Dipal Chandra Barua is a pioneering social entrepreneur and renewable energy leader from Bangladesh, best known as the Co-Founder and former Deputy Managing Director of Grameen Bank and the Founding Managing Director of Grameen Shakti. As the Founder and Chairman of Bright Green Energy Foundation (BGEF), he has championed solar energy expansion in rural Bangladesh, developing innovative financial models that enabled the installation of over 6.5 million Solar Home Systems—the world’s largest program of its kind. His visionary work has earned him global recognition, including the First Zayed Future Energy Prize in 2009, the Right Livelihood Award in 2007, and numerous other international honors. Mr. Barua has served in key advisory and leadership roles, including Councilor of the World Future Council, Chief Adviser and former President of the Bangladesh Solar & Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), Council Member of the Bangladesh Energy Society (BES), Ambassador of the Global 100% RE Campaign, and former member of the Private Sector Advisory Group of the Green Climate Fund. With decades of experience in pro-poor energy solutions, international advocacy, and policy development, he continues to pursue his vision of transforming Bangladesh into the world’s first “Solar Nation” by 2050, bringing renewable energy to 75 million people and inspiring global change.