Damayanthi Ramalingam is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse range of experiences in the fields of information technology, education, cyber security, and gender and development. With a career spanning over a decade, Damayanthi has made significant contributions in various roles, showcasing her expertise and leadership capabilities.

As the Founder and Managing Director of iSeeQ Private Limited since October 2012, Damayanthi has been instrumental in driving the company's success. Simultaneously, Damayanthi serves as the Founder, Manager, and Senior Lecturer at QAacademy, a prominent educational institution, where she teaches numerous modules for students pursuing a Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) offered by the University of Colombo. 

In addition to these, Damayanthi has been conducting cyber security programs for American Corner since 2020. Furthermore, she has held the esteemed role of Freelance Trainer and Consultant in the software industry, specializing in technology skill training, for over a decade.

Since September 2019, Damayanthi has been actively engaged in noteworthy projects related to Gender and Development, collaborating with renowned gender specialists. Her contributions encompass various activities, such as creating trainer manuals for women's entrepreneurship development in non-conventional technical fields, translating gender and development modules and conducting training sessions for trainers and field officers in gender and development. She has also participated in civil society submissions concerning women's roles in transforming food systems and she has been involved in supporting new women entrepreneurs.

Inspired by her IVLP experience, Damayanthi is currently also deeply involved in research on Women Entrepreneurship in the Context of Sustainable Development: Exploring Both Challenges and Opportunities.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Empowering Women in Cybersecurity (EWiC)

Damayanthi implemented a multifaceted project aimed at empowering and advancing women in the field of cybersecurity. Through a combination of virtual and in-person workshops, mentoring initiatives, internships, and community-building efforts, Damayanthi directly impacted the lives of 30 women pursuing careers in cybersecurity. The impact was palpable, with participants reporting substantial improvements in their technical skills through comprehensive assessments. A noteworthy outcome was the active pursuit of globally recognized professional certifications by a significant portion of the participants, signifying a commendable step toward professional recognition. Damayanthi's commitment extended to securing internships for participants, offering them valuable real-world experience crucial for their career advancement.

A key element of Damayanthi's project was an impactful in-person awareness event that drew participants from the local community, workplaces, and educational institutions. This event played a crucial role in disseminating vital information about cybersecurity risks and preventive measures, fostering understanding and advocacy for the significance of cybersecurity practices and gender diversity within the field.

Damayanthi was also a panelist for the IVLP Impact Awards Alumni Discussion Series panel on “Women’s Empowerment” which you can read more about here.

"[I hope] to create a network of women cybersecurity professionals who can support and mentor one another." - Damayanthi Ramalingam

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Damayanthi was a participant in the IVLP Project Women and Entrepreneurship II, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education.

Damayanthi's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "Witnessing the success stories of my fellow IVLP participants, as well as the impactful programs conducted by individuals in different states, broadened my perspective and motivated me to think bigger. Their journeys offered deeper insights into how the United States fosters connections and enables people to realize their dreams in remarkably short timeframes."

U.S. Communities Visited

Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX

"This eye-opening experience has enriched my understanding of the power of networking, collaboration, and seizing opportunities. It has ignited a fire within me... I am now more determined than ever to make a lasting impact in my field and contribute to the creation of meaningful connections that can make dreams a reality." - Damayanthi Ramalingam

Country: Sri Lanka 

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