My Journey
2012 was when I started the second expedition of my professional journey to be a researcher.
Prior to that, I was in a rewarding career as a business professional.
I held several senior management roles in business development, strategic planning, project management, marketing and consulting within the national operations of an international cement and building material manufacturer (now Lafarge Holcim).
At the time, as a founding management team member of a start-up business unit in co-processing of waste, I played a pivotal role in steering organisation’s strategy and projects, at national-level and in the Asia Pacific region. It was a privilege to contribute to the national-level policies and programmes for the budding waste recovery industry in Sri Lanka from 2004-2012.
This company, later grew to be the country’s top industrial waste recovery solution provider, now known as INSEE Ecocycle.
In 2012, I decided to undertake my post-graduate studies after I figured my passion – strategizing to enable a circular economy.
Since then, I have been a researcher, advisor and solution provider, creating concepts and ideas, developing strategies, tools and driving transformation to enable effective transition to a circular economy.
I am passionate about transforming how we produce (products), distribute (via supply chains) and consume things (create demand through markets) and focus my professional expertise to make those happen.
I also write, speak and share original thoughts and knowledge within this sphere.
My Journey
2012 was when I started the second expedition of my professional journey to be a researcher.
Prior to that, I was in a rewarding career as a business professional.
I held several senior management roles in business development, strategic planning, project management, marketing and consulting within the national operations of an international cement and building material manufacturer (now Lafarge Holcim).
At the time, as a founding management team member of a start-up business unit in co-processing of waste, I played a pivotal role in steering organisation’s strategy and projects, at national-level and in the Asia Pacific region. It was a privilege to contribute to the national-level policies and programmes for the budding waste recovery industry in Sri Lanka from 2004-2012.
This company, later grew to be the country’s top industrial waste recovery solution provider, now known as INSEE Ecocycle.
In 2012, I decided to undertake my post-graduate studies after I figured my passion – strategizing to enable a circular economy.
Since then, I have been a researcher, advisor and solution provider, creating concepts and ideas, developing strategies, tools and driving transformation to enable effective transition to a circular economy, transforming how we produce (products), distribute (via supply chains) and consume things (create demand through markets).
I also write, speak and share original thoughts and knowledge within this sphere.
Professional Memberships
I hold memberships at the following professional bodies.
- Certified Practising Accountants, Australia (CPA) – Full member
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA, UK) – Chartered Global Management Accountant
- Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
Educational & Professional Background
Having a multi-disciplinary educational background has enabled me understand both the technical and business world to facilitate solutions.
- PhD – University of Melbourne
- Chartered Global Management Accountant, CIMA, UK
- Certified Practising Accountant, CPA Australia
- BSc. Engineering (Chemical and Process Engineering), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
- Graduate Certificate of Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Deakin University 2020
Professional Experience - Industry
As a business head and project manager, I have been at the forefront driving organisational transformation, playing multiple roles in strategic and business planning, business development, sales and marketing, customer relationship functions. I have led national as well as organisation-wide projects in addition to working as an internal consultant. My work experience spans across industries in cement, building materials and resource recovery in Australia and overseas.
Circular Economy Expert
UN Habitat
Director
Anvarta
Business Consultant – Customer Experience
Holcim Australia Pty Ltd.
Net Promoter Score Coordinator
Holcim Australia Pty Ltd.
Head – Customer Relationship Management
Holcim Lanka Ltd.
Coach – Customer Service Excellence
Holcim Lanka Ltd.
Business Development Manager
Geocycle – Holcim Lanka Ltd.
Marketing and Communications Manager
Geocycle – Holcim Lanka Ltd.
Management Trainee-Business Development
Holcim Lanka Ltd.
Professional Experience - Research & Academia
In 2012, I took to the field of research to study closely an area that I am passionate about. Since then, I have undertaken several academic/research positions to further develop my expertise.
Honorary Fellow
Deakin University
Lecturer
Deakin University
Post-doctoral Research Fellow (ARC linkage)
The University of Melbourne
Research Fellow
The University of Melbourne
Doctoral Candidate
The University of Melbourne
Professional Experience - Teaching & Training
Throughout my career as a business professional and academic, I have been an educator sharing my knowledge and expertise. Here are some of my knowledge sharing initiatives.
Teaching Specialist
The University of Melbourne
Target Group: Mater of Management postgraduates
Teaching: Global Value Chains
Lecturer
Deakin University
Target Group: Master of Eng. Professional
Teaching: Engineering Project Management
Lecturer
The University of Melbourne
Target Group: Bachelor of Commerce
Teaching: Operations Management
Tutor/Teaching Staff
The University of Melbourne
Target Group: Bachelor of Commerce and Masters of Engineering courses
Teaching: Product management, Supply chain management, Engineering Contracts & Procurement
Lead Trainer/Trainer
Holcim Group Support Ltd. / Holcim Lanka Ltd.
Target Group: Middle and Senior Managers of companies in the Asia Pacific region
Teaching: ECOSIMTM – Economic and Business Simulation
Facilitator – Finance and management
National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka/International Olympic Solidarity
Teaching: Finance for Olympic Sports Organisations
Awards
I have won the following awards in my career.
- Australian PostGraduate Award – 2012
- Melbourne Abroad Travelling Scholarship – 2014
- Best Journal paper: Civil Engineering – Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne – 2016
Board Positions & Roles
I have held the below positions in boards.
- A board member of the Global Product Stewardship Council (GlobalPSC Board) – Management Committee (2023 -To Date)
- Advisory committee member of the Australia and New Zealand Biochar Industry Group (ANZBIG) (2022 -To Date)
- Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) – Victorian Branch Executive Committee Member (2018-2022)
- Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) – Technical Reference Panel Member
- Australian Packaging Covenant Organization : National Packaging Target Implementation (NPTI) Working Group