Sanuri De Silva Wimalatunga
District 22
Citizenship: Sri Lanka
- Pursuing bachelor’s degree in finance, Griffith University, Australia
Sanuri De Silva Wimalatunga is completing her honors year in finance at Griffith University after receiving the international student distinction scholarship. Growing up in Sri Lanka, a developing country, she witnessed firsthand the daily trials and challenges people faced due to the lack of opportunities, resources, capital and education. She has seen the limitations of female independence and seen families struggle due to bad financial decisions. Having witnessed her mother’s leadership in successfully handling headwinds faced by their family business, Sanuri understands the power of financial knowledge and decided to educate herself about the financial markets, their framework and the impact of female-led businesses.
Knowing there was much to learn from the way businesses and corporations operated, Sanuri decided to pursue her degree in Australia. During her time at Griffith, she worked as a tutor and Peer Assisted Study Sessions leader, research assistant and Griffith Business School Bloomberg Trading Room manager. Sanuri also volunteered as a Griffith Business School student leader and a Griffith Mate, led the Commerce Society as secretary and represented Griffith at both national and international competitions. Furthermore, she was a charter member and president of the Rotary Club of Griffith Gold Coast and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for her outstanding commitment to her community.
Sanuri has interned for different financial institutions in Australia and Sri Lanka and plans to have a career in investment banking. After graduating, she intends to pursue a postgraduate degree and obtain her Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter. Ultimately, Sanuri’s goal is to be in a position where she can help enhance financial literacy among individuals, promote more female-led businesses, and inspire women from minority backgrounds to execute their vision and pursue careers in non-traditional sectors.