Celebrating almost 12 years of multi-disciplinary experience in the realm of Information Technology, Nadini Sahabandu has been shortlisted for the final 3 for the Global Award for Achievement at TechWomen100 Awards 2021, organised by WeAreTechWomen and powered by Goldman Sachs. Out of the 3 shortlisted candidates, Nadini is the only Sri Lankan recognized for this award for her contribution to the field of information technology at a global scale.

Coming from a background of Product Management and Business Consulting, she currently serves the dual role of Regional Lead for Americas and Senior Manager – Client Services at Mitra Innovation. Having been born and raised in Sri Lanka, she has also lived and worked in USA, UK, Australia, and Sri Lanka, while serving clients across the globe, from Fortune 500 companies, and across the spectrum of small and medium enterprises, startups and entrepreneurs.

TechWomen100 Awards 2021 is an annual programme which receives thousands of nominations of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of technology. This event celebrates and recognizes emerging female talent for their contribution to the technology industry in various aspects from business transformation, mentoring, training, strategic initiatives, capability building, etc. Founded in 2015, WeAreTechWomen has helped thousands of women in tech enhance their careers through their events, conferences, and awards.

Throughout the career, Nadini has contributed to varied spectrum of companies from multinational corporations to SMEs as well as start-ups in transforming their digital journeys, across many countries such as USA, UK, Australia, Sri Lanka among others. With the experience she has gained over the years, she developed an interest to advise and mentor individuals to move into a career in tech from school leavers to individuals with experience in other industries, to people who have taken long career breaks and are just returning to the working community. Similarly, she has been extending her advice and mentorship to startups and have conducted trainings for students and industry groups alike.

Nadini has been an advocate of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and humanising tech. Carrying forward this passion, one of her more recent initiatives has been to create awareness on the role of teams and individuals in the IT industry in enabling diversity and inclusion in digital journeys, with a special focus on web accessibility. Within just a span of 2 months this programme has engaged 300+ individuals. Being a believer in the power of sharing knowledge, she has been passionately sharing her experience in spaces such as health tech, telecommunications, product management, business consulting, disability insurance and social services, etc. not just within Sri Lanka, but even beyond in multiple forums. She looks forward to continuing and expanding her contribution on creating curriculum and programs to attract more talent into the tech industry, while reminding everyone the key skills you need to have a career in tech is the curiosity to learn, and the will to keep going.

Being shortlisted for the award, Nadini had the following to say: “Over the years, both professionally and personally, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with people with disabilities, both in Sri Lanka as well as abroad. This made me realise the difference we can make to make life better for minority and underrepresented groups, and the significance and importance of doing our part to enable an environment that’s inclusive, regardless of our differences. Sometimes, a little act such as sharing your personal experience and stories can create a much bigger positive impact than you even realise. As a woman in tech, I believe I have a big part to play in enabling that inclusive culture – and so does each and every one of you, in your own ways.”

The final awards ceremony for TechWomen100 Awards 2021 is to be held in the month of December 2021.