Good Life X (GLX) recently announced leadership changes to position the organization for expanded impact and growth. On January 2, 2025, Emma de Silva became the Chief Executive Officer, while Christina Gunasinghe became the Chief Operating Officer. These appointments mark a significant milestone in GLX’s evolution as a leader in regenerative innovation.
Alongside these new roles, GLX Founder and outgoing Chief Executive Randhula de Silva will transition into the dual roles of Chairperson and Director of Innovation and Thought Leadership. Vihangun Ariyaratne, the outgoing COO, will take on the Director of Strategy and Sustainable Growth role. This leadership transition underscores GLX’s commitment to building a resilient and regenerative ecosystem that fosters sustainable growth.
Emma de Silva is a first-generation Sri Lankan American who has been integral to GLX since 2021. Her blend of global experience and local insight positions her perfectly to lead GLX into its next phase. Her vision is to harness Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and innovative spirit to build sustainable models that inspire global impact. Christina Gunasinghe, who has contributed to GLX’s work since 2023, brings extensive experience in corporate and startup growth sectors. Her commitment to operational excellence will be pivotal in strengthening GLX’s foundation and enabling scalable, purpose-driven solutions.
Connecting Sri Lanka’s Value to the World
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, GLX is committed to going further. Its regenerative business models and practices aim to reclaim, restore, renew, and re-present systems that manage social and economic needs while preserving the integrity of nature for generations to come. By integrating Sri Lanka’s natural abundance, cultural richness, and resilience, GLX is creating solutions that resonate on a global scale.
“Our work represents the belief in the goodness we have in our island. By fostering collaborations, we aim to bring Sri Lanka to the world and the world to Sri Lanka,” said Emma de Silva. Through initiatives integrating local wisdom with global expertise, GLX seeks to elevate Sri Lanka as a hub for regenerative solutions addressing pressing issues like climate change, food security, and circular economies.
Innovating to Solve Pressing Issues
GLX’s Theory of Change outlines its vision for a regenerative, equitable, and thriving economy in which businesses, creative communities, and individuals work symbiotically with nature and society. Recognizing the challenges of an extractive and unsustainable global economic system, GLX intends to catalyse change by taking a dual approach that targets both the supply and demand sides of the economy.
On the supply side, GLX aims to enable businesses to adopt regenerative and inclusive business models by creating and applying tools like the THRIVE Canvas, design labs, and immersive, tailored programmes. It also facilitates regenerative innovation, investment, and global market access for startups and SMEs championing sustainable solutions.
On the demand side, GLX collaborates with artists, creators, and storytellers to reshape and amplify cultural narratives around consumption and sustainability and fosters creative initiatives that make nature-positive solutions aspirational, relatable, and actionable.
Through regenerative design, GLX focuses on creating systems with elements inspired by nature and Eastern philosophies that can renew and replenish themselves. It steers away from extractive, single-use models. This approach supports a circular, closed-loop economy that addresses ecological and social challenges in the global South while regenerating Sri Lanka’s abundant resources.
A Vision for the Future
GLX’s approach is grounded in systemic innovation and has long championed innovative methods to solve deep-rooted issues. In its next chapter, GLX plans to:
- Champion nature-positive solutions: Develop innovative approaches to address regional issues such as food security, climate impact, overtourism, and wellbeing.
- Advance regeneration and inclusivity across industries: Enable the private sector to transition from extractive practices to regenerative hubs.
- Shape narratives and behaviours: Engage the creative and cultural sectors to inspire and educate society about sustainable choices for a thriving future.
- Build inclusive connections: Foster collaboration between creators, innovators, academia, industry, and communities to co-create global futures.
“By integrating Sri Lanka’s values of harmony with nature into scalable, inclusive, and actionable models, we can offer solutions that transform our region and resonate globally,” Randhula de Silva said.
Long-Term Impact
Emma, Christina, Randhula, and Vihangun bring complementary strengths to the table, ensuring that GLX’s core values and vision remain at the heart of its growth. Together, they are committed to crafting a legacy of innovation, sustainability, and empowerment—a true testament to the power of regenerative leadership.
GLX aims to transform economic systems, influence societal values, and achieve equitable growth by addressing urgent challenges such as climate change, inequality, and overconsumption. This dual approach to supply and demand ensures a future where innovation meets cultural and societal transformation, leading to a Good Life for all.