Shanil Samarakoon

My story has unfolded over several continents - Africa, Asia and Australia - and taken many fulfilling twists and turns! In the midst of an undergraduate business degree, I thrust myself into a role coordinating post-Tsunami aid and development projects in war-torn regions of Sri Lanka. This was a life-changing experience and set me on a path towards establishing organisations, and an abiding commitment to engaging in work that improves the lives of others. Fast forward to today, I am a seasoned social researcher, educator, and international development specialist with a rich range of experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sector. With this experience, I bring a rich range of transferrable skills - from managing cross-cultural teams and fundraising, to engaging in rigorous research and managing projects. All this is underpinned by a commitment to lifelong learning. As a researcher, I hold a PhD in human geography with a specialization in energy justice. I have experience working on interdisciplinary research teams on projects examining issues of energy access and use in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as Australia. This has involved mixed-method research, and extensive engagement with industry partners and stakeholders. My work has been published in top social research journals such as Ecological Economics, Energy Research and Social Science and Environmental Sociology, as well as The Conversation. As an educator, I have 12 years of experience teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in reputed Australian universities such as the University of New South Wales, and the University of Sydney. My responsibilities have involved designing, convening, lecturing and tutoring across a range of courses focused on sustainability, ethics, corporate social responsibility, and cross-cultural management. As an international development specialist, I have 15 years of experience as a social entrepreneur, having founded two social impact organisations - Empower Projects and Zuwa Energy. This has involved developing business plans and project proposals, fundraising over USD 2 million , managing cross-cultural teams, as well as measuring and communicating our impact to a range of stakeholders. Across this work, I've worked alongside a range of partner organisations including USAID, UNEP, UNESCO and impact-focused investors such as Venture Builder.

Education

• Bachelor of Business and Commerce Monash University (2003 — 2006)
• Permaculture Design Course Milkwood (2011 — 2011)
• School for Social Entrepreneurs (2009 — 2010)

Companies

• Co-Founder & Director (Research and Partnerships) Zuwa Energy (2016)
• Co-Founder and Executive Director Empower Projects (2009)
• Lecturer The Centre for Social Impact (2017 — 2021)
• Lecturer UNSW Business School (2016 — 2018)
• Learning and Teaching Advisor UNSW Business School (2014 — 2017)
• Learning Consultant and Tutor UNSW Business School (2010 — 2014)
• Project Manager Simple Wisdom (2005 — 2007)