Eswaran Brothers empowers women through transformative leadership journey through the launch of its flagship She Transforms programme, a six-month initiative designed to strengthen leadership capabilities, promote inclusion, and create long-term opportunities for women within the organization. The programme reflects the company’s broader commitment to building a more diverse and future-ready workforce.
Eswaran Brothers empowers women through transformative leadership journey with She Transforms
Eswaran Brothers Exports (EB), one of Sri Lanka’s leading tea manufacturers, recently launched She Transforms, a customized leadership development programme aimed at empowering female employees to take on greater leadership responsibilities and contribute more strategically to the organization. Developed in collaboration with award-winning leadership expert Senela Jayasuriya and supported by Value for Women, the initiative forms a central part of the company’s wider gender equity agenda.
The programme was introduced following a gender diagnostic assessment conducted with Value for Women and supported by FMO, the Dutch Development Finance Bank. The assessment revealed that while women accounted for 44 percent of Eswaran Brothers’ workforce, only 23 percent occupied senior positions. The findings highlighted the need for stronger career pathways, targeted support systems, and opportunities for professional growth among female employees.
In response, the company implemented a series of measures focused on women leadership development and organizational inclusion. These included mentorship opportunities, coaching programmes, support mechanisms for employees returning from maternity leave, and initiatives aimed at improving career progression and leadership visibility.
The impact of these interventions was significant. Within six months, 20 women received promotions, representing a 2.4-fold increase compared to the previous year. Notably, male promotions also doubled during the same period, demonstrating how stronger systems and more inclusive policies can benefit the broader workforce rather than a single group.
According to Nimali Senevirathne, Group Head of HR and Legal at Eswaran Brothers, the changes extended beyond promotions and measurable outcomes. She noted that women increasingly demonstrated leadership qualities through greater visibility, stronger communication, and enhanced confidence in decision-making processes.
Building on this momentum, She Transforms was designed as a structured ten-step leadership journey that combines training, coaching, mentoring, and practical workplace application. Participants engage in activities that focus on resilience, emotional agility, strategic thinking, influence, and self-leadership. Through role-playing exercises, leadership tools, facilitated discussions, and reflective learning, employees are encouraged to develop skills that are increasingly valuable in today’s dynamic business environment.
Leadership expert Senela Jayasuriya emphasized that the programme is intended to help participants move beyond traditional training approaches by creating opportunities for personal growth and real-world application. She described leadership as a lived experience that develops through continuous learning, experimentation, and self-awareness.
Participants have reported a range of positive outcomes from the programme. Many described the experience as a mindset shift that enabled them to approach challenges with greater clarity and confidence. Improvements in communication, delegation, collaboration, and time management were among the commonly cited benefits. Several participants also noted that the programme helped them engage more effectively in traditionally male-dominated environments, strengthening both their confidence and professional influence.
The success of She Transforms underscores the growing importance of workplace inclusion as a driver of business performance and organizational resilience. Companies around the world are increasingly recognizing that diverse leadership teams contribute to better decision-making, stronger innovation, and improved employee engagement.
Value for Women Associate Director of Advisory Services Renée Hunter highlighted the significance of practical interventions in achieving meaningful change. She noted that leadership dynamics can shift rapidly when organizations move beyond intentions and implement systems that clearly support and encourage women’s advancement.
As Eswaran Brothers empowers women through transformative leadership journey, the company is demonstrating how targeted investments in talent development can create measurable benefits for both employees and the business. The initiative not only strengthens women leadership development but also reinforces a culture of workplace inclusion that supports long-term organizational growth.
With She Transforms continuing to evolve, Eswaran Brothers remains committed to creating an environment where women can thrive, lead confidently, and contribute meaningfully at every level of the organization. The programme’s early success offers a compelling example of how inclusive leadership strategies can unlock talent, enhance performance, and drive sustainable change across the corporate sector.