Born in Sri Lanka, raised in Canada, it no wonder that I have an affinity for travel. Having spent time in more than 10 different countries, I truly believe that education is not just something one receives from a school. I started my education in Toronto's east end where I was raised in a community linked together by a sports program that every individual was involved in. As a result, I firmly believe in the power of a community to shape one's values, beliefs and dreams. Where I am today, a student of the Ivey School of Business, is a facet of my community. I want to use my education to affect change in poverty development across the world.
Additional Information
Personal Definition of Sustainability
"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life"
Personally, I believe that sustainability is intertwined with the pursuit of profit. For me, the ability to create value financially in underdeveloped countries is also the ability to affect long-term change. Through developing self-sustaining profitable ventures, we have the ability to equip entrepreneurs with the skills they need to succeed for life.
Sustainability-in-Action
I first became interested in the idea of social entrepreneurship when I worked as the Assistant Intern Orientation Coordinator and in the Fundraising committee at Western Heads East. I had the opportunity to see what kind of an impact social entrepreneurship could bring to people in Mwanza, Tanzania, and after that moment I was hooked on the idea of co-creating value. This year, I'm once again involved in the Fundraising committee and am excited to see what has changed.
This summer, I spent some time at the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing where I had the opportunity to be involved in some social finance projects that were emerging and already developed in Canada. As the year goes on, I hope to be further involved in MaRS work in Toronto and start looking into social finance on an international landscape.
