Raisa Chowdhury

Raisa Chowdhury is a development and communications professional with 15 years of experience working across more than 13 countries in Asia and Africa. She has extensive expertise in strategic communications, organisational strategy, business development, resource mobilisation, programme development, stakeholder engagement, and donor relations. Throughout her career, she has developed and implemented multi-annual strategies for leading international development organisations and has successfully mobilised approximately EUR 18 million for programmes focused on nutrition governance, climate-smart food systems, digital transformation, skills development, and entrepreneurship. She has worked closely with major development partners and institutions, including the European Union, DFID/FCDO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, WFP, IOM, government agencies, civil society organisations, and the private sector. Currently serving as Head of Communications at BRAC International, Raisa leads global communications strategy and execution across 13 countries, overseeing organisational messaging, thought leadership, publications, digital communications, campaigns, and global branding initiatives. Previously, she held senior regional communications, marketing, and business development responsibilities at ICCO Cooperation and worked with Tetra Tech, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI), iDE Bangladesh, and other organisations. Her professional portfolio includes governance, transparency and anti-corruption, Right to Information, clean energy, inclusive market systems, youth entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and organisational communications. She holds an MSc in Development Administration and Planning from University College London (UCL) and a BA (Hons) in Economics and Politics from the University of Exeter, and has completed professional training in leadership, negotiation, social enterprise, and human-centred design.