to his country and dedication to its development align with the vision of our esteemed Prime Minister in realizing a Smart Bangladesh.
Ms. Nishat Nahrin Hamid is an alumna of the State University of New York (SUNY Buffalo), holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, and an MBA. With 18 years of diverse professional experience, she has excelled in sectors such as business development, consultancy, banking, telecommunications and education. Her career includes key roles at renowned organizations such as Deloitte & Touche in New York, Citibank in Dhaka and Dubai, and International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, before transitioning to her family business in the textile and apparel sector.
Currently, she is a Board Member and Director of Shasha Garments and EOS Textile Mills, demonstrating her continued leadership and expertise in the industry. In addition, she also serves on the board of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) in Bangladesh, a global entrepreneurial networking platform. As an active member of the Standing Committee on Circularity at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), she champions sustainability and decarbonization. Beyond her professional commitments, she is also deeply committed to promoting women empowerment and advancing STEM education in Bangladesh.
Ms. Labiba Anika Wahab is a Massachusetts Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She graduated from Northeastern University’s MS Accounting/MBA program in 2018. She worked in Boston, MA, for a few years, including at Deloitte, before returning to Bangladesh in 2021 to work at her family’s professional services firm, A. Wahab & Co. She is passionate about creating jobs and training Bangladeshi youth to become competitive assets in an increasingly digitized global economy.
Mr. Syed Ishtiaq Alam is a Director and Board Member at Ananta Group, a leading global apparel manufacturing business, where he has contributed to its growth since 2007. With 23 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has held leadership roles in Information Technology (Silicon Valley), Management Consulting (Wall Street), and Manufacturing sectors.
Syed Ishtiaq Alam holds a BA (with Distinction) in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Pennsylvania (1999) and an MS in Computer & Information Science (2000). Prior to joining Ananta Group, he worked at Sun Microsystems and Deloitte Consulting in the US. Syed Ishtiaq Alam is also a co-chair of the UPenn Alumni Interviewing Committee in Bangladesh and has been conducting interviews since 2001. He is actively involved in corporate social responsibility, mentorship, and community outreach programs.
Mr. Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed has been a Life Member since 1998 and served as an elected Councilor (Treasurer) during 2008-10 and 2021-23. A seasoned Human Resources professional, he has held senior positions at multinational and national companies, including British American Tobacco, Unilever, Sanofi, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, DBL Group, Anwar Group, and KAFCO.
Currently, he is the CEO of the American Bangladesh Center for Development Excellence (ABCDE). In 2016, he was awarded a patent by the Government of Bangladesh for his HR innovation, R3 (Rakib's Recruitment Rule). Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed holds a Business Administration degree with Honors in Human Resources from the University of Kentucky (1990) and an MBA in Marketing (1992). He also served as a faculty member at the Kentucky College of Business (1990-94) and worked with PepsiCo International.
Mr. Mirza Shajib Raihan is the Country Leader at BD (Becton Dickinson)-Bangladesh, a leading Health Care MNC of USA. He is also Executive Committee member of AMCHAM Bangladesh and AAA Bangladesh. He has 19 years Healthcare industry experience in several MNC like Linde, GE Healthcare etc.
A healthcare diagnostics and consumables sales professional with proven ability in product and team management to increase market share, outperform competition, and increase profits. Strategic planner, skilled at both short- and long-range goal setting. He has a solid understanding of procurement and sales techniques, strategies for building a strong client base, and systems that facilitate consistent follow-up and foster customer satisfaction. Experience includes diverse managerial skills in distribution, planning, and organizing. Reorganize different distribution houses to increase sales. Formulate marketing strategies to promote products.
He is Gold medalist from National University of Bangladesh with distinction in his Master’s degree and also holds MBA in Marketing from NSU (North South University).