William Shakespeare's quote, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them," rings true for our Stellar Woman in the Marketing Professional category, Kyoko Arani Nasir Bhuiyan. While her journey into the development sector was not what she envisioned growing up, she embraced it wholeheartedly and has excelled from the outset.

Kyoko Arani Nasir Bhuiyan was born in 1992 in Japan while her father was pursuing a PhD there. She and her twin brother, Kiyoshi, share a unique bond, with their birthplace reflected in their equally distinctive names. They also have an older brother, Sheahan. Raised in a progressive family, Kyoko was encouraged to explore opportunities, provided she ensured her safety and well-being. Recently, she shared that she feels honored and privileged to have achieved so much, as her journey to success has been anything but ordinary.

After spending the first three years of her life abroad, Kyoko moved back to Bangladesh with her family. Her mother joined the development sector upon their return. Kyoko was enrolled at European Standard School, where she completed her O' Levels in 2008. Shortly after she began her A' Levels, her mother accepted a job in Zambia, leading the family to relocate. Since Zambia offered the International Baccalaureate (IB) program instead of A' Levels, Kyoko decided to pursue the IB. At the time, she aspired to become a lawyer, even gaining practical experience in Vietnam during her undergraduate studies.

It was during this period that her mentors first suggested her talents were better suited for the development sector. The IB program's practical components exposed her to the stark realities of underprivileged communities in Zambia. Additionally, experiences such as visiting Paris during her Bachelor's program and participating in a Model UN in Egypt broadened her global perspective. After completing the IB, Kyoko pursued her Bachelor's degree in the Netherlands. Her first job, during her final year of university, was with the Design Innovation Group, where she worked on "Design Thinking" initiatives to improve the lives of dialysis patients.

While pursuing her undergraduate studies and gaining work experience, Kyoko felt compelled to return to Bangladesh and contribute to her country's development. Her initial roles in Bangladesh included working at IUCN and an agency focused on mass communication and advertising for NGOs. 

Kyoko eventually pursued a Master's in Development Studies, likely inspired by three pivotal women in her life: her mother, Tayyeba, her paternal aunt, Meher, and her best friend—all of whom were employed in development organizations. Her achievements have been supported by her husband, Zayn, and her father, Aziz, whom she considers her greatest pillars of supports.
Over the years, Kyoko's multicultural experiences and education abroad have shaped her belief that the Bangladeshi education system requires significant reform. She feels it is her humanitarian duty to bridge the gap between students' needs and the resources available.

Kyoko's radiant smile reflects her personality—kind, approachable, and wise beyond her years. This wisdom, shaped by her exposure to marginalized communities in Zambia and Bangladesh, fuels her determination to drive systemic change. Unlike many, she aspires to be a changemaker, working collaboratively to create a holistic education system. Her dream for the Alokito Hridoy Foundation is to make it a household name across Bangladesh. As a marketing professional, Kyoko has focused on transforming education through innovative campaigns, empowering communities, and inspiring systemic change. By amplifying the voices of educators and students, she has left a lasting impact on education and social equity in Bangladesh.

Kyoko credits her mentor and boss, Azwa Nayeem, for encouraging her to enter the Stellar Women competition in the Marketing Professional category. Despite the challenges she has faced as a woman trying to reform Bangladesh's education system, she sees her recognition in bti The Daily Star Stellar Women Season 2 as the start of an exciting new chapter. She urges women across various fields to participate in such initiatives, emphasizing that women work hard and deserve the recognition they receive. Kyoko wishes the Stellar Women initiative continued success, hoping it will shine a well-deserved spotlight on many more young women and their incredible achievements in the years to come.