Suman Chakma, Joint Director, Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), Bangladesh 

Over the last year, I’ve participated in AFI Engage, a one-year program for aspiring policymakers in the AFI network. Focusing on building leadership skills like adaptive thinking, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence, the program operates through mentoring, peer learning, and leadership attachments.  

Participants attend a three-day workshop in Kuala Lumpur, join the AFI Global Policy Forum in September, and engage regularly throughout the year.  

For me, the experience has been transformative. I’ve gained a clearer understanding of my leadership style. It has helped me move from just managing tasks, to leading with purpose and vision.  

A pivotal aspect of the program involves bridging the gap between aspiration and reality. It also strengthens our adaptive capacity, equipping us to lead with flexibility and resilience. One of the most important skills I’ve developed is strategic communication, including how to create strong messages and influence stakeholders.  

Equally transformative was the program’s focus on strategic networking. I learned that networking isn’t just about who you know; it’s about who trusts you, who will advocate for you, and who invites you into the spaces where critical decisions are made.  

AFI Engage has taught me that leadership is about influence, empathy, and making evidence-based decisions. It has connected me with a global network of peers and mentors, who inspire me to keep learning, collaborating, and stepping beyond my comfort zone. And I’m putting into practice, and sharing, what I’ve learned at my workplace, the Microcredit Regulatory Authority.  

Being part of the inaugural AFI Engage cohort has been truly rewarding. It has given me the tools, insight, and network needed to lead transformative change. It has empowered me to grow – as a leader, and as an ambassador for inclusive finance.