M. A. Baqui Khalily is a renowned scholar and eminent researcher in Bangladesh. He taught at the Department of Finance, University of Dhaka, for 37 years as a Professor of Rural Finance. He earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Ohio State University, USA, with a major in Rural Finance and Development. He was the founder Executive Director of the Institute of Microfinance. Professor Khalily has extensively published in rural finance, microfinance, SME development, and banking. Presently, he is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh.

Mohammad Sadiqul Islam is a Professor of Finance at the University of Dhaka. With extensive experience in academia and corporate governance, he has held leadership roles in academic institutions and corporations. His research focuses on securities markets, financial inclusion, and microfinance, reflecting his commitment to advancing inclusive financial systems in Bangladesh. He brings practical insights from his roles as the Chairman of a commercial bank and an independent director in leading Bangladeshi corporations.

Md. Abdul Khaleque is a professor at the Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka. He did his PhD in Development Studies, with a particular focus on water security and poverty, funded by the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, through the REACH project. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies in Economics from the University of Dhaka. His research interests include finance, enterprise development, employment creation, water security, poverty alleviation, trade, and macroeconomic issues.

Meherun Ahmed has extensive experience in data analysis and policy research. She has received both her Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Washington, USA. Her research focuses on microeconomic analysis of household behavior, with an emphasis on the investment in education and health, forced displacement, climate change adaptation, migration, crisis coping mechanisms, poverty, and labor force supply. She worked as a Professor and the Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Independent University Bangladesh (IUB).