Navindra Liyanaarachchi

I am Navindra Liyanaarachchi, Founder of Sustainable Lanka Impact Investing Network (SLIIN), and a development professional with over 20 years of experience in inclusive economic development, MSME strengthening, cooperative systems, and development finance, working with local and international organizations.
I serve as a mentor and strategic advisor to startups, MSMEs, cooperatives, and second-tier growth-stage enterprises, particularly those operating in fragile, post-crisis, and underserved contexts. My mentoring focuses on institutional strengthening, human capital optimization, governance, and sustainable business models, ensuring that supported enterprises achieve both economic viability and measurable social impact.

Through SLIIN, I have led and supported initiatives focused on women’s economic empowerment, social entrepreneurship, impact finance readiness, and inclusive value chains. I bring strong field-level experience combined with policy and board-level insights, enabling me to bridge the gap between donor objectives and on-the-ground implementation realities.

– As a mentor to donor-funded programs, I support beneficiaries to:
– Improve organizational effectiveness and leadership capacity
-Develop bankable and impact-ready business models
– Strengthen financial discipline, governance, and risk management
– Integrate gender equality, inclusion, and sustainability into core operations
– Align enterprise outcomes with SDGs, Results Frameworks, and Theory of Change

I am particularly effective in mentoring programs aimed at women-led enterprises, youth entrepreneurship, cooperatives, and MSMEs, contributing to sustainable livelihoods, social cohesion, and long-term development impact.

I am open to engaging as a mentor, technical advisor, or resource person for your business initiatives seeking practical, context-sensitive, and results-oriented support.

I am motivated to mentor because I strongly believe in giving back to the startup ecosystem and supporting emerging entrepreneurs with practical, experience-based guidance. Mentoring allows me to contribute meaningfully to the growth of new and innovative businesses, particularly those with the potential to generate sustainable social and economic impact.

I am also deeply interested in learning about new industries and evolving business models, as this continuous exchange of knowledge keeps my own practice relevant and forward looking. Through mentoring, I seek to identify opportunities to engage more deeply whether as a strategic advisor, board member, or long-term partner where my experience can add lasting value.

Additionally, mentoring enables me to build meaningful professional connections, both for myself and for the organizations I represent, strengthening collaborative networks that support innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.