Governance
Ms. Ayesha Gulzar
Ms. Gulzar is a distinguished management consultant and Master Trainer with over 20 years of diverse experience. She has provided consulting services to multilaterals, development organizations, and global Fortune 500 companies across the US and Europe. Ms. Gulzar holds an honors degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from the University of Connecticut and has studied Strategic Leadership at Yale University. Additionally, she has received training in social media leveraging and Social Entrepreneurship from Oxford University.
Her specialization lies in enterprise development and microfinance, with a focus on creating agricultural value chains—both hybrid and traditional. Ms. Gulzar is adept at leading, motivating, and mobilizing individuals, teams, and organizational change. Her extensive experience includes building effective working relationships and coaching senior executives to foster business-enabling environments. Her expertise encompasses organizational capacity development, requirements analysis and audits, process engineering, strategic planning, design, and change management, as well as communication collateral development.
Currently, Ms. Gulzar serves as an advisor to the OIC/IDB-ICCIA on agri-business enterprise development and value creation strategies. Her international experience spans the US, UK, UAE, Africa, Germany, India, Iran, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Notably, she was a speaker at the 15th Private Sector Meeting and the 7th Forum for Businesswomen, held in Tehran, Iran, from October 28 to 30, 2013. At this event, hosted by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA), she presented a highly acclaimed paper on food security in OIC countries, addressing critical issues and potential solutions.
Ms. Gulzar’s presentation in Tehran was met with considerable acclaim for its insightful analysis and practical recommendations on enhancing food security across OIC countries. Her work not only addressed immediate challenges but also proposed sustainable strategies for long-term impact, showcasing her deep understanding of complex global issues and her ability to offer actionable solutions.
In her role as a management consultant, Ms. Gulzar has consistently demonstrated her ability to navigate complex organizational landscapes and drive meaningful change. Her approach combines strategic vision with hands-on expertise, enabling her to guide organizations through critical transitions and achieve their business objectives. Her commitment to excellence and her capacity to deliver results have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and thought leader in her field.
Ms. Gulzar’s diverse background and international experience have equipped her with a unique perspective on global business practices and development strategies. She continues to contribute significantly to the advancement of enterprise development and microfinance, particularly in agricultural value chain creation. Her work remains focused on empowering organizations and communities to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Ms. Umm-e-Kalsoom
Ms. Umm-e-Kalsoom is a seasoned development professional with 12 years of experience in managerial and leadership roles across national and international organizations. She has a robust background in the financial sector, having worked with two non-banking microfinance companies. Ms. Kalsoom holds an MPhil in Anthropology from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and has completed various certifications in microfinance and development. Her extensive training includes workshops, exposure visits, and seminars both domestically and internationally. She has also served as a master trainer with NBMFC. Currently, Ms. Kalsoom serves as an independent director on the RCDP Board of Directors.
Mr. Naeem Shahid
Mr. Naeem Shahid is a highly motivated business professional with 18 years of success across various executive roles. Holding multiple professional degrees, diplomas, and certificates, he excels in grasping the latest technological advancements and managing sensitive issues with diplomacy and tact. His MBA in IT from BZU, combined with global business courses, including Managing Across Cultures from Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, and Preston Universities, and Organizational Behavior studies in the UAE, underscores his expertise.
He has also trained as a Halal Lead Auditor with International Halal Integrity in Malaysia. Currently serving as CEO of the Halal Foundation, Mr. Naeem brings valuable business management and international experience to his role as Director at RCDP.Through these initiatives, RCDS has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to improving the lives of marginalized communities in both rural and urban settings, empowering women, enhancing livelihoods, and fostering sustainable development at the grassroots level.
Ms. Arooj Javed
Mr. Mubarik Ali Sarwar
With over 28 years of expertise in social development, Mr. Mubarak Ali Sarwar is a distinguished professional specializing in Education, Health, Microfinance, WASH, Food Security, Sustainable Livelihoods, and Disaster Risk Resilience (DRR). His career began in 1997 with the Punjab Private Sector Ground Water Development Project, a World Bank-funded initiative, where he laid the foundation for his impactful journey.
Over the years, Mr. Sarwar has contributed to numerous projects supported by renowned international organizations, including DFID, ILO, and UNDP. In 2004, he founded AGAHE, a non-profit organization committed to addressing critical issues such as Nutrition, Food Security, Climate Change, WASH, and DRR. Under his leadership, AGAHE has implemented over 250 projects and programs, collaborating with government bodies, academic institutions, development partners, and civil society organizations.
His dedication to sustainable development and humanitarian efforts has established AGAHE as a leading organization in fostering resilience and improving lives across communities.
Mr. Mubarak Ali Sarwar further expanded his vision by joining the Rural Community Development Program (RCDP) as Director. His extensive experience, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to social betterment continue to drive transformative initiatives, addressing pressing challenges and empowering communities to achieve sustainable growth.
Malik Safdar Ali
Mr. Safdar Ali Malik is a distinguished Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA in Finance and Accounts. With over 22 years of extensive experience in banking, finance, and accounting, he stands among the senior-most professionals in these domains.
Mr. Malik began his career as a Chief Accountant, excelling in various managerial roles for nine years before joining the Rural Community Development Program (RCDP) as a director. His career trajectory includes serving as Head of Finance and Accounts in the sugar industry for nearly a decade. Within RCDP, he has played a pivotal role, notably as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee, overseeing financial governance and accountability.
A proponent of lifelong learning, Mr. Malik has attended numerous leadership and strategic management programs. His expertise spans strategic financial planning, system development, and control management, making him a valuable asset to RCDP. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping the organization’s financial and operational frameworks.
Additionally, Mr. Malik has been an active member of RCDP’s Board of Directors since its inception. He has undergone specialized training in corporate governance from Hikmah Consulting, further solidifying his commitment to upholding best practices in organizational leadership.
RCDP continues to benefit immensely from his unparalleled expertise and dedication to driving sustainable development and financial excellence.
Muhammad Asim
Muhammad Asim is a seasoned professional with 14 years of experience in the development sector, specializing in microfinance and community empowerment. A Ph.D. scholar with a focus on sustainable development and economic empowerment, he has made significant contributions to advancing these fields.
Renowned for his expertise in coaching and mentoring, Asim has guided numerous teams in the development sector, helping them achieve operational excellence. His dedication to capacity building is evident in the thousands of staff members he has trained in financial literacy and the effective use of microfinance services.
An adept team player with exceptional relationship-building skills, Asim excels in fostering collaboration, enhancing communication, and driving organizational efficiency. His forward-thinking approach has played a pivotal role in shaping technical strategies and policy implementation for various initiatives.
Currently serving as the District Head for projects affiliated with Oxfam GB, Oxfam Hong Kong, the Punjab Skills Development Fund, and the Punjab Education Foundation, Asim continues to lead impactful programs. His expertise has earned him a position on the Board of Directors of RCDP as an Independent Director, where he contributes to governance and strategic decision-making.
Asim’s commitment to empowering communities and advancing sustainable development underscores his standing as a leader in the development sector.
