Jesmin is a dreamer, a nature lover, a humanitarian, an empath, a mother of a loving son, a wife of a wonderful husband and blessed with a beautiful family.
Entrepreneur
Jesmin Akhtar Neela is a visionary social entrepreneur, mother, and advocate for safe food and women’s economic empowerment in Bangladesh. Her journey began from a deeply personal place—after discovering that her son’s hyperactivity was linked to food adulteration, she made it her mission to ensure access to safe, chemical-free food for every family. What started as a mother’s concern evolved into a movement, and ultimately, into Shondhibazar—Bangladesh’s first farm-to-table platform rooted in traceability, purity, and sustainability.
“Honored with the Most Impactful Business Award”
Awarded under the Truvalu Gender Lens Investing (GLI) Programme, recognizing Shondhibazar’s commitment to empowering women, promoting food safety, and driving sustainable impact from farm to table.
Under her leadership, Shondhibazar has:
Onboarded over 400+ smallholder farmers, including 128+ women farmers,
Served more than 220,000 safe meals
Recycled 22,000+ glass jars
Eliminated over 200,000 plastic units from its supply chain
Won the Most Impactful Business Award under the Truvalu GLI Programme
Been featured in the LowCarbon.Earth Accelerator, Orange Corners Bangladesh, and the EBL Women Banking Initiative
Jesmin’s work goes beyond commerce. Through Safe Food Experience Centers, nutrition consultation services, and active community engagement, she is building a new model of ethical, inclusive food systems. She continues to inspire a new generation of women leaders by proving that impact-driven business is not only possible—it is essential.
To build a future where every Bangladeshi family has access to safe, traceable, and nutritious food—while farmers, especially women, are respected, fairly paid, and empowered.
To create a climate-resilient, transparent food ecosystem through direct sourcing, cooperative farming, and consumer trust—connecting farm to table with dignity and care.
Food should heal, not harm. Mothers should never fear the food on their child’s plate. Women can lead impactful, community-rooted change. Farmers deserve fairness and visibility. Sustainability is not a trend, it’s a responsibility.
Shondhibazar is not just a business—it is her lived experience turned into a platform for change. It is where her personal role as a mother meets her public role as a changemaker.
“Shondhibazar is my answer to the fear I once carried. Today, it’s a voice for every woman who wants safety, dignity, and purpose.” — Jesmin
