With seven years of experience in leading and managing youth-led voluntary organizations, Mizan has been working for youth with disabilities through diversified activities since 2008. He earned a Master’s degree in Arts from the Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. To promote inclusive leadership and empower youth with disabilities, Mizan and his team officially launched the Physically-challenged Development Foundation-PDF in 2008. PDF is the largest organization in Bangladesh working to empower the youth and youth with disabilities. As of late, Mizan has been leading research on these issues and publishing reports. In 2014, The Daily Star publication recognized him as a Young Achiever of Bangladesh. Besides his non-profit works, Mizan worked professionally with Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) as a disability rights activist. Mizan worked closely with its founder, Ms. Valerie Ann Taylor, and gained experience fundraising and grant writing for national and international donors. In his most recent role, Mizan has worked with one of the world’s largest organizations, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC), as a policy advocacy specialist for road safety issues. He is also experienced in facilitating the leadership training sessions at BRAC and National Youth Center, Bangladesh. These excellent experiences promoted his skills to liaise with government officials, and network with INGOs and NGOs. He has honed his problem identification and leadership, advocacy and communication, staff management and event management, facilitation and training intervention skills as well. Mizan enjoys focusing on the topics of youth empowerment and community mobilization, and has a strong passion to protect and empower youth with disabilities.
Host Organization: Community Options, Inc.
Role at Host Organization: As the Training and Grants Fellow, Mizan will assist with the design and delivery of management related training and the roll-out of a day program curriculum. In addition he will assist writers in writing federal, state, local and foundation grant proposals to enhance housing development and employment for persons with developmental disabilities.