Virtusa, a leading provider of digital strategy and IT services, is widely recognized for its pro-active actions on diversity and inclusion. Our diversity strategy is bolstered by investments in technology and security systems, enabling our teams to work remotely across geographical and social boundaries.
Global Head of Sustainability and Facilities, and Joint Country Head of Virtusa Sri Lanka, Denver De Zylva, has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 10 Diversity Champions for 2024.’ This prestigious accolade is awarded by the Women in Management (WIM) Foundation in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), under the ‘Respectful Workplaces’ initiative.
The award program, now in its second year, honors leaders who have made remarkable contributions to fostering diversity and inclusion within their organizations. These champions are selected for their ability to create inclusive environments that empower individuals to thrive, while also setting benchmarks for innovative leadership across industries. Denver’s inclusion in this esteemed group reflects Virtusa’s commitment to cultivating a workplace culture that prioritizes respect, collaboration, and innovation.
Denver’s selection was the result of a rigorous evaluation process involving 43 nominations from the public and private sectors. A distinguished panel of judges, including Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager for World Bank and IFC, and Jayanthi Dharmasena, Director at Hayleys Agriculture Holdings, reviewed the submissions to identify individuals who embody excellence in leadership and inclusion.
This approach has facilitated global collaboration among individuals and teams with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Virtusa is committed to creating an equal opportunity workplace and community, focusing on growing women into leadership roles through flexible work options, leadership training and coaching programs such as “Mom-to-Mom” networking program, and Upskilling program for female employees returning to work. Additionally, Virtusa has provided scholarships to underserved women students in universities and engineering institutes. For example, in 2023, Virtusa awarded 25 scholarships worth LKR 2.5 million to female students in Sri Lanka.
The award ceremony, held at the Shangri-La Colombo, brought together corporate and public sector leaders, members of the WIM Foundation, and international representatives to celebrate the recipients. Denver expressed his gratitude during his acceptance speech, stating, “Creating a truly inclusive workplace is not just a moral responsibility, but is also a strategic imperative. At Virtusa, we strive to build an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of our teams who inspire us to embrace diversity and inclusion every day.”
The Women in Management Foundation and IFC have championed the importance of diversity through the ‘Top 10 Diversity Champion Award Program.’
