SLIM hosts ‘Dare to be Different with Sandro Forte’ to inspire personal growth, leadership excellence

Sandro Forte (FPSA, CSP)

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for marketing in Sri Lanka, hosted ‘Dare to be Different with Sandro Forte’ on 20 October 2026 at Monarch Imperial, Colombo, bringing international expertise in personal development and leadership to Sri Lankan professionals and business leaders.

The initiative aims to empower the marketing fraternity, uplift professionals, and drive the growth and advancement of the marketing industry in Sri Lanka.

SLIM President Enoch Perera said: “As part of my Presidential vision, ‘International Marketing – Taking Sri Lankan Marketing to the World,’ I believe SLIM must create greater access to global knowledge, perspectives and experiences for Sri Lankan professionals. After seven years, SLIM is proud to once again host an international event of this calibre, marking an important step towards connecting our marketing fraternity with global expertise. Equally important, our partnership with the Indira Cancer Trust as the beneficiary partner connects professional development with a meaningful social purpose. We want SLIM events to create value not only for participants, but also for the wider community.”

Featuring Sandro Forte (FPSA, CSP), an internationally acclaimed speaker and entrepreneur with experience spanning more than 90 countries, the workshop comprised two specialised sessions. The morning session, ‘Peak Performance Mastery: 5 Steps to Personal and Professional Excellence’, focused on mindset, communication and personal effectiveness, while the evening session, ‘Dare to Lead: Building High-Performance, Future-Ready Organisations’, explored leadership, performance coaching, organisational development and business sustainability.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative under SLIM’s Presidential agenda, the program will also support the Indira Cancer Trust, connecting professional development with a meaningful social cause. Through this partnership, the Indira Cancer Trust will be supported through the initiative, extending the value of the program beyond professional development and contributing to the support of cancer patients and their families. The collaboration reflects SLIM’s commitment to creating opportunities for professional learning while also supporting initiatives that contribute to meaningful social impact.

Project Chair Mihirinie Fonseka said: “As Project Chair, it is rewarding to see this initiative bring international expertise to Sri Lanka, creating a valuable platform for our marketing fraternity and wider business community to learn, grow and embrace new perspectives. Beyond professional development, our partnership with the Indira Cancer Trust as the beneficiary partner adds a meaningful social purpose to the program, reflecting our commitment to creating an impact that extends beyond the event itself.”

SLIM CEO Chamil Wickremasinghe said: “Today’s business environment demands professionals who can adapt to change, lead with confidence and translate knowledge into action. This initiative reflects SLIM’s commitment to equipping individuals and organisations with practical insights while promoting social responsibility.”

Through initiatives such as ‘Dare to be Different with Sandro Forte’, SLIM continues to advance professional development, leadership excellence and industry engagement while encouraging positive change and meaningful contributions to society.