We already have much of the science, technology and solutions that we need to solve climate change. What we need is to convince the world to change how to do things – and for that we need messengers to spread the sustainability message.
Mandhy Senewiratne CEnv
Fyrefly, Director - Sustainability & Change Manager
Mandhy Senewiratne’s Registrant Profile
Mandhy began her journey into all thing’s conservation with degree in Environmental Engineering, minoring in Chemical Engineering in Melbourne, Australia. Nomadic in nature, she worked in Australia, Sri Lanka and Prague after which she headed to the UK.
Having worked for Three Valleys Water/Veolia, Halcrow/CH2MHiLL and MWH (now part of Stantec), in water, construction, international development and buildings sector (BREEAM Advisor), she gained her professional registration as a Chartered Environmentalist through the experience route via the Institute of Water, on whose Environmental Panel she now sits on.
She has a proven track record delivering of projects with long term sustainable benefits ranging from energy and water efficiency, carbon and resource management, responsible sourcing, climate resilience and adaptation.
Mandhy passionately believes that communication is the key to successful change management and embedding sustainability. Following a sabbatical, building houses for Habitat for Humanity, travelling the world, and working on the SDGs, she returned to the UK and is now an associate of BWEC’s Environmental Consultancy arm, providing environmental sustainability advice to clients in the utility, education and local government sectors.
Career now
With a background in theatre, she has now combined her technical prowess with delivering change management, training courses and coaching communication skills. A qualified Assessor, she delivers The Introduction to Water Industry course on behalf of the Institute of Water and is an associate of Merit Skills Ltd, delivering a myriad of courses associated with the recent uptake of Apprenticeships in the water industry.
Her favourite role, however is that of her alter ego “Mad Mandhy”. A facilitator for Mad Science, a science “edutainment” company, instructing children aged 4-11 on the finer points of science. Through hands-on experimentation and the odd explosion, encouraging STEM and developing the next generation of Eco-Warriors.
She is now Director of Fyrefly Global Sustainability, flitting about the globe, sparking sustainability. Watch out for her upcoming Instagram (@fyreflyglobal) blog. “Fyrefly and the road less travelled – The Plastic Free path in Sri Lanka”.
Expanding on Mandhy’s quote above:
We already have much of the science, technology and solutions that we need to solve climate change. What we need is to convince the world to change how to do things – and for that we need messengers to spread the sustainability message.
Often most technical specialists don’t emerge from behind the computer screens to pass on their knowledge or know-how, and in their place, management consultants and communication specialists are utilized as outward or customer facing representative.
If we were to instil more confidence in our technical workforce and provide the them the tools to be better communicators, we would be half-way there to not only fighting climate change, but helping the public better understand our respective industries.
Profile correct as of October 2018.
