Nishandanee Samarakoon - Sri Lanka
From the earliest days of my life, I felt a gentle but persistent calling—a desire to touch lives, nurture young hearts, and guide children toward their full potential. I began my journey in teaching English as a second language, where I first discovered the joy of unlocking curiosity and experienced the spark of a child's eye.
Driven by an unwavering love for children, I pursued Early Childhood Education and Development, dedicating myself to creating spaces where young minds could flourish. In 1998, I founded the first Early Childhood Development center, transforming classrooms into safe havens of exploration, wonder, and learning. Every corner, every activity reflected I believed that children thrive best in environments that are caring, inspiring, and thoughtfully designed.
Through decades of dedication, my vision blossomed. My center became a model institution, recognized with Central Province Best Entrepreneur Awards and earning a the Justice of Peace designation—testaments to the innovation, leadership, and impact. I expanded my knowledge continously, earning certificates, diplomas, and advanced degrees in ECD, while also developing my leadership expertise with a Higher National Diploma in Human Resource Management.
Beleive one other area I excel in is to inspire and influence other—teachers, parents, and children alike. I have mentored countless educators, guided parents with patience and empathy, and created branch centers to extend my reach to more communities.
Even after 25 years of hands-on service, my heart remains devoted to the children. I beleive deeply that investing in children and those who guide them is the most profound investment one can make in the future. Through my life’s work, I continue to ignite curiosity, compassion, and confidence in every child, educator, and community she touches.
Director
Asanka Kuruppu - Sri Lanka
From my earliest days, I carried an insatiable curiosity and a desire to understand the world around me. My fascination with automobiles became the gateway to a larger calling: teaching, guiding, and empowering others. While studying Automobile Engineering, I discovered a natural talent—I could explain, demonstrate, and inspire, helping my classmates grasp complex concepts with clarity and confidence.
This gift for teaching came to life at just 23, when I was appointed as an Automotive Instructor, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in education and training. Over the next decades, my work spanned schools, national vocational institutions, and international development projects, where I trained youth, mentored educators, and contributed to competency-based learning and entrepreneurship programs across Sri Lanka.
Parallel to my formal training career, I cultivated a deep passion for early childhood development. Through years of hands-on engagement, I learned to see the world through the eyes of a child, integrating practical, competency-based approaches into child-centered learning. My methodology is rooted in the belief that learning is most powerful when children actively explore, experiment, and create.
Guided by compassion, curiosity, and dedication, I devoted my life to uplifting communities, supporting teachers, and creating opportunities for children to thrive. I believe that true education goes beyond knowledge—it shapes character, confidence, and the future of a nation.
Through the founding of Rokidmo International Foundation, I have tried to bring this vision to life, building a space where innovation, care, and hands-on learning meet to empower children, teachers, and communities across Sri Lanka.
Director
Lakii Liyanage - Sweden
From my first product launch in London to leading cross-continental teams in New York, Warsaw, Stockholm, and Singapore, my career has been defined by a passion for creating seamless, intuitive user experiences. I believe that great products aren’t just built—they’re designed with empathy, insight, and a relentless focus on the end user.
Over the past 12+ years, I’ve guided diverse teams—sometimes over 120 strong—through the complexities of building scalable platforms for both financial markets and consumer technology. Whether defining a product vision, orchestrating agile sprints, or centralizing UX standards, I’ve learned that the best solutions emerge when user needs drive every decision.
My leadership style blends data-driven strategy with hands-on collaboration. I thrive on bringing together engineers, designers, and business stakeholders to turn ambitious ideas into products that delight users and deliver measurable business impact. From integrating AI and analytics to streamlining operations and onboarding, I always keep the user journey at the heart of innovation.
Leveraging some of my transferrable skills from a tier one organisation I wanted to work with something I truely believe can change the mind one day at times
Professional Background
GoldmanSachs - Executive Director (2013-Current)
Product Manager defining the strategy and design of Post Trade workflows across OTC and Securities.
Funding Coordinator/Advisor
Weronika Orlowska - Poland
Qualified commercial and corporate lawyer with 9 + years of experience, providing strategic and commercially focused guidance and legal advice to business and senior stakeholders. Majority of my experience is focused in the highly regulated insurance market across multiple solution lines.
I have a strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to take commercial considerations into account when providing legal advice. I am a motivated individual who demonstrates a can-do-attitude, proactivity and self-reliance, taking a solution-oriented view to commercial problems and risk mitigation.
Enthusiast of alternative dispute resolution. Certified mediator determined on strengthening functional competencies and improving professional skills. Partaker of numerous negotiation trainings and participant in international mediation competitions with unquestionable success.
Outside of the corporate world, I'm an integrative health coach and a license fitness instructor who helps career driven individuals transform their body/mind and improve their health.
Professional Background
AoN - Attoney at Law (2017-Current)
Providing risk assessment of number of data acquisitions and data analytics initiatives across the organisation along with providing legal, risk and compliance guidance to product and business owners on commercial risks, data use and its impact on Aon's global organisation
Advisor (Attoney-At-Law)
Dr. Chaminda Weerasiriwardana - Sri Lanka
Dr. Chaminda Weerasiriwardhana is a Senior Professional Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over nine years of specialized experience. He holds an MBBS from the University of Colombo, a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, and advanced qualifications in psychology and guidance.
He serves as a lecturer in counselling and psychology across leading institutions in Sri Lanka and is a member of the National Institute of Professional Counsellors and a life member of the Sri Lanka Medical Association.
Dr. Chaminda has contributed extensively to national-level training, including programs for principals, teachers, parents, and government ministries. His expertise spans child protection, parenting skills, mental health awareness, leadership development, and stress management.
He collaborates with Rokidmo International Foundation as a Lead Resource Person for Applied Psychological Awareness Programs, supporting educators, children, and parents in rural communities.
General Hospital Kandy - Senior Consellor and Pyschotherapist (Current)
Psychologist/Foundation Consultant
Raween Kanishka - Sri Lanka
Raveen Kanishka is a celebrated musician, singer, actor, and TV presenter, whose journey has been guided by passion, perseverance, and a deep love for the arts. From a young age, Raveen was drawn to music, though his parents and teachers encouraged him to pursue other academic paths. Undeterred, he followed his heart in his twenties, participating in a national reality music competition in Sri Lanka, where he won 2nd place—marking the beginning of a remarkable musical career.
Over the years, Raveen has become a well-known singer, performing for audiences of all ages, and has built a reputation for his ability to sing any song flawlessly, capturing the hearts of listeners. His creative talents expanded into acting for television and films, TV presenting, and music direction for stage dramas. To date, he has composed over 40 original songs, continually inspiring through his artistry and dedication.
Beyond his professional achievements, Raveen is a person of generosity and compassion. He frequently donates his earnings to support children and underprivileged communities, demonstrating a strong philanthropic character. Aligning with the vision and mission of Rokidmo International Foundation, he voluntarily serves as a Program Ambassador, lending his voice, creativity, and influence to uplift children and communities across Sri Lanka—without any financial benefit.
Raveen’s journey reflects the power of following one’s passion while using talent to make a positive impact, inspiring young people to dream boldly, persevere, and give back to society.
Professional Background
Singer/Actor/TV Presentor (Current)
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