Otara Gunewardene
| Otara Del Gunewardene | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Otara Del Gunewardene 30 August 1964 Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation | founder ODEL; founder/CEO Embark |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Children | Kiran Rakhil |
| Parent(s) |
Norman Gunewardene Delysia Gunewardene |
| Website | Official website |
Otara Del Gunewardene is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur, philanthropist and fashion icon. Gunewardene founded Sri Lankan fashion and lifestyle store, ODEL. From being a sole proprietor of one store in 1990, she has piloted Odel through two decades of growth and today there are over 20 Odel stores are located throughout the island. Gunewardene was the first female entrepreneur to take a company public in Sri Lanka, when Odel was launched as an IPO in July 2010. She was globally recognised in 2010 she was named the 'Best Female Entrepreneur' at the seventh US Stevie Awards for Women in Business. She was also named in the list of Sri Lanka’s Most Powerful Women compiled by Echelon Magazine in 2013 and is featured in the Sri Lanka Rich List. On 11 September 2014 Gunewardene sold her shareholdings in Odel PLC to the Softlogic Group. She subsequently established the Embark brand which funds numerous animal welfare programs.
Otara Del Gunawardene was born on 30 August 1964 in Colombo, Sri Lanka to Norman Gunewardene and Delysia. Her father was a former Chairman of Aitken Spence and her mother, Delysia, established the Chitra Lane School for differently-abled children.
Gunawardene attended C. M. S. Ladies College in Colombo, where she excelled in athletics and swimming, representing the country. Gunawardene graduated from Bowling Green State University, Ohio with a degree in biology.
While on holiday back home, she dabbled in modelling – shooting for high-profile brands and international apparel catalogues right after graduating from University.
In 1989 a chance request by an apparel manufacturer to help him dispose an assortment of export surplus garments led her to set up shop from the boot of her car.
In 2013 Gunewardene launched her eponymous jeans label in 2013 at the Colombo Fashion Week.
In 2007 Gunewardene launched Embark in 2007. Embark’s activities include eradication of rabies, canine vaccinations, sterilization surgeries, puppy adoptions and caring for injured street dogs. These activities are funded through the sale of a range of clothing, jewellery and accessories featuring logos of Gundewardene's dogs.
Gundewardene was also involved, through her business at ODEL, in providing relief to the victims of the 2004 tsunami, constructing eighteen houses to benefit families affected by the tsunami.
Other initiatives include tree planting, clearing of poisonous plant species at Bundala National park and the beach clean-up drives.
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Wikipedia