About Us
Global Team
Rawshan Ara is the founder of the Global Center for Innovation and Learning. She and her spouse Sakil Malik co-founded GCFIL in the mid-1990s in Bangladesh, with a modest proposal for Waste Management in Dhaka City. Rawshan has worked in the Child Welfare System in the USA with International Social Services. She is currently working with Howard County Public School System as an Elementary Teacher. Rawshan has a Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Dhaka University in Public Administration. She is also trained in Educational Technology.
Sakil Malik, a veteran of work in international development, is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Center for Innovation and Learning. He has served as Vice President of Global Development at World Learning Inc., and Director for the Reading within Reach (REACH) Project and Global Reading Network (GRN) funded by USAID recently. He has more than 20 years of experience in international project management, focused on literacy, social and human development and human rights. His portfolio at Creative Associates as the Senior Associate/Director was $100 million across five countries; Tanzania, Timor Leste, Cambodia, India and Tajikistan. Before arriving at Creative, he was the Director of Global Operations at the International Reading Association (now ILA) in Washington, DC, where he led program management of literacy projects and provided strategic leadership and direction to the Executive Team. He has successfully won and administered funding from government and corporate funders, including USAID, UNESCO, Pearson Foundation and Nokia Corporation. He has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Maryland, USA, a Master’s Degree in Economics from Aligarh University in India, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Dhaka University in Bangladesh. He is a certified project manager with CIPM, CMMP and MPM certification.
Mary Ciambrone is our Advisor for Professional Development, bringing over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, design and execution of professional development training programs. Recognized for leading process improvement and business change initiatives, Mary specializes in providing leadership in strategic planning, aligning training programs with strategic goals, and measurement and evaluation of training outcomes. Mary has worked with USAID project implementers and local affiliates in the United States, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Oceania, delivering high-quality training geared towards the unique needs of local populations. She has led numerous professional development programs both domestically and internationally, online and in-person, to audiences ranging from 30 to 22,000. Mary was also director of Professional Development and Conferences at the International Reading Association (now ILA).
LEARNING TO HELP ALL CHILDREN READ: Promoting Literacy for Learners with Disabilities (USAID Toolkit) and Using Information Communications Technologies (ICT) to Implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – USAID.
Saherah Luhnat Noor is the youngest member of GCFIL USA, based in Bangladesh. She serves as the organization’s Communication Manager, Creative Manager, and Webmaster, playing a pivotal role in shaping GCFIL’s digital presence and strategic communications.
With over six years of professional experience, Saherah is a skilled graphic designer, content researcher, and project manager, with proven expertise in content development, instructional communication, brand design, digital publishing and structured project coordination. She also demonstrates her passion for research-driven storytelling and public education via various video contents. Her work reflects a strong understanding of visual storytelling and results-driven execution within professional and educational environments.
Saherah is also an active member of Toastmasters International, where she continues to develop and practice public speaking, leadership and communication excellence.
Outside her professional responsibilities, she is an avid reader with a strong inclination toward continuous learning and reflective thinking. She has a personal blog called Econoheart and also runs an indie channel called The Relaxing Owl, a creative space dedicated to soothing and focus-driven music.
Wasima was born in Afghanistan and now she is a proud Afghan American. Ms. Asadi is working with the CEO as Program Assistant for all global programs. She has an Associate degree in English literature from PGCC in Maryland, studying general IT at PGCC. She is pursuing her Bachelor Degree at PGCC at present.
Nawshin is an experienced and published researcher in the field of social sciences and economics. She has obtained two Master’s degrees in Research Methodologies and Quantitative Methods and Economics from University of California, Los Angeles and University of Dhaka, respectively. She has a demonstrated history of working in the think-tank industry in South Asia and has worked on multiple projects in collaboration with international organizations such as the World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations. She is skilled in statistical data analysis, data management and academic writing. Her research interests include public policymaking, education development, and sustainability analysis. Apart from research, she is also skilled at project management and has organized and participated in multiple press briefings, media briefings and national budget analyses.
Canada
Jasmine Sethi is a social researcher and grant writer based in Toronto, Canada. She serves as a social researcher at Progressive Animal Welfare Services and as executive director at Vastiva, a research and innovation network. She holds an Honours Bachelor degree in Management from York University, and holds a certificate in Marketing Non-profit organizations from the University of Waterloo. She has completed her post-graduation in Nonprofit and Voluntary Management from Toronto Metropolitan University. Jasmine also earned a Master’s certificate in International Grant and Proposal Writing from the Global Center for Innovation and Learning. She has co-authored the book, Experimental Plain English, which focuses on accessibility and a human-centered approach in e-learning, integrating cultural awareness. Additionally, she is currently enrolled in a part-time executive leadership program series at St. Lawrence College. With a strong focus on innovation and inclusive strategy, Jasmine is dedicated to driving social impact through research-driven humanitarian initiatives and e-solutions. Her expertise includes nonprofit management, community engagement, and international grant writing. Jasmine is passionate about crafting narratives that inspires meaningful and transformative change.
Central Asia and Eurasia
Gulsanam Karimova – psychologist by education and expert, consultant, trainer by nature. Her clients include MOPE staff (Ministry of public education), TTI (Teachers’ training institutes), School administrators and teachers, Leaders, Librarians, Psychologists. Gulsanam Karimova has more than 20 years of experience in teaching and training, and more than 10 years of experience in international project management. She managed a number of international educational projects: RWCT (OSI), ITLM (AED USAID), ICT in schools (ADB), Development of Rural areas (ADB), School quality and management (GIZ), Improving Pre-Primary and General Secondary Education (World Bank). Gulsanam earned an MA in philology (Russian and English languages), psychology and HR and she is a certified trainer and certifier of RWCT (reading and writing for critical thinking), ITLM (interactive teaching-learning methods), Instructional design and Mentoring programs.
Aliya Bizhanova, PhD is GCFIL’s Senior Advisor for Central Asia. Her research interests are international and comparative education policies, teacher labor markets, and global partnerships. Her dissertation focuses on how international testing like PISA influences education policy formation and schools in Kazakhstan.
Prior to joining MSU, Aliya worked at the World Bank country office in Kazakhstan, consulted the OECD for the Kazakhstan Skills Strategy project and the UNICEF for the State Education Development Program evaluation. Aliya has over 15 years of experience in international development and policy evaluation. She has a master’s degree in international education policy and management from Vanderbilt University through E. Muskie Fellowship and diploma of higher education from Samara State University, Russia. She worked at Chemonics International and Academy for Educational Development (FHI360) in Washington, DC.
She co-hosts an educational Podcast “Effect” and publishes for Forbes.kz.
Zeinegul Kopbayeva has more than 30 years of experience in the field of education, including over 27 years of work in the implementation and nationwide rollout of the RWCT (Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking) program in Kazakhstan, with a strong focus on professional development.
She holds a Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences degree and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology at the Central Kazakhstan Academy. She also serves as Chair of the Eurasian Committee of the International Literacy Association, whose member countries include Georgia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
For more than 25 years, she has conducted professional development seminars and training programs for teachers across the country. She has organized and led over 20 national conferences in various cities of Kazakhstan, engaging education center staff, teacher professional development institutes, school administrators, principals, and teachers. She previously worked as a methodologist at a гимназия (gymnasium/secondary school).
For more than 15 years, she served as Director of the public association “RKM” in the city of Karaganda. She has also served as Chair of the Board, held the position of Executive Director, and later became President of the Kazakhstan Reading Association. She earned her Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences degree from Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University in Almaty.
She is one of the principal authors and the editor of the journal Voice and Vision. She translated an RWCT instructional manual for Kazakh-speaking audiences and organized numerous reading promotion days for students.
She is the author of more than 40 articles and books.
She has participated in the World Conference (Toronto, Canada, 2005), the 16th European Conference (Braga, Portugal, 2009), and the World Convention (Chicago, USA, 2012).
She has been a certified international RWCT trainer and project certifier since 1998.
Nazerke Assan is a Research and Development Associate for Central Asia for GCFIL and education professional with over six years of experience in English language teaching, curriculum adaptation, and learner-centered instruction. She has worked with diverse age groups, specializing in IELTS preparation, instructional design, and evidence-informed teaching practices. Her international experience includes professional interpretation and academic collaboration with institutions such as Michigan State University, Johns Hopkins University, and Universiti Kuala Lumpur, supporting cross-cultural research and project implementation. Nazerke holds a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages from Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University and is a U.S. Department of State FLEX Program alumna. Fluent in English, Russian, and Kazakh, with additional proficiency in Turkish, she is keenly interested in educational research, curriculum innovation, and global learning initiatives.
Latin America and Caribbean
Adelina Arellano Osuna is Distinguished full Professor at the University of The Andes where she was founding Director of the (CILE) Center for Research in Foreign languages Literacy / multilingual/ bilingual and director of graduate studies. She is author/editor of different publications on literacy, biliteracy education., including predictable early literacy books. Her research emphasizes the connections between reading and writing from a psycholinguistic approach. Including bilingual Biliteracy education. Sociopsycholinguistic literacy in the disciplines, and improvement of reading achievement. She has delivered workshops and seminars via distance and permanent education working as visiting professor in universities of 24 Latin America countries including. Spain, Puerto Rico and U.S.A. She has been keynote speaker in many international events , global Conferences on literacy and bilingual bicultural education. Dr. Arellano Osuna is past Board Member of the International Literacy Association. (ILA).
Sarah Kistner is pursuing a master’s degree in international education policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. She graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and minors in Spanish and international development. She has more than five years of experience working in the fields of international development and education, and she has a wide range of foreign and domestic experience. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in a service-learning project in the Dominican Republic, which gave her the inspiration to join the United States Peace Corps upon graduating and begin her career in international education. After volunteering as a Teaching English as a Foreign Langauge Teacher Trainer in Colombia’s Andean region for a year, she came home and continued to pursue her passion for language learning and exchange. She spent a year instructing bilingual kindergarten in Austin, Texas, before returning to Colombia to lead English teachers at a for-profit English institute. Her desire to fight for justice through education has been motivated by her students in Latin America and the United States, who have inspired her to pursue her master’s degree. She is eager to discover how education may be used to tackle world problems and promote peace.
Middle East and North Africa
Samia Elbassiouny is an Associate Professor specialized in Arabic language and Islam curricula and methods of teaching with over 25 years of eclectic experience that includes teaching, curricula development, supervising graduate students’ dissertations, developing and conducting workshops and training programs, preparing grants proposals, and project management consultation. Dr. Elbassiouny has taught in Universities and institutes, and managed various projects in both the Middle East and North America. Her research interests relate to Reading and Literacy, Teachers of Adults, Training Teachers programs, and Teaching Arabic Language for Non-speakers.
Bangladesh
Md. Shahidul Islam, B.A. (Hon’s), M.A (Geography & Environmental Science) has 32 years working experiences in the development sector that includes 25 years in managerial positions with two reputed lead national NGO, namely BRAC, Dhaka Ahsania Mission. He had leaded Education Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), Bangladesh from September 1994 to October 2021 as Deputy Director (Head of Education, TVET) and Joint Director (Chief of Education, TVET). He is the innovator of DAM Ganokendra (People’s Organization), community led sustainable model of NFE. He also a core innovator of Multi-Grade Teaching Learning Approach (MGTL) for OOSC. This MGTL model has been accepted by Bangladesh Government for the education of OoSC.
S M Sadeq is a professional media and social activist with a proven track record of mass communication, public relations, youth leadership and dedication to multidisciplinary activities across Bangladesh. Predominantly, He has been carrying more than 9 years of experience in mass media and communication. He has been working on co-curricular activities since starting his university. From the beginning, he worked for several student organizations. In 2018, he was recognized as a Global Youth Ambassador of Youth Leadership award by GCFIL, USA in 2018 for his extraordinary contribution to excel research and innovation within the student community in Bangladesh. He has established the concept of `Research Society’ in Bangladesh for inspiring young researchers. He is currently leading the expansion of this organization among all public universities in Bangladesh. Specifically, Sadeq is proficient in human resource management aspects, knowledge of mass media, communication and journalism, efficient in public relations, leadership and capable of working under pressure independently with minimum supervision.
Radia Tamim is an accomplished expert in socio-economic development, with a strong focus on prenatal education and environment economics. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, she has extensive experience in research and project management, emphasizing socio-economic dynamics, environmental sustainability, and health-related development. With advanced degrees in Environmental and Health Economics from the University of Dhaka, Radia is a skilled leader and researcher. Her work includes advising roles at the Global Center for Innovation and Learning(GCFIL), where she has been a key figure since 2023, as well as serving as the Executive Director of Innovation Influence Impact Ltd. since 2013.Radia has played a significant role in developing Climate Club which is a flagship programme of GCFIL,Bangladesh. Radia’s contributions extend internationally, including active participation in workshops on prenatal education and climate change. Radia participated in a month- long Prenatal Education workshop organised by I.D.E.A.L Society Canada. Her publications cover issues such as climate change vulnerabilities, maternal health, and women’s poverty, reflecting her commitment to improving socio-economic outcomes. Radia’s Bangla book on prenatal education and Titlir Notun Shathi has been widely acclaimed by stakeholder,
Md. Ferdous is a seasoned Public Health Expert with extensive experience in Project Management, boasting over 18 years of comprehensive experience in the development sector, specializing in high-impact maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) and nutrition interventions.
In his recent role, he has functioned as a Consultant for The World Bank for six years, providing strategic technical and management oversight to bolster national health initiatives. His work included enhancing Health Information Systems (HIS) through data analysis for decision-making; supporting Strategic Planning and Governance by translating data into actionable policy recommendations; improving Quality of Care in Service Delivery via technical support and rigorous assessments; and building Health Workforce Capacity through training content development.
Ferdous’s foundation is built on practical managerial experience, including leadership roles as Programme Coordinator and District Coordinator at Partners in Health and Development (PHD). He holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Nutrition, underpinning his field experience with specialized academic knowledge. A key strength is his profound ability to build and maintain strong community support systems and mobilization efforts, coupled with excellent stakeholder management. His core competencies include participatory program planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring the effective and high-quality delivery of public health services.
Pakistan and Afghanistan
Daman A. Bozdar is an FSI-certified program manager and an accomplished international education reform leader, learning assessment expert, researcher, and educator, bringing 20+ years of expertise to global initiatives. His work centers on leading large-scale Higher and Basic education programs, aiming at system transformation. He has a proven record of success in designing and managing complex educational initiatives, with a deep understanding of innovative finance and public finance management applied to the sector. He is a collaborative leader with a demonstrated capacity to build, mentor, and effectively lead high-performing cross-functional teams. He excels at forging consensus and durable partnerships across government, donor agencies, and the private sector.
Dr Umrani is an Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics/TESOL at Institute of English Language & Literature, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Pakistan. She has recently completed her postdoctoral research fellowship at the College of Education, Michigan State University, United States of America. During her stay at MSU, she also worked as Professional Aid in the Office of International Studies in Education. She has MSc in English Language and PhD in Education from University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Her research and teaching interests include, Second Language Education and Identity, Intercultural Communication, Critical Pedagogy, and Language Teacher Education. In addition, she is engaged as a master trainer for tertiary and secondary English language teachers for over 10 years. She is a CELTA Cambridge qualified English language teacher/trainer and has recently completed eight-month English Language Master Trainer course from the University of Oregon, USA. She is also a SUSI Educator (2021) alumna.