Ankhi is passionate about designing social development programs with realistic and community-based solutions. She has more than 8 years of experience working in the development sector, managing large portfolios of poverty alleviation projects in Asia and Africa. Prior to GHD, she worked with BRAC International in their global technical team based in Nairobi as a senior manager of the Ultra-Poor Graduation program. She led multiple program design initiatives for East and West African countries and Afghanistan. She also has in-depth experience in managing direct implementations of large portfolios in northern and central parts of Bangladesh.

She found her interest for development and poverty reduction during her undergraduate degree while studying at Asian University for Women, Chittagong, Bangladesh. After graduating with a major in Economics, she joined the development sector to pursue her interest and fell in love with it.

Ankhi also loves to run and hike as fun activities. Her personal best is climbing to the top of Mount Kenya!

Why GHD?

Joining GHD means not just gaining knowledge but embodying a mindset that inspires impactful and sustainable changes.

Summer Internship

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to spend two months in Peru working with Minga Peru, a local NGO that focuses on climate-adaptive entrepreneurship with Amazonian communities in the northeastern part of the country. As part of my internship, I spent two weeks in the Amazon rainforest, where I not only discovered my own personal strengths but also gained a deeper understanding of climate-adaptive livelihoods and entrepreneurship through Minga Peru’s efforts.

During my Amazon experience, I stayed in the community for several nights, immersing myself in the local way of life and witnessing firsthand the community’s remarkable efforts to live sustainably. One of the most inspiring aspects of my experience was seeing how the community integrates climate adaptation into their daily lives. For instance, one of their projects is fish farming project in the rainforest. For the location of the farm, they use naturally occurring swamps inside the rainforest, ensuring that the ecosystem of the forest remains unharmed. And in those processing, those farms the entire community is engaged, so that everyone is well-educated on its impact and shares responsibility for its success. In addition to fish farming, Minga Peru supports irrigation projects and offers other livelihood options that utilize the forest's resources without causing damage. These livelihood choices are made through careful assessment, considering the location, community feedback, and environmental suitability. 

Beyond providing sustainable livelihoods, Minga Peru also focuses on shifting mindsets—particularly around who can take part in income-generating activities. Teenage girls, for example, are leading entrepreneurship programs, owning fish farms and irrigation project or vegetable gardens, and taking charge of their education and decision-making. This not only transforms their own perceptions of themselves but also challenges societal norms about their roles. The community faces unique challenges, such as limited transportation options and no access to electricity. Despite these difficulties, they have found innovative ways to thrive. Their entrepreneur/livelihood projects allow households to make sustainable use of the Amazon's natural resources without depleting them, reflecting a deep respect for the environment. 

My time in the Amazon was both humbling and transformative. I gained valuable insights into sustainable development and climate adaptation, and the experience helped me grow personally and professionally. It deepened my appreciation for the resilience and knowledge of local communities and reinforced my commitment to finding local solutions that respect and uplift these communities.