Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Languages
Links - Google Scholar
Websites
Timeline
Generic

Chathurga Karunanayake

Summary

With nearly nine years of experience in Continuing Education and a solid academic foundation in Behavioral, Education, and Labor Economics, I lead the scope of learning and development initiatives that drive lasting behavioral change, and support organizational growth. I was recently awarded a prestigious PhD scholarship (2025–2029) in Education Economics, with my research focusing on applying Advanced Economic Theories and Behavioral insights to evaluate and enhance training impact and effectiveness. As a Research Committee Council Member at I4PL, I am driven to advance the intersection of Continuing Education and Behavioral Economics - an area I recognize as my true "passion".

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Learning and Development Specialist

FGF Brands Canada
07.2023 - Current
  • Lead end-to-end learning solutions by overseeing stakeholder management, design, development, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring full alignment with organizational objectives and strategic goals.
  • Transformed training reporting processes by replacing outdated PowerPoint-based training report cards with a dynamic, real-time L&D dashboard, significantly improving training data management and analytics across FGF Canada, USA, and Wonderbrands. This innovation streamlined reporting and provided actionable, up-to-date insights for the entire FGF group.
  • Design and develop engaging, impactful learning experiences both in-person and through Articulate for FGF Canada and USA, utilizing instructional design principles and adult learning theory to create high-quality, scalable training programs.
  • Spearheaded the seamless migration of training data from TMC to SkyPrep, ensuring efficient transitions and optimizing training processes for enhanced data accuracy and reporting capabilities.
  • Create tailored storyboards and design “Communicate with Impact” training for Research and Development teams, alongside refreshers to ensure continuous skill enhancement and alignment with evolving business needs.
  • Design e-Learning and blended training programs for FGF Canada, FGF USA, and Wonderbrands, playing a pivotal role in supporting organizational talent growth and leadership development initiatives.
  • Evaluate training effectiveness through robust assessments, feedback, and performance data, driving continuous improvement and optimizing learning outcomes to meet both short-term and long-term objectives.
  • Administer and manage the SkyPrep LMS, overseeing the setup of courses, participant enrollment, and comprehensive reporting, ensuring smooth delivery and alignment with training goals.
  • Lead the facilitation of SkyPrep Essentials training to optimize workflows of Leaders across Quality Assurance, Health and Safety, and Talent and Development departments, improving operational efficiency and employee performance.

Learning and Development Coordinator

FGF Brands Canada
01.2022 - 07.2023
  • Spearheaded coordination of comprehensive training programs across manufacturing and corporate sectors for FGF Canada, FGF USA and the PROSCI trainings at Wonderbrands
  • Collaborated with Business Partners and stakeholders to pinpoint and address learning requirements, offering expert guidance on cutting-edge educational strategies
  • Managed meticulous tracking of training metrics and prudent administration of the Learning & Development budget
  • Manage all training-related documents, materials, guides, SOPs, policies, and procedures, collaborating closely with the Operations Management Team to keep training processes up-to-date

Guest Lecturer in Education and Behavioural Studies

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
06.2018 - 10.2022
  • Delivered engaging lectures on 'Education Economics, Conspicuous Consumption and Behavioral Economics' for Final Year undergraduates at the University of Colombo, focusing on Alternative Economic Thought
  • Spearheaded curriculum development in compliance with SLQF guidelines, ensuring alignment with academic standards and industry relevance
  • Collaborated with experts and stakeholders to define precise learning outcomes, optimizing the training approach and content to fulfill performance objectives
  • Orchestrated comprehensive training projects, from scope definition to cost estimation, while ensuring alignment with required competencies
  • Negotiated project deliverables, including quality, timing, and costs, securing stakeholder agreement and establishing clear acceptance criteria
  • Championed the adoption of digital solutions, mentoring, and coaching initiatives to bolster student resilience and academic performance
  • Advised students and stakeholders on selecting optimal learning programs, tailoring guidance to individual needs and goals
  • Provided coaching and supervision to enhance Final Year undergraduates' employability and transferable skills

Assistant Lecturer

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
11.2016 - 07.2018
  • Delivered comprehensive teaching assistance across multiple Economics subjects, including Alternative Economic Thought, World Economic Development, and Transport Economics
  • Facilitated engaging learning experiences in specialized courses such as Project Planning & Appraisal, Poverty and Social Integration, and Consumer Studies & Marketing
  • Applied intensive quantitative analysis methods in instructing modules on Economics of Sea & Air Transport, Transport Economics & Policy Analysis, and Planning of Shipping & Port Operations
  • Enhanced student communication skills and industry compliance through Business Communication Skills and Marine Standards & Regulations coursework
  • Spearheaded the coordination of the Transport Economics and Commercial Shipping specialization at the University of Colombo as the Assistant Lecturer

Education

Ph.D. - Education Economics

Univeristy of Colombo
Sri Lanka
01-2029

Certified Training and Development Professional -

Institute For Performance And Learning
Canada
07-2024

Bachelor of Arts - Specialization: Economics

University of Colombo
Sri Lanka
01.2016

Certificate in International Relations -

University of Colombo
Sri Lanka
01.2015

The Licentiate of Trinity College London - Pianoforte

University of West London
United Kingdom
01.2014

DELF A1, A2 and B1 -

Ministère De L'Éducation Nationale
France
01.2013

Skills

  • Instructional Design and Delivery
  • Adult Learning Principles
  • Project Management
  • Authoring tools and analytical software expertise in Articluate, STATA, NVivo, SPSS
  • Continuous Improvement Mindset
  • Agility and Adaptability

References

Dr. Dulini Fernando, Professor in BSc Economics and Management, University of Oxford, Director of the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity (Manchester Metropolitan University), +44 780 969 3168, d.fernando@mmu.ac.uk

Languages

English

Links - Google Scholar

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=s0ds…

Timeline

Learning and Development Specialist

FGF Brands Canada
07.2023 - Current

Learning and Development Coordinator

FGF Brands Canada
01.2022 - 07.2023

Guest Lecturer in Education and Behavioural Studies

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
06.2018 - 10.2022

Assistant Lecturer

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
11.2016 - 07.2018

Ph.D. - Education Economics

Univeristy of Colombo

Certified Training and Development Professional -

Institute For Performance And Learning

Bachelor of Arts - Specialization: Economics

University of Colombo

Certificate in International Relations -

University of Colombo

The Licentiate of Trinity College London - Pianoforte

University of West London

DELF A1, A2 and B1 -

Ministère De L'Éducation Nationale

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