ROSHANIE JAYASUNDERA-MORAES

She is an Executive Vice President of John Keells Holdings PLC. She is the Chief Marketing Officer of the John Keells Holdings Property Group. In 2017, she was the recipient of a Gold Award for Career Achievement at the Top50 Professional Career Women’s Awards hosted by Women in Management, Sri Lanka. She is the current President of the Council for Business with Britain and the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Association of Shopping Malls. She is an alumna of Holy Family Convent, and she holds qualifications in both CIMA and CIM. She holds an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from PIM, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. She Can and she is a kind, empathetic leader who puts her team and others before herself. She is determined to leave this country in a better state for future generations, and she continues to engage in work which she believes will create a positive impact in society. She is astute, resourceful, innovative and diplomatic; Roshanie Jayasundera-Moraes.

Share with us a summary of your corporate journey?

After my initial years at Browns Tours and Aitken Spence Group, I joined John Keells Holdings in 1991. I have spent thirty years at JKH working across three key sectors; Transportation, Retail and Property Development.

Share with us a summary of your personal journey; from classroom to boardroom?

School years were the best years of my life. I participated in everything that came my way, and that really helped get me out of my shell; my introverted self. Even today, if for a fleeting moment I doubt myself, I simply sit back and reminisce my time in school and the activities I was involved in, and I immediately bounce back. Straight after my Advanced Level examinations, I moved to Denmark on an AFS Scholarship and attended a school for a year whilst living with a Danish family. I learnt the language too. This was a very memorable year and an experience that made a tremendous impact on me. I feel that it contributed much towards building confidence and to what I am today. Upon my return, my first job was in the Tourism sector and upon completing a couple of years there I joined Singapore Airlines at Aitken Spence. I spent five years with Singapore Airlines and joined John Keells Holdings in 1991 and worked across three sectors; Transportation, Retail and Property Development.

What are the most important attributes of successful leaders today?

I personally believe that leadership has nothing to do with a title or a position. It’s when we equate leadership to a title or position, that we go wrong! All through history, some of the greatest leaders who made a positive impact had no title or position. If you do hold a position of power then it’s imperative that you use it for the greater good of your team, your company and society. It’s a privilege and it is important that the position and power is used with great responsibility as you have the ability to impact the lives of others. I also feel that when you are in a leadership position your calling is to serve. We must realise that it is to serve others and not to serve oneself, or expect others to serve you. I strongly feel that the power pyramid must be pivoted on its head and the top should be at the bottom serving and enabling the vast number of people in the organisation; most of whom are front liners who actually are the face of the company and the brand. Servant leadership is the need of the hour.

How did you move forward when everyone kept telling you that your suggestions or ideas won't work?

Some ideas, I gave up, some I argued and implemented, whilst some I did anyway and got into a lot of trouble! But, more often than not, these very ideas were endorsed by others later and became an integral part of the overall strategy.

Tell us three exciting or game changing projects you have executed during your career?

There are many and they have all been very exciting and stressful at the same time. The lessons learnt were also many.

Do you ever think – “Am I crazy?"

Yes, sometimes! But when I look around, I realise everyone is crazy. We all have our quirks and the sooner you realize that, the quicker you become normal; ordinary!

How do you differentiate yourself?

I don’t think I am any different to any other Sri Lankan woman. I am simply blessed abundantly. We are all blessed, it’s simply a matter of how we perceive our blessings and how we make use of the blessings to better our lives and the lives of those around us.

What is your 'why?’

It continuously changes. Initially, it was about being successful for myself, and over time it evolved to include other important people in my life and today, it is about creating a positive impact in society and making a difference in the lives of others. It is also about contributing positively to grow our country we all call home. We all have a collective duty to do more for the betterment of our country.

Who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship?

Quite a few. I look up to and seek inspiration from those who have a different point of view, a better point of view, who has been exposed more, who possess more expertise than me in an industry or field of study, etc. Lately, I have also enjoyed reverse mentoring, absorbing new insights and opinions from the young people I work with. I do feel the world is in safe hands; the Gen Z youngsters seem to be more conscious than our generation.

Your biggest regret?

None. I don’t believe in having regrets. I think all experiences teach a valuable lesson, even if they were mistakes.

What is your biggest fear and how do you manage it?

I have many fears that change from time to time. I leave all my worries with God. He always helps me find solutions and enables me to cross all hurdles with ease.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

The friendships that I have developed over the years, that refuse to go away! Thankfully.

How do you keep generating new ideas for your business?

When you mind is relaxed, it’s easy to think of new things. Further, if you expand your circle and ensure you are exposed to areas that are outside your industry or company, you are able to draw parallels and sometimes benchmark.

What do you want to achieve next?

Continue to be engaged in work that will create a positive impact in the lives of others and also make a difference for the future generations and our planet. I would also like to gain experience in an industry I have not engaged in thus far.

If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career, what would it be?

Don’t worry, don’t overly stress, everything will be alright at the end. So, chill and take it easy and enjoy the journey.

What was the biggest rookie mistake you made when just starting out?

Too many! I made so many mistakes, looking back I’m just glad I survived it all.

Have you been harassed or discriminated against?

Discriminated – no. Even if I was, I probably didn’t realize it. Harassed – yes, like every other woman on the streets, in public transport, etc. It’s definitely getting worse now in public places.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Doing what I like at a slower pace and hopefully giving back to society.

How do you want to be remembered one day?

I don’t desire to be remembered. I believe that we are all on a journey and once that journey has ended, our part is over; we have completed our cycle. Same way, once you complete your career or end your corporate journey in an organization and move on, that’s it! I don’t think anyone needs to build monuments and remembrance stones. There will always be others who will come after you and continue in their own style and manner. That’s the cycle of life. We come. We go. Life begins. Life ends. Life goes on.