Unlocking the Power of Data and Diversity with Sasenka Abeysooriya

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Data and Drams

Sarah Kenyon

4 episodes

1 day ago

Demystifying leadership, one dram at a time. Join your host Sarah, as she sits down with leading industry professionals for an intimate conversation over a glass of whisky. This series offers a unique glimpse into those journeys, insights, and strategies of successful leaders. Sarah is breaking down the barrier to entry and is offering you a seat at the table to help you build a career worth savouring.

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Unlocking the Power of Data and Diversity with Sasenka Abeysooriya

Data and Drams

52 minutes 18 seconds

1 week ago

Unlocking the Power of Data and Diversity with Sasenka Abeysooriya

Welcome to Data & Drams, in this interview, I was thrilled to be joined by ⁠Sasenka Abeysooriya⁠, who shared his fascinating, non-linear journey from the Netherlands to Australia, all the while navigating the professional evolution of project management into the critical field of data governance.

As Strategy Director for ⁠The University of Queensland⁠ and ⁠AUSCERT⁠, he leads initiatives that strengthen resilience, foster innovation, and address complex organisational challenges.

We dove into his love for cricket and his candid perspectives on how soft skills like listening and empathy are the essential, yet often-underrated, components of true leadership, contrasting them with purely technical abilities and highlighting the invaluable asset of diverse backgrounds in a modern team.

A committed advocate for equity and inclusion, Sasenka has led transformative programs expanding access to higher education and serves as a non-executive director at ⁠World Wellness Group⁠, an organisation focused on equity in healthcare. Tackling the crucial topics of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Sasenka underscores the significance of trust, proper measurement, and representation at the decision-making level for real impact.

Over our chat we enjoyed a delicious ⁠Lark Symphony Nº1⁠, which has been crowned Australia's Best Blended Malt at the World Whiskies Awards four years in a row! This exceptional whisky is a true Tasmanian icon, celebrated for its poise and incredible balance. Full of life from start to finish, it carries the uncompromised signature style of LARK whisky.

You’ll also hear us talking about the ⁠Whisky Club⁠ and ⁠Barrel Lane⁠, both incredible membership options to explore new whisky’s across the world and throughout Australia. Check them out if you’ve been wanting to try something new.

Sasenka has a unique perspective on career, leadership, and the power of soft skills which I know will resonate with so many of you which is why I can’t wait for you to hear it.

So pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Sasenka and I for Data & Drams.