(featuring Ivy Huq Russell, Shammi Quddus, and Sonia Bashir Kabir)

In our first blog, we shared the inspiring stories of Rubaba Dowla, Samira Zuberi Himika, and Maliha M Quadir —women who are reshaping Bangladesh’s tech and innovation landscape. Their journeys of breaking barriers and driving impactful change resonated deeply. In this second part, we continue to celebrate the incredible achievements of Bangladeshi women making waves in technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact. This time, we spotlight Ivy Huq Russell, Shammi Quddus, and Sonia Bashir Kabir —three visionary leaders whose work is not only transforming industries but also uplifting communities. Join us as we explore their journeys and the unique ways, they’re fueling progress and inspiring the next generation.

Ivy Huq Russell: Revolutionizing Health Tech and Empowering Women

Ivy Huq Russell is a pioneer in Bangladesh’s health tech landscape and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As the founder and former CEO of Maya, Ivy’s vision was born out of a deeply personal experience—navigating the challenges of motherhood in a society where access to information and healthcare for women is often hindered by geographic, financial, and socio-cultural barriers.

Building Maya: A Platform for Trust and Access 

Founded in 2011 as a blog for mothers in Bangladesh, Maya transformed into an innovative digital platform after partnering with BRAC in 2015. Today, it serves as a confidential and intuitive messaging service connecting users with qualified experts on health and mental well-being. Maya’s success is exemplified by its impact—over 6 million consultations provided, with one occurring every 14 seconds.

The platform has grown to include mobile apps, web services, and even messenger integrations, all with the aim of making healthcare accessible and personalized. Ivy’s leadership paved the way for Maya’s expansion, fostering trust among users who felt they could share their most personal concerns without fear of judgment.

Inspiring and Being Inspired

Ivy’s journey has been fueled by inspiring individuals, particularly women who have supported her dream. She credits Sonia Bashir Kabir, founder of SBK Tech Ventures, as one of her key motivators. Sonia’s $50,000 investment during a critical time enabled Maya to grow, and Ivy aspires to offer the same mentorship and support to other women entrepreneurs.

Her dedication extends beyond her professional accomplishments; she is also a devoted mother and wife, balancing family life with her mission to empower others.

Key Takeaways from Ivy’s Journey:

• Empowering Women Through Technology: Ivy’s vision for Maya bridged the gap in women’s healthcare, providing a safe and trusted platform for millions.
• Resilience in Adversity: Ivy’s determination to overcome societal and systemic barriers has been a cornerstone of her success.
• Mentorship and Giving Back: Inspired by those who supported her, Ivy is now investing in startups and mentoring entrepreneurs to scale their dreams.

Sonia Bashir Kabir: Driving Bangladesh’s Tech Revolution

Sonia Bashir Kabir, a tech entrepreneur and visionary leader, has made it her mission to empower underserved communities and redefine the tech landscape in Bangladesh. After a transformative career at Microsoft, Sonia shifted her focus to tackling connectivity challenges for the 50% of the global population that remains offline, with a special emphasis on her home country, Bangladesh.

Tech Hubs: Bridging the Digital Divide

Sonia Bashir Kabir conceptualized Tech Hubs during her time at Microsoft and brought the idea to life through SBK Foundation, an initiative designed to empower rural communities with technology. In partnership with Young Bangla, Sonia has established Tech Hubs in all 64 districts of Bangladesh, providing rural residents with access to essential technology resources and fostering digital literacy.

A Tech Hub is a physical space equipped with basic tech tools, offering “assisted technology” facilitated by local youth leaders. These hubs provide access to essential services like online medical consultations, legal assistance, e-learning, and online shopping. Looking ahead, Sonia envisions a future with 100,000 Tech Hubs, ensuring that every village in Bangladesh can benefit from technology.

Championing Start-ups and Entrepreneurship

As one of Bangladesh’s most sought-after angel investors, Sonia brings unparalleled expertise and deep knowledge of the start-up ecosystem. She is a passionate advocate for sustainable growth and a fierce proponent of ensuring start-ups focus on clear monetization strategies.

Her advice to entrepreneurs reflects her result-driven philosophy:

• “Be the shark, not the dolphin – silent yet fierce. Visibility is for entertainers, not performers.”
• “Learn as much as you can, push the limits, and ensure your math and monetization strategies are sound.”

A Deep Commitment to Youth and Rural Development

Sonia’s enduring passion lies in working with Bangladesh’s youth to drive digital development in rural areas, bridging the gap between urban and rural access to technology. Her work through Tech Hubs and SBK Foundation exemplifies this commitment, making her a transformative figure in Bangladesh’s journey toward a digital future.

Her message captures the essence of her mission: “Bangladesh’s youth and population are its greatest assets. Together, we can unlock their potential and shape a digitally inclusive future.”

Shammi Quddus: A Visionary Bridging Technology and Leadership

Shammi Quddus is a Bangladeshi trailblazer in the tech world, combining expertise in engineering, policy, and innovation. As a Product Manager at Google and a co-founder of the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), Shammi exemplifies the power of education, resilience, and visionary leadership. Her journey spans continents and disciplines, rooted in a deep passion for empowering others and driving impactful change.

From Chattogram to Global Impact

Born and raised in Chattogram, Shammi grew up in an academic household, with her parents—both professors at Chittagong University—nurturing her intellectual curiosity and self-confidence. Supported by her family, Shammi pursued her education in the United States, earning a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she majored in Environmental Engineering.

Her time at MIT laid the foundation for her multifaceted career. While excelling in academics, she co-founded BYLC during her sophomore year with a grant from MIT. BYLC is now Bangladesh’s premier youth leadership institute, empowering young people to embrace ethical leadership and community impact.

A Multifaceted Career: Engineering, Policy, and Tech

Shammi began her professional journey at AECOM, a global infrastructure firm, before returning to Bangladesh to work on grassroots solutions in water access and telemedicine. Inspired by her experiences, she pursued dual graduate degrees—an MBA from Stanford and an MPAID from the Harvard Kennedy School—to deepen her understanding of leadership and policy.

Today, as a Product Manager at Google, Shammi leads the Payments Platform team, shaping how billions of users interact with Google’s monetization ecosystem. Her role exemplifies her ability to navigate complex challenges, build scalable solutions, and foster innovation at a global scale.

Martial Arts: Building Strength and Confidence

Shammi is also a two-time black belt holder in karate and taekwondo, with national and collegiate-level competition experience. Martial arts taught her discipline, resilience, and self-confidence, which she credits for shaping her leadership style. Despite sustaining injuries, she remains committed to the sport and hopes to coach her children in martial arts someday.

Advocating for Bangladesh’s Tech Ecosystem

A strong advocate for the Bangladeshi tech ecosystem, Shammi envisions a future where the country becomes a global leader in innovation. She highlights the need for systemic changes to support women in leadership roles, from founders to investors. Shammi is particularly inspired by the success of startups like bKash and Pathao and believes in fostering a collaborative environment where technology serves as a catalyst for social and economic development.

Family and Work-Life Balance

As a wife and mother of two, Shammi champions the importance of equal partnership at home to balance the demands of work and family life. Married to Ejaj Ahmad, the founder of BYLC, she finds inspiration in their shared commitment to creating lasting change.

Lessons from Shammi’s Journey:

• Resilience and Ambition: Shammi’s journey from Chattogram to Google showcases the power of ambition and perseverance.
• Empowering Youth: Through BYLC, she has impacted countless young lives, instilling ethical leadership values.
• Balancing Innovation and Ethics: Her dual training from Stanford and Harvard uniquely positions her to bridge technology and social justice.
• Role Model for Women in Tech: Shammi’s success highlights the importance of representation and mentorship in breaking barriers.

Inspired to drive change in the field of Tech? Come with us as we continue to explore the journey to successful expeditions led by WOMEN in all fields!

Written by – Sabia Khan Aurora