The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) hosted the Women in Leadership & Governance Conference 2026 at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, bringing together policymakers, corporate leaders, regulators, development partners, and representatives from professional bodies to advance dialogue on leadership, governance, and board diversity, the institute said in a press release. The conference was organised by ICAB’s Gender Inclusion and Leadership Committee (GILC) and coincided with efforts to promote gender-inclusive leadership across professions.
The event was inaugurated by Abdul Moyeen Khan, MP, as Chief Guest, with Ms Rasheda K Chowdhury, former Adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, and Barrister Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, MP, as Guests of Honour. GILC Chair and ICAB Council Member Ms Zareen Mahmud Hosein FCA said in a press statement, “Stronger leadership is built through partnership. This conference demonstrates what becomes possible when institutions come together with a shared purpose.”
Abdul Moyeen Khan highlighted women’s contribution to Bangladesh’s economic and social progress, emphasising the need for greater representation in corporate leadership and boardrooms. ICAB Vice President Ms Suraiya Zannath FCA and President N K A Mobin FCA reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to gender inclusion and expanding pathways to leadership roles.
The keynote address was delivered by Ms Akhtar Sanjida Kasem FCA, FCMA, Bangladesh’s first woman Chartered Accountant in practice, who shared insights from the ICAB Gender Dashboard and Women on Boards Survey, detailing progress and remaining challenges.
The conference featured three panel discussions. Professional Bodies United brought together leaders from ICAB, ICMAB, ACCA, ICSB, and IIAB. Women Leading in Service and Practice showcased senior leaders from banking, multinational corporations, and professional practice. Women in Boardrooms, moderated by Ms Hosein, included leaders from IFC, Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC, United Commercial Bank PLC, and Green Delta Insurance PLC.
Inspire to Aspire sessions featured Ms Rupali Chowdhury, Managing Director of Berger Paints Bangladesh and the country’s first woman managing director of a multinational company, alongside Everest summiteer Ms Nishat Mazumdar. The ICAB Ascend Mentorship Programme was also recognised with a spotlight on mentors and mentees.
The conference was supported by United Commercial Bank PLC as Title Sponsor, ACCA, ICMAB, ICSB, and IIAB as Strategic Partners, and IFC as Technical Support Partner. Organisers said the event reaffirmed ICAB’s commitment to fostering inclusive leadership and strengthening pathways to governance roles across professions.
