Academics Group and IvyPlus Network launch ‘IVY Girls Lead’ Sri Lanka Edition

• Initiative to transform young women into inspiring future leaders

Academics Group, Sri Lanka’s first cross-sector education think tank, has collaborated with IvyPlus Network, a global professional network of alumni from Ivy League and other leading universities worldwide, to launch IVY Girls Lead (IGL) in Sri Lanka. The program is designed for those aged 17 to 23.

IGL Sri Lanka Edition is a 10-day online certificate program designed to inspire young girls to become leaders of positive impact. The program runs from 8-18 December from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. virtually. IGL gives young leaders insight into themselves, their interpersonal relationships and their skill dynamics so they can become accomplished in any field they choose. This researched-based program is optimised to create a safe space that trains participants in critical thinking, communication, self-awareness, confidence and relationship building. We hope to create a tribe of strong, independent females who are equipped and empowered to take on a competitive world. The online program comprises of group discussions, self-analysis and activities. There are 10 days of live workshops, with three months of mentorship support thereafter. You register go to​ https://www.ivyplusnetwork.com/girlslead.

The program will feature some of Sri Lanka’s most successful women leaders and innovators who have excelled in their fields. In addition, the program will also provide a platform for aspiring young females to interact with internationally acclaimed women leaders.

IvyPlus Network is a well-renowned global professional network of alumni from top global universities, founded by Swati Sahni, a successful entrepreneur, an academic and an alumnus of Harvard. Swati has worked in the education policy space for over a decade with organisations including UNICEF, World Bank and Ministry of Human Resource Development, and has a Masters in International Education Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she was a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar.

Academics Group is Sri Lanka’s first cross-sector education think-tank with a vision to help create a more open and connected education system. It’s based in Colombo and focused on education reform, technology and innovation. The Academics Group was founded by a group of top professionals from cross sectoral backgrounds.

“After India and the Middle East, excited to take our programs Ivy Young Entrepreneur and Ivy Girls Lead to Sri Lanka next! We are partnering with the Academics Group to bring the programs to aspiring future leaders across Sri Lanka,” stated Swati on launching the program.

“We are excited about this partnership and the impact #IvyGirlsLead program will have on our super talented and ambitious girls. Academics Group is focused on education reform through innovation and technology with the vision to help create a more open and connected education system, and we are pleased with the response for our collective efforts,” added Academics Group co-founder and CEO, Kandeban Balendran. Kandeban is a Harvard fellow and was recently featured by the prestigious Harvard Business School-titled “Dreamer” among 10 global change-makers from the global alumni network of Harvard.

Some of our distinguished faculty members and mentors are: 

Hemas Holdings PLC Group CEO Katuri Chellaraja Wilson (Sri Lanka), the first female Group CEO of a public quoted conglomerate in Sri Lanka, an Alumnus of Harvard Business School and recognised as being one of the 12 Top Women Change-Makers in the country by the Parliament of Sri Lanka and USAID.

Dr Sandy Chong (Australia), International multi-award winner in consultancy, education and philanthropy. She is Harvard alumnus, Founder of Verity Consulting, National Board Member of United Nationals Association of Australia, and State Director of Harvard Women Australia. She is also the winner of Asia’s Top Sustainability Woman of the Year.

Vision Finder International Founder Christy Rutherford (USA). She is a globally recognised leader, keynote speaker, leadership coach and author, who has published five bestselling books on Amazon. A Harvard Business School Alumna, she’s also a certified Executive Leadership Coach from Georgetown University.

Asia Society India Centre CEO Inakshi Sobti (India). She is an Alumna of London School of Economics and the former Head South Asia, Community Initiatives of Harvard Business School India Research Centre, and an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry.

Sonia Dandona Hirdaramani (New York/ Sri Lanka), Investor; Member of the Young Advisory Council for Columbia College; Founder of the Ivy League Alumni of Sri Lanka Forum; Board Member of United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission. Formerly at Morgan Stanley, New York.

Sonia Dandona Hirdaramani (New York/ Sri Lanka). A member of the Young Advisory Council for the College, Class Agent International Vice-Chair, Regional ARC Chair, Class Correspondent of Columbia University, and a Board Member of United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission.

IvyPlus Network CEO and Founder Swati Sahni (India). An alumnus of Harvard, educator and a successful entrepreneur, she has worked in the education policy space for over a decade with organisations including UNICEF, World Bank and Ministry of Human Resource Development in India.

HumanSense Founder and CCO Ruchi Sharma (India/ Sri Lanka). Personal Growth Officer of Women Empowered Global, she is an international multi-award winning creative leader, speaker and mentor. She is also a member of the New York Festival Advisory Board Jury of Adfest and Gerety Awards. The programme will also feature 3 speakers from Sri Lanka sharing their inspiring stories with programme participants: Achala Samaradiwakara, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Good Market Global; Dr. Shanika Arsecularatne, Director, Christell Luxury Wellness; Selyna Peiris, Business Head & Director of Selyn.  

 “IVY Girls Lead” will help students learn: Self-Knowledge – Identify your values and how to leverage your strengths; Positive Affirmation – Increasing confidence in your ideas and taking risks; Being Authentic – Embrace and accept your unique self; Creating Connections – Build relationships with peers and mentors; Being a Leader – Learn what it means to be a leader and inspire others; Breaking Gender Stereotypes – Break stereotypes on the kind of careers women can pursue; Managing the Digital World – Learn how to manage yourselves digitally by drawing boundaries to stay emotionally healthy.

IVY Girls Lead is from 8 to 18 December  from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. – online learning.

For further information and course details, students and/or parents could speak to Academics representative on +94 768 909 983 or email: [email protected]. Alternatively, you could access the registration links provided in the article for the programme. Participation is limited.