Shehzeen Choudhury

As part of the APAC regional communications team at Meta, I lead strategic communications across Singapore and South Asia, driving media and social engagement to spotlight how our policies, products, and partnerships fuel digital innovation and shape the future of human connection. My role spans some of the world’s most dynamic markets, managing high-impact campaigns and launches for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Threads, and Quest — in a region that contributes nearly half of Meta’s global ad revenue and engages 3.4 billion users daily. I work closely with top-tier media, creators, and community voices to deliver initiatives that raise scam awareness, empower business growth, and launch products such as Meta AI, Reels, and Teen Accounts, as well as programs like the APAC AI Accelerator. In an environment of rapid policy shifts and complex regulatory landscapes, I also lead thought leadership efforts — crafting op-eds, producing podcasts, and securing interviews with senior executives, including Nick Clegg, Meta's President of Global Affairs, to tell authentic, locally relevant stories that advance our mission across the region.

Led strategic communications for South Asia at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group focused on driving sustainable growth in emerging markets. Covering Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan, I managed a high-performing team and directed communications for landmark investments, including Nepal’s Upper Trishuli hydropower project and Pakistan’s pioneering Super Six wind initiative. My role involved developing multi-channel content strategies for IFC’s social platforms, crafting thought leadership pieces, and contributing to both internal and external publications — including a first-person narrative featured on IFC and World Bank website and social media channels. I worked in close partnership with World Bank colleagues, investment teams, and private sector partners, while cultivating strong relationships with journalists, activists, and civil society groups. In parallel, I proactively managed reputational risks, monitored media sentiment, and handled press engagement on sensitive investment and advisory projects.

At BRAC, the world's largest NGO, I led communications across 10 countries in Asia and Africa, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Managing a team of 14, I navigated complex safety, humanitarian, and policy challenges while producing impactful multimedia content that amplified BRAC’s mission. I played a key role in raising global visibility and supporting fundraising and partnership initiatives focused on poverty alleviation. My thought leadership contributions included a case study on BRAC’s development impact, published by The Asia Foundation. Additionally, I served as the Gender Focal for BRAC International, helping integrate gender equity into organizational strategy and communications.

Led the communications team for USAID’s largest global initiative addressing domestic violence, focused on combating child marriage and violence against women in Bangladesh. My work involved documenting the impact of legal reforms and grassroots interventions, conducting in-depth interviews with survivors of gender-based violence, and producing a published collection of case studies. The project’s outcomes were shared with key audiences — including journalists, donors, advocacy partners, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh — to raise awareness, influence policy conversations, and support ongoing advocacy efforts.

As part of a collaborative project between Voice of America and USAID, I was posted to Bangladesh to establish and manage a media center focused on promoting health journalism and addressing nutrition and population challenges. I hosted and produced Jiboner Golpo, a television program featuring interviews with health experts and public figures, including the US Ambassador to Bangladesh. In addition, I conducted journalist training sessions and produced the biweekly radio show Better Health, Better Life, aimed at raising public awareness on critical health issues.

At Voice of America, I hosted the weekly television program Hello America, covering U.S. news, current affairs, and lifestyle topics through interviews and panel discussions with diaspora thought leaders. I also edited and produced TV segments, including the weekly VOA60 News and U.S. election coverage. In addition, I hosted the VOA Bangla morning radio show and contributed articles to VOA News Online, expanding the program’s reach across platforms.

Managed the Bangladesh in-country team for Lift Up Asia, a Maryland-based NGO focused on labor rights in the readymade garment sector. After receiving Master Trainer Certification from the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, I conducted training sessions for industry facilitators on compliance and fire safety standards. I also audited high-risk garment factories to assess and improve worker safety. In addition, we facilitated policy dialogues and advocated for the empowerment of female workers in order to increase their representation in mid-management roles.

Taught Bengali to US Foreign Service Officers preparing for assignments in Bangladesh and trained them for their final language proficiency assessments prior to departure.

Authored From Darkness to Light, a book of case studies highlighting efforts by BRAC to end gender-based discrimination in Bangladesh. I also facilitated full-day creative writing workshops for BRAC trainers to promote innovative documentation and storytelling practices.

Reviewed and approved the publication of online skills builders for enrolled language students. As a Subject Matter and Pedagogical Expert, I developed and evaluated learning materials designed to assess the aptitude of Bengali language learners.

Conceptualized original ideas and wrote scripts for advertisements at Unitrend Ltd. affiliated with U.S.-based McCann Erickson.

Thesis: Unbinding Her - Book of short stories based on news reports of gender-based discrimination and violence.

Minor in Philosophy.