The Emerge Force

Team

  • Afra

    Afra Jameel

    CENTRE PSYCHOLOGIST

    “Emerge is a beacon of resilience, guiding young survivors to find hope and strength within themselves."

  • Alia

    Alia Whitney-Johnson

    FOUNDER AND CEO

    “Emerge is an unstoppable family of survivors and allies — who see each other, lift each other up, and make the world a little better for girls to come."

  • Anuradha

    Anuradha Rathnayake

    PROGRAMME OFFICER

    “Emerge is hope.”

  • Apsara

    Apsara Mendis

    OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

    "Emerge is a place that gives a feeling of safety and love.”

  • Ashani Hans Ehaliyagoda

    HEAD OF PROGRAMMES

    "Emerge creates the determination and strength to overcome boundaries and empower the lives of countless young survivors."

  • Kaavya Pathirana

    COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

    “Emerge is the big sister who guides and loves; where we celebrate the worth of each survivor, and empower them to be their own silver lining.”

  • Uadaya

    Uadaya JK Sivakumar

    HEAD OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

    “Emerge is Empowering, Motivating, Encouraging, Resettling, Guiding, and Elevating teenage survivors of sexual abuse.”

  • Ranmalie Abeyesekere

    Ranmalie Abeyesekere

    STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS LEAD

    "Emerge shines a light on the cracks, and attempts to fill in those cracks, in a system that is burdened by a lack of adequate resources.”

  • Shakila

    Shakila Manoharshi

    REINTEGRATION & ALUMNI OFFICER

    "Emerge holds the beauty of choice and accountability, which teaches that the destination and the path to it is our choice.”

  • Sharkshini Mathivanan

    Sharkshini Mathivanan

    SHELTER PSYCHOLOGIST

    “Emerge carries the torch of hope & strength for those who cannot carry it for themselves. By paving the way for resilience to grow & emerge, those who could not believe in themselves, finally can.”

  • Shalindi

    Shalindi Pandithakoralage

    CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

    “Emerge is a gentle guiding hand, helping young women connect the dots in their journey of healing, empowering them to reclaim their lives and build a future of strength and hope."

  • Sujeewa Dilrukshi

    Sujeewa Dilrukshi

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

    “Emerge is there to help when nobody else is there to provide for survivors - we see them each as they are and Emerge helps them find their own path in life.”

  • Theja Jayasinghe

    Theja Jayasinghe

    PROGRAMMES LEAD

    “Emerge is hope.”

  • Three Incredible Centre Mothers

    Names and photos are kept confidential for security purposes.

Board of Directors

  • Alia

    Alia Whitney-Johnson

    FOUNDER, CEO, AND DIRECTOR

    Emerge Lanka Foundation and Emerge Global

  • Chatrini

    Chatrini Weeratunge

    DIRECTOR

    Emerge Global

  • Farzana

    Farzana Khan

    DIRECTOR

    Emerge Lanka Foundation

  • Jehan

    Jehan Mubarak

    DIRECTOR AND CHAIR OF THE BOARD

    Emerge Lanka Foundation

  • Natalie

    Natalie Palugyai

    DIRECTOR

    Emerge Global

  • Priya Sivagananathan

    Priya Sivagananathan

    DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY

    Emerge Lanka Foundation

  • Swasha

    Swasha Malalasekera

    DIRECTOR AND TREASURER

    Emerge Lanka Foundation

Emerge Ambassadors

Volunteer with Emerge

We’re looking for volunteer mentors, researchers, event planners, and translators, who are able to contribute time to Emerge for several months or more. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please complete the form below and a member of our team will get back to you!