Our Team

Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI) is a dynamic team of passionate individuals with proven expertise and influence in areas ranging from academia and the arts to international relations and financial management. Our team members are dedicated to ourMission of creating real and lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world.

Board of Directors

Dr. Brian DeBroff
President
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Affiliation: Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut.

Professor Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed
Vice President
Affiliation: Professor of Medicine and Nephrology, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA, Professor Emeritus, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia.

Dr. Ehsan Hoque
Director
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Secretary and Executive Director; Cambridge, Massachusetts

Phil Noel
Director
Affiliation: IT Senior Manager at Stanley Black & Decker, New Britain, Connecticut.

Dr. Nina Hoque
Director
Bio
Affiliation: Principal Scientist, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lori Sudderth
Director
Affiliation: Professor of Sociology, Director of Criminal Justice, Quinnipiac University, Connecticut.

Limu Chowdhury
Director
Affiliation: President, Concord Restaurants Inc.,Duncanville, Texas.

Past Board of Directors

Dr. Syed Wasim

Elizabeth Swearsky

Eric Preudhomme

Goodwill Ambassadors & Advocates

DCI Goodwill Ambassadors and Advocates are renowned individuals and leaders of their fields who generously use their influence to advance DCI’s mission of protecting child rights and preventing blindness.

Babita Akhtar (Goodwill Ambassador)

Babita Akhtar is an internationally acclaimed actress and a great star of Bangladeshi cinema. She is a dedicated child rights activist who has worked with several initiatives to support children’s health, and is now working closely with DCI to help alleviate child poverty.
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Sabina Yasmin (Goodwill Ambassador)

Sabina Yasmin, the legendary singer from Bangladesh, has been active in the Bangladeshi music industry since the 1970s. She has received numerous prestigious awards and is most famous for her patriotic music and film songs. Sabina has now joined DCI as a Patron and has dedicated the rest of her life to benefit underprivileged children through her music.
Bio

Takaya Tsukada (Advocate)

Takaya Tsukada is a popular musician in Hokkaido, Japan. He has been a strong supporter of DCI since its inception and uses his music to advocate for child rights.

Hassan Abidur Reja Jewel (Advocate)

Hassan Abidur Reja Jewel is a singer, recording artist, filmmaker, and event consultant from Bangladesh. Jewel has been involved with DCI since its inception and is now planning to campaign for DCI’s mission using his many talents.
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Past Goodwill Ambassadors

Dr. Syed A. Wadud

Late Professor Syed A. Wadud was a renowned eye surgeon from Bangladesh. In addition to teaching at numerous universities, he helped establish Islamia Eye Hospital in Bangladesh, received a National Award from the government of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and performed surgery on DCI Executive Director Dr. Ehsan Hoque to treat his congenital cataracts.

Dr. Wadud honored DCI with his presence at the Child Rights & Sight Conference in 2013. In his words, “I operated on Dr. Ehsan Hoque’s eyes over 45 years ago, and it is wonderful to see that today his organization has mushroomed into a worldwide network of volunteers who help restore sight to the needy. The task ahead is enormous, but so is the enthusiasm of all the volunteers of DCI. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish all of you success in your noble endeavor. I am proud to be involved with DCI.”

At DCI, we pray for his departed soul and continue our determination to help restore sight of the disadvantaged. Although today he is not with us, his spirit will live on with us forever though our efforts for blindness prevention in his memory.

Past Advocate

Ayab Bachchu

Ayub Bachchu was a renowned legendary musician in Bangladesh and an advocate for Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI). A pioneer of the blues and alternative rock movement whose music took Bangladesh by storm. He was a member of the bands Souls and Feelings.
Ayub Bachchu made his debut in the music industry in 1978. In 1991, he formed his own band, LRB (Love Runs Blind) where he was the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter. LRB is the only Bangla Rock Band which played their music in the famous Madison Square Garden in New York. Ayub Bachchu’s music will always be remembered by the people of Bangladesh.

Ayub Bachchu was an active DCI advocate since 2005 and graciously worked with us to promote a better and happier future for children everywhere. He feels deeply for the underprivileged children and devoted his whole life for them. Ayub Bachchu performed in concerts for DCI initiatives and spoke at press conferences as DCI’s advocate. He was an active leader for DCI’s journey for Child Rights & Sight (JCRS) program.

He passed away on October 18, 2018 at the age of 56. We and all the children we support remain grateful to him for all his passion, dedication, inspiration, encouragement and commitment to our mission. DCI honors the legacy of Ayub Bachchu. Although he is not with us today, his spirit will live on with us forever through our continued effort for less fortunate children throughout the world. We deeply mourn for his unexpected depart and will relentlessly work to fulfill his dream in the future.