#Travel and Tourism
OUR MISSION
At Women 4Change, we are passionate about advancing gender equality in tourism, breaking down barriers, and creating a more inclusive and diverse industry. Our mission is to foster a supportive environment where women in tourism can thrive, feel safe and lead.
We recognize the immense potential of women as drivers of change in the industry and are dedicated to providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. By promoting gender equality and diversity in tourism, we can work together towards a future where women have equal representation, recognition, and leadership opportunities in all aspects of the tourism sector.
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Join us in our journey towards empowerment and equality in Sri Lanka's tourism industry. Together, we can make a difference!
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#Women 4Change
Our team
We are a team of passionate women who are committed to making a positive change in the tourism industry by advocating for gender equality and more female participation. Our team members are all women working and connected to the tourism sector in Sri Lanka, coming from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of expertise, including; sustainable tourism, travel, human rights, hospitality, community development, sales & marketing, and women empowerment. Together, we work towards our common goal to create an inclusive and equitable tourism sector.
Thushni de Silva
Thushni has been in the tourism industry for over a decade working for Sri Lankan and British travel companies to create immersive and meaningful holidays through authentic, sustainable and engaging experiences that push clients an inch off the grid. Her work has lead her to explore the country in depth, understanding the nuances of niche tourism and the many opportunities and pitfalls that the industry can provide. Thus, understanding the need for sustainability and responsibility from an environmental, cultural and social perspective. As a woman who is often on the field and operating within different leadership roles, she is a strong advocate for the opportunities for women to shine within the scope of tourism, at every level.
Irstel Jansen
Irstel is the founder of Women 4Change and a human rights consultant working for equitable rights for women and youth within Sri Lanka's tourism sector. She was instrumental in establishing SriLankaInStyle, a luxury travel brand founded in 2005 that continues to thrive today. Currently, Irstel serves as a Director at Sustainable Sri Lanka, dedicated to enhancing sustainability standards in travel.Certified in gender equality by UNWTO and in children's rights by Harvard University, she trains travel industry stakeholders in child protection and gender equality. As a social entrepreneur, Irstel channels her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into initiatives that drive positive change in the lives of children, women, and communities.
Dee Gibson
Dee is an award winning British Sri Lankan designer and hotelier who splits her time between London and Sri Lanka. In 2017, she built Kalukanda House to reconnect with her heritage. Dee has a vision to create a space for women to use their voices, she believes that there is a wealth of dynamism and talent in Sri Lanka which must be reframed and highlighted. In 2023 Dee launched HERA Project X Sri Lanka to showcase innovative Creative Female Entrepreneurs who run their businesses with Social Impact. Kalukanda House was listed in "2024 Conde Nast Best Places To Visit", noted for their retreats and female empowerment initiatives. Dee runs events in Sri Lanka and UK to empower women in business.
Dinushka Chandrasena
Dinushka has been actively working in the Tourism industry in Sri Lanka for the past 20 years. She was instrumental in launching Sri Lanka’s first Travel Trade monthly in 2003 – Travel Talk Asia, elevating the destination's visibility on global platforms. With her experience in hospitality, airlines, and tourism consultancy, she has gained a comprehensive understanding of the industry's demands and challenges. As Managing Editor/Director of Travel Talk Asia and Director of Operations for Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, she continues to drive impactful initiatives and uses her voice to advocate for women's advancement in tourism. Dinushka serves as President of Skai International Colombo and was voted one of the Top 100 Global Influencers in the Events industry by EVENTEX.
Anurangi Mendis
Anurangi is a Chartered Architect based in Colombo and the South of Sri Lanka and a graduate from the City School of Architecture. She's an Associate Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and the founder of Hope Market, a Social Enterprise empowering Sri Lankan female artisans. Through Hope Market, she supports and promotes their craftsmanship, connects them to broader markets, and inspires them to dream bigger in their entrepreneurial journeys.
She is also a Co-Founder of Colive.Me, a Coliving focused on sustainable and community-driven living spaces in Ahangama. Anurangi's dedication to social activities in the southern region of Sri Lanka demonstrates her commitment to uplifting communities and making a positive impact.
Andrea Goonesekera
After starting her career in banking, Andrea moved to the tourism industry in 2009 for a short stint after which she moved to Canada. However, Andrea’s love for Sri Lanka kept calling her back home, and so she returned to the country in 2013 and has been involved in the tourism industry since then. After almost a decade working for some of the leading Sri Lankan travel agencies specializing in luxury travel, Andrea took up a new challenge in 2021, working for a group of luxury hotels and villas. Andrea has been instrumental in the empowerment of women in tourism during her career, with the curation of hosted tourism experiences with women in various areas of the country as well as her participation and guidance in many women’s empowerment projects throughout the past few years.