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Thathsara Palliyaguru

Thathsara Palliyaguru

Business developer and Economic History researcher embedded in sustainability studies • Dedicated and full of grit, an excellent team player with outstanding analytical, presentation and interpersonal skills • ENFJ personality

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Who is Sara

Myers-Briggs ENFJ personality type who is a community builder. Key strengths lie in exemplary effective communications. Business developer and Economic History researcher embedded in sustainability studies. Dedicated and full of grit, an excellent team player with outstanding analytical, presentation and interpersonal skills.

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Skåne tech community embraced diversity at Malmö Pride

As part of the WorldPride 2021 celebration, Skåne Startups teamed up with Malmö Pride to bring the entire community together to celebrate diversity and empower entrepreneurs of all genders

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WiE Breakfast at Hetch

Some of the most innovative and entrepreneurial women gathered at Hetch Helsingborg

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Discussions at UN Headquarters New York

One on One discussions with UNGA president Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on Economic Development for developing nations

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Getting Down to Business

BMCC News: Thathsara Palliyaguru was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa NY State Academic Team and a recipient of the Abner B. Rosenfield Award

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Work Experience

UNOPS
UNOPS S3i Innovation Centre in Sweden | Malmö, Sweden
Program Assistant / Innovation Analyst | JAN 2022 - PRESENT
  • Mapped global ESG innovation ecosystems and scouted startups for UNOPS Innovation Project
  • Performed administrative tasks according to encoded instructions from UNOPS-HQ in Helsinki
  • Project coordination for development of timelines, created schedules and oversaw progress
  • Managed event coordination to promote S3i Innovation Center as an ecosystem powerhouse
  • Analyzed and entertained data for the ease of use for the innovation centre team
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Malmö Stad | Malmö, Sweden
Innovation Analyst | Oct 2021 - Jan 2022
  • Analyzed innovation activities and the startup ecosystem in Lund Malmö Region
  • Conducted research on the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Skåne Region
  • Bring insights to events done by Venture Cup, RISE, Goto10, Venture Lab and Ideon Innovations
  • Breakout Leader at Grow Invest 2021
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Skåne Startups | Malmö, Sweden
Program Lead in Women in Entrepreneurship | Jan 2021 - Sep 2021
  • Moderator and main correspondent for Malmö Pride for World Pride LGBTQIA+ people in entrepreneurship
  • Maintain strategic communications for women in entrepreneurship programs in Skåne region
  • Program coordination in networking events for women in entrepreneurship in Skåne region
  • Attained the Venture Lab Grant to enhance and expand operations to the Nordics
  • Attract international angel investors, CVCs and VCs to fund startups owned by women entrepreneurs
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180 DC Consulting | Lund, Sweden
Partnership Director | May 2021 - December 2021
  • Conduct corporate communications with stakeholders and partners about strategic business goals such as EY Sverige
  • Recruiting and acquiring talented consultants, mentors, and partnerships
  • Strategic and operational planning and execution of the Lund chapter
  • Recruiting and acquiring talented consultants, mentors and partnerships
  • Effectively communicate and promote partner benefits
Strategic Enterprise Consultant | February 2021 - May 2021
  • Provide tailored solutions to asses market potential and drive sustainability agenda – UN SDGs
  • Maintains communications across platforms to increase sustainability awareness
  • Analyzing business and growth models for startups and social enterprises
  • Develop value propositions addressing current issues faced by the organizations
  • Work with a team of highly skilled consultants to deliver optimum results to the client
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Healing Hands - A Foundation for Healing Among Nations | Matara, Sri Lanka
Project Coordinator | April 2019 - Jan 2020
  • Identify and track relevant upcoming funding opportunities through partner relationships and international nongovernmental organizations
  • Create workshops regarding women's entrepreneurship and aid in small business development
  • Represent the organization's business development interests at relevant meetings and donor specific peer networks
  • Manage proposal submissions, oversight of technical design and quality control processes
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Preethi Motors | Matara, Sri Lanka
Business Specialist | April 2019 - January 2020
  • Identifying new sales leads and increasing sales by 10%
  • Internal and external communications to maintain relationships with various stakeholders
  • Establishing company goals, policies and procedures and carrying them out
  • Overseeing organizational financial and budgeting activities
  • Overseeing staffing, training and hiring of new employees
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Artists & Fleas – NYC | New York, USA
Sales and Marketing Specialist | June 2017 - April 2019
  • Provide unparalleled customer service, embodying the company values of a customer-first business to capture and maintain client relationships
  • Exceed sales expectations, completing 100% of monthly and yearly sales goals
  •  Grow corporate clientele by strengthening vendor relationships, increased product offerings and updated the ordering process and the presentation of products to clients
  • Conduct market research and analyze trends to identify new marketing opportunities
  • Develop and create marketing materials, such as sales and product collateral, and ensure brand guidelines are met
  • Write, proofread, and edit creative and technical content across different mediums
  • Work with external agencies and vendors to execute marketing programs
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Chamber of Commerce | New York, USA
Internship – Project Coordination | Sep 2013 - May 2014
  • Updated Chamber website and social media accounts
  • Filed and performed other office tasks
  • Member outreach and conducted call campaigns to inform members about new events
  • Project coordination for developing timelines, create schedules, and oversee progress
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Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York, USA
College Assistant, Student Affairs | April 2013 - June 2017
  • Assist faculty and students with course registration
  • Provide admission information via call center and live chat
  • Disseminate BMCC information to prospective and current students at BMCC Information desk
  • Inscribed the live chat script and lead the team to implement live chat to BMCC admissions web page
  • Introduction and implementation team member of the “CUNYfirst” System to the BMCC student/faculty community

Leadership Experience

United Nations
  • International Monitory Fund for Sri Lankan Model United Nations -Executive Member
  • Harvard Model United Nations – Delegate
  • Indian Model United Nations - Delegate
  • Sri Lankan Model United Nations - Delegate
Academic
  • Lund University International Mentor
  • Goldman Sachs Leadership Program
  • Deloitte Impact Day Program
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
  • New York Foreign Policy Association Fellow
  • New York Financial Society Fellow
  • Student Faculty Disciplinary Committee
  • Global Student Certificate
  • CUNY Student Welcome Ambassador
  • Peer Achievement Leader

Interpersonal Skills

  • Corporate Communications
  • Negotiation & Persuasion
  • Active Listening
  • Audience Analysis
  • Leadership & Community Building
  • Teamwork

Computer Skills

Microsoft Office
90%
Social Media Platform Management
75%
Data Analysis: STATA, SPSS and Gretl
65%
Adobe Suite
60%

Honors | Awards

  • Lund Global Scholarship Recipient
  • Phi Theta Kappa All USA New York State Academic Team Award
  • BMCC Certificate of Merit
  • BMCC Foundation Scholarship
  • Dean’s List, City University of New York
  • Abner B. Rosenfield Outstanding Scholarship and Citizenship Award
  • Weissman Center for International Business- Global Student Certificate – Most Dedicated Student Award
  • CUNY Academic Excellence Award for International students

Languages

  • English
  • Sinhala
  • French - Intermediate
  • Swedish - Basic

Education

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Lund University, School of Economics and Management | Lund, Sweden

MSc in Innovation and Global Sustainable Development

Aug 2020 - present

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Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business | New York, USA

BBA in International Business

Aug 2014 - May 2016

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Baruch College, Marxe School of Public and International Affairs | New York, USA

MIA in International Affairs

Aug 2019 - Jan 2020

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Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York, USA

Associate of Arts, May 2014 (Honors) / Major: Business Administration

August 2012 – May 2014

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University of Paris Dauphine | Paris, France

ERASMUS - International Business and Economics

Aug 2015 - Jan 2016