Seated (L–R): Nadisha Bandara, General Manager – Marketing; Marshella Joachim, Deputy General Manager – Marketing; Kasuni De Silva, Assistant Manager – Design.
Standing (L–R): Nadisha Deheragoda, Senior General Manager – Group Human Resources; Heshala Rodrigo, Deputy General Manager – Marketing; Imali De Silva, General Manager – Marketing.
Brandix has set a 2027 target of 27% women in leadership within a broader empowerment framework. The goal is presented as structural change, not a numbers exercise. From HR to marketing, leaders describe a deliberate shift.
Talent systems have been redesigned, pathways clarified, and mentorship embedded into daily practice. Inclusion is measured through execution. Against this backdrop, Brandix spotlights women who are pulling up chairs for others.
Their stories show how policy becomes practice, and how one woman’s progress can widen the path for many.
Brandix targets 27% women in leadership by 2027 through IDEA – Inclusion, Diversity, Equity to Accelerate. As Group HR lead, what structural shift have you driven to make this goal inevitable?
Nadisha Deheragoda (Senior General Manager – Group Human Resources): The target required a structural reset. We redesigned our talent architecture and embedded equity into how we build capability, move talent, and assess leaders.
Our Graduate Trainee, Executive, and Management Development programmes, alongside targeted initiatives like the Rise for Her mentorship programme, operate as one integrated system. Early mentorship shaped my own journey, and the right support helped me build confidence and believe in my potential.
In my experience, it is consistent guidance and the opportunity to put learning into practice that make a goal truly achievable.
Marketing shapes narratives, inside and out. How have you used your seat to redefine female leadership at Brandix? In practice, what does “pulling up a chair” mean?
Nadisha Bandara (General Manager – Marketing): Marketing shapes culture. At Brandix, I model leadership that is decisive and empathetic, strategic and inclusive. Female leadership blends strength with sensitivity. I try to understand women’s unique needs and the difficult situations they face and respond with fairness and compassion. I consciously create equity when needed, recognising that equal opportunity sometimes requires differentiated support, especially along a woman’s life journey.
To me, “pulling up a chair” means intentionally creating space for women to speak, lead, challenge, and grow. When women rise together, organisations grow stronger, and I have personally seen that happen at Brandix.
#RiseForHer and G23 anchor Brandix’s gender equity agenda. Positioned between senior leaders and emerging talent, how do you turn mentorship into daily actions that advance women’s careers?
Heshala Rodrigo (Deputy General Manager – Marketing): Mentorship platforms like RiseForHer and G23 turn gender equity into action. I treat mentorship as a continuous dialogue, not an event.
Translating high-level guidance into daily moments means creating safe spaces, helping women spot skill gaps, take on stretch roles, and build confidence through real responsibility. Structured programmes build skilled, motivated teams.
Continuous mentorship shaped my own path. Steady guidance and honest feedback built resilience and prepared me for larger roles.
Brandix believes that one woman’s success lifts many others. What defining moment sparked that ripple effect in your career, and how does it shape your leadership today?
Imali De Silva (General Manager – Marketing): Brandix’s belief in a ripple effect mirrors my own path. A defining moment came when the company launched an on-site daycare centre. It began with just three children, including mine, but the impact was life-changing.
Knowing my child was close by and safe allowed me to focus on performing my best at work. Fifteen years on, the centre supports over 50 children, enabling many working mothers to continue their careers with peace of mind.
That decision shaped my leadership. One inclusive choice can empower many women.
As a woman building a creative career, what shaped your journey? How did Brandix’s inclusive culture give you confidence to pitch your ideas, and what would you tell a woman starting out?
Kasuni De Silva (Assistant Manager – Design): Building a creative career in a large corporation meant balancing imagination with structure. It’s not just about bold ideas; it demands clarity and execution.
I learned to trust my instincts and collaborate across teams and global partners. I believe in listening and welcome questions. When people feel heard, performance improves.
At Brandix, I have the confidence to contribute and challenge ideas. To a woman starting out, trust your perspective. Stay consistent and think boldly. Do not shrink to fit expectations. Your voice and values are strengths.
As Brandix works to dismantle the scarcity mindset that limits women’s advancement, in your leadership journey how have you pushed back against it?
Marshella Joachim (Deputy General Manager – Marketing): I’ve never believed in the idea that only one woman can rise. I focus on company goals, not comparisons. When one woman succeeds, others gain confidence and opportunity.
A meaningful example was when two team members sought larger roles. I steered them towards a joint project where they collaborated, shared ideas, and delivered strong results. Both grew in skill and confidence.
For me, collective success means sharing knowledge, celebrating wins, and advancing together.