For the third consecutive year, Parenthood Global successfully hosted the Mom Leaders Conference, bringing together corporate leaders, industry experts, professionals, and working mothers to celebrate leadership, inclusion, and the invaluable contributions of mothers in the workforce.
Held on 21 May 2026 at Cinnamon Life, the conference served as a platform to inspire meaningful action, recognize achievements, and encourage the creation of more mom-inclusive workplaces. The event highlighted the growing importance of supporting working parents and building organizational cultures where professional growth and caregiving responsibilities can successfully coexist.
As businesses continue to recognize the value of inclusive workplaces, the conference emphasized the need to move beyond traditional policies and focus on creating environments where mothers are genuinely empowered to succeed both personally and professionally.
The event was graced by the presence of H.E. Dewi Gustina Tobing, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, who attended as the Chief Guest and presented awards to recognized organizations and outstanding mother leaders for their contributions.
Inspiring Discussions on Leadership, Inclusion, and the Future of Work
The conference featured a distinguished group of local and international speakers who shared valuable perspectives on leadership, workplace inclusion, wellbeing, career advancement, and evolving trends in the future of work.
Representing the United Arab Emirates, Ms. Sarah Teixeira Morello, HR Director of Kraft Heinz UAE, delivered a keynote address titled “From Policy to Culture: Designing Mom-Friendly Workplaces,” highlighting the importance of building workplace cultures where mothers feel respected, supported, and valued.
Ms. Kushani Dassanayake, Head of Talent, Culture & Inclusion at Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC, discussed how organizations can develop globally competitive workplaces through stronger inclusion strategies. Meanwhile, Dr. Chamila Ariyananda, Chief Executive Officer of Universal College Lanka, shared insights on raising emotionally resilient children while balancing leadership responsibilities.
Smart Quest Celebrates 20 Years of People Transformation with Launch of The Growth Circle and Preview of Rooted
Smart Quest Pvt Ltd celebrated its 20th anniversary with an exclusive evening at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, bringing together clients, partners, faculty members, and leaders representing more than 30 organisations from Sri Lanka’s corporate sector.
The milestone event reflected on two decades of leadership development, coaching, and organisational transformation while unveiling Smart Quest’s next phase of growth through the launch of The Growth Circle and the pre-launch of “Rooted: In Stillness He Taught Me Everything About Leadership,” the first book authored by Smart Quest Founder and Director Andrea Jayatilleka.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Chief Operating Officer Oshana Dias, setting the stage for a celebration that honoured Smart Quest’s achievements while exploring the changing needs of modern leaders and teams.
A major highlight of the event was the introduction of the inaugural Growth Circle, a facilitated team experience focused on strengthening trust, developing shared understanding, and encouraging conscious leadership. Co-facilitated by Andrea Jayatilleka and Murshid Munshif, the session guided participants through five layers of growth inspired by neurological levels of thinking and the concept of the “Still Point” featured in Rooted.
Through interactive activities involving picture cards, post-it notes, and thread-based exercises, participants reflected on automatic behaviours, inner awareness, learning experiences, and conscious decision-making. The session created a meaningful space for open dialogue and connection among professionals from diverse industries, demonstrating the transformative potential of The Growth Circle for workplace teams.
Reflecting on the milestone, Andrea Jayatilleka, Founder and Director of Smart Quest, said that the company’s journey over the past 20 years has been built on the belief that the right development at the right time can transform individuals and organisations.
“Twenty years ago, we started with a belief that the right development, at the right time, changes people. Tonight reminded us why that belief is worth everything. Over the years, we have seen individuals grow into stronger leaders, teams find new ways to work together, and organisations unlock potential they may not have fully recognised before.
As we mark this milestone, we are deeply grateful to every client, partner, faculty member, and team member who has been part of our journey. The next chapter for Smart Quest is about continuing to create spaces where people can reflect, connect, and grow with greater intention,” she said.
With the introduction of The Growth Circle and Rooted, Smart Quest continues its commitment to empowering leaders, strengthening teams, and creating meaningful pathways for personal and organisational growth.
Mom Leaders Conference 2026 Celebrates Leadership, Inclusion, and the Strength of Working Mothers
