About Us
The work of Symbiosis in Bangladesh is carried out under the overall management and oversight of Symbiosis International, an NGO registered in Australia and based in Brisbane, Australia. Our dedicated staff working in our local organisation, Symbiosis Bangladesh, are essential to our success. The local transfer of knowledge and experience in all walks of life enables Symbiosis to facilitate change without destroying the culture or sense of identity of village communities. Â
Symbiosis International undertakes projects in Bangladesh through its implementing division, Symbiosis Bangladesh, which is registered in Bangladesh as an NGO. Symbiosis International has a range of funding partners that have agreements with either Symbiosis International or directly with Symbiosis Bangladesh.
The power to change comes from working together
Vision
Our vision is the transformation of the poor and marginalised within their communities in Bangladesh, such that they are freed from exploitation and dependency
Mission
Our mission is to empower the poor and marginalised in Bangladesh through group formation, education and training, collective savings and peer lending to deliver sustainable development outcomes within community organisations.
Values
- Sensitivity
- Relationship
- Accountability
- Respect
- Innovation
- Inclusion
Our Team
Executive Leadership
Lisa West-Newman
CEO | Symbiosis International
Lisa stepped into the CEO role, following the retirement of our Founder, Dr Morris Lee in July 2020.
With 10 years of experience in community development in South East Asia and a background in communications and public policy, Lisa joined the Symbiosis Board as a Director in 2017 with a particular focus on supporting our communications and fundraising efforts.
Lisa is committed to spending time in Bangladesh with staff and group members to hear first-hand the stories of transformational change occurring in participants’ lives.
Roger White
CEO | UTE Holdings Pty Ltd
An industrial chemist with water treatment skills, Roger visited Bangladesh for the first time in 2007, immediately feeling a strong connection with the people.
In 2007-08 he joined the Board of Symbiosis International where he served for seven years. During that time he continued to support the water treatment program with Symbiosis and make occasional visits to Bangladesh.
Roger now leads our endeavours to develop a sustainable social enterprise program in country.
Abu Bakkar Mia
Country Director | Symbiosis Bangladesh
Following the retirement of Dr. Abdur Rahman on 30 June 2025, Mr. Md. Abu Bakkar Mia (Bakkar) assumed the role of Country Director of Symbiosis Bangladesh.
Prior to his appointment, he served as the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of the organization. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles in several development organizations, consistently demonstrating strong capabilities in leadership, program management, and financial oversight.Â
Mr. Bakkar is deeply passionate about serving the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable communities of Bangladesh. His commitment to social development has kept him with Symbiosis for approximately 18 years.
Symbiosis International Australia Board
Noel Harvey OAM - Board Chair
Experience in Local Government as councillor and administrator, experienced board member on several  government authorities and government owned enterprises.
Nick Young - Deputy Chair
Cyber Security Consultant with experience in public sector, NGOs and Community DevelopmentÂ
Dr Neil Parker
Retired Specialist in Public Health Medicine, with over a decade of clinical and community development experience in rural Bangladesh
Scott Dale
Qualified Chartered Accountant & CPA Specialising in Business Development
Caryn Chan
Experience in the professional services and NFP sector and serves as the Central Services Director of an Australian Charity. Chartered Accountant and member of Governance Institute of Australia
Adam Robinson
Solicitor in Private Practice for over 30 years
Symbiosis Bangladesh Senior Management Team
Abu Bakkar Mia
Country Director
Md. Abu Baker Siddique
Program Consultant
Asif Kaiser
Chief Program Officer
Md. Moazzem Hossain Miah
Head of Human Resource Development
Delwar Hossain
Central Accountant
Md. Nazrul Islam
Central Co-Ordinator and Information Officer
Aba Khalid
Finance Officer
Abdul Aziz
Project Manager – DHP
Abdur Rashid
Project Manager – JSDP
Abul Kalam
Project Manager – SCDP
Salma Khatun
Project Manager – ICDP-T
Hazrat Ali
Project Manager – JRDP
Nahida Khanam
Project Manager – HBTP
Farida Yeasmin
Project Manager – GIDP
Monira Akter
Team Leader – ICDP-M
Ferdous Fahad
Project Officer – STDS
Symbiosis Bangladesh Associate
Mizanur Rahman
Vision Center Supervisor
Monisha Das Porna
Communication and Child Safeguarding Officer
Symbiosis Australia Staff
Travis McAuliffe
Board Secretary
Chief Finance Officer
Dr John Davis
Chief Programs Officer
Jessie Rouillon
Communications Coordinator
Our Founders
Starting with two friends and a shared vision, Symbiosis International continues the the work of Founder and Patron Dr Morris Lee, OAM and Founding Country Director in Bangladesh, Mr Akand.
Together, they established the organisation to work in the poorest communities of Bangladesh, creating a process for development that was empowering, holistic, sustainable and locally grown.
Our Locations
Australia
PO Box 6166, Mitchelton, QLD 4053
53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne, QLD 4051
Phone: +61 7 3355 5985
Bangladesh
House # 5A, Flat # C-5, Road # 136-137, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Phone/Fax: +88 02 9883599