Iffat Mahmud joined JAAGO on April 14, 2007 as a founding member, and was extensively involved in building organizational structure and strategies.

After completing her O-Levels from South Breeze School and her A-Levels from Master Mind School, she did her BBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka and then her Masters on Development Studies from the North South University.

Iffat completed her Internship at Bangladesh Enterprise Institute. She has also worked as a Research Associate at eGen Consultants Ltd and as a Business Consultant at Swisscontact-Katalyst.

"JAAGO is my idea of the youth taking responsibility for its future!"

Wrapping up Scholastica's high school life in Bangladesh and going off to USA for a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Kansas, Zihad Zaman had a cutting edge profile going for him. After graduation, he worked at KU's Engineering Department as a research assistant for a while, before coming back to Bangladesh to work for the betterment of his people. With his stellar GPA and work experiences, Zihad could have easily placed himself in a highly lucrative position in Bangladesh's power sector which at the time had and still has an exceptionally high demand of EE graduates because of the country's gross electrical power concerns. However, Zihad felt that the nature of his contributions would be much greater in a framework where he can directly help the lives of countless Bangladeshis- hence he joined JAAGO Foundation. He is the General Secretary and a member of the Directing Board of the organization.

"While living a cinematic fast-forward young life in the twenty first century might seem like the ideal excuse to let self-interest take full reign, it doesn't take long to realize that slow-motion guilt and reproach is at bay for when poverty and underdevelopment takes its toll on a nation as a whole."

Tanvir Quader Riyad, joined as the Treasurer back in the organization’s early days in 2007, eventually becoming a Board Member. It was the idea of being able to bring positive change in the society and ultimately the country, which appealed to him immensely and brought him to JAAGO.

JAAGO's vivacity and the children are the two things that attract Riyad the most, and of course – the dedicated members and volunteers without whom the organization would not have been where it stands today. The fact that JAAGO is truly helping to expand the horizons of the underprivileged children and in turn changing their lives forever gives Riyad a feeling of indescribable satisfaction and makes him proud of its achievements.

Ms Wamiq Umaira, who is currently pursuing a Masters in Development Economics from Princeton University, was infected by the spirit of volunteering that JAAGO has integrated into the young generation. After earning her bachelor degree in Economics and International Relations from New York University(NYU),Ms. Wamiq worked on issues related to democracy and the dynastic politics in South Asia in collaboration with NYU Professor Kanchan Chandra. Her experience as a development consultant at Bangladesh Development Institute, a think tank within BRAC working on issues of food security, poverty alleviation and social protection, has proved valuable in the Board.

"I eagerly look forward to seeing the students of the school, the volunteers and all others affiliated with JAAGO become responsible and productive citizens to take our country where it needs to go."

Sharmin Ahmed, or 'Sharmin Miss' as she is more commonly known as, has been at the heart of JAAGO's operations ever since she joined in February 2008. After completing her SSC from Shankar Ali Hossain School and her HSC from Lalmatia College, she proceeded to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tejgaon College.

Prior to joining JAAGO, Sharmin Miss had worked as a teacher at other schools for underprivileged children. In 2008, she began working as a teacher at Rayer Bazaar. However, with her skills of advising and communication with the Rayer Bazaar community, she was quickly promoted to the position of Community Officer.

At the start of every session, Sharmin Miss goes from door to door in the Rayer Bazaar slum, looking for kids who are in most need of education. She also conducts surveys in the Rayer Bazaar Slum, oversees the school admission process, and provides counseling to kids and parents alike to make sure that our students have the best environment at home. It is Sharmin Miss who keeps tabs on every single kid and their life story and records all our student's stories to share them with supporters of JAAGO.

Mother of two kids, Sharmin Ahmed wants her children to have a good education and make something of them in this world.

"I want my children, especially my daughter to become good, independent human beings. I want my daughter to follow my example and maintain a good career, be a good person. I never want anything to degrade her or discourage her from fulfilling her best potential."