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Chari Ratwatte

Working on social start-up. MBA from Stanford University, BSc Information Systems from Manchester Metropolitan University

Headline:	Entrepreneur
Work status:	Living The Dream
Website:	http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/j-charitha-chari-ratwatte-mba-09
Industries:	Food and Drink, Health, Lifestyle, Retail
Skills:	Business, Leadership, Management
Next step:	Execution
Location:	Sri Lanka
Groups:	Social e-challenge Competition 2009 [inactive]
Interested in:	Finding business partners, Finding mentors, Helping friends, Professional opportunities, Raising money, Starting a company
Tags:	fair trade, organic, Retail
Schools:	Manchester Metropolitan University, Stanford University

FEATURED STARTUP

Rural Returns

Rural Returns increases rural communities' incomes by helping them identify and develop their comparative advantages

Startup type: Social Enterprise
Status: Active
Stage: Beta

WORK EXPERIENCE

Employer:	Rural Returns
Position:	Managing Director
Time period:	June 2009 - Present

Employer:	Lend-A-Hand India
Position:	Evaluation of and expansion planning for school-based vocational training program
Time period:	July 2008 - August 2008
Description:	The Introduction to Basic Technology is an innovative vocational training program designed to be delivered in schools. My task was to evaluate the program’s success and formulate a plan for national scale-up. Consulted with curriculum developers; travelled across Maharashtra State to observe the program at different stages of implementation under different conditions; interviewed stakeholders and figures in key positions of influence Formulated recommendations, presented assessment along with a strategic plan for national scale-up. The plan addressed capacity-building – recommendations on the organizational structures and relationships between the two organizations key to the project; formalizing and leveraging an existing Public-Private Partnership model with the Maharashtra State education system; and presented a prioritized national rollout plan

Employer:	Mercy Corps – Collaborative Development Initiative, Osh, Batken and Jalalabat Provinces – Kyrgyzstan
Position:	Evaluation of the Community Endowment Fund program
Time period:	June 2008 - July 2008
Description:	Elected community councils approve loans as risk-capital for economically important or socially beneficial, innovative business plans proposed by local entrepreneurs. My task was to evaluate the program’s success. I first consulted stakeholders and leadership to agree on a definition of “success” for the program As it was soon clear to me that the true success of the program could not be gauged from a single mid-point reference, I sought my supervisor’s approval to design an evaluation tool for multiple reuse along the project’s life After presenting my evaluation plan to the project staff I visited 32 beneficiaries plus other non-CEF projects I finally presented the evaluation process, my results and recommendations to the project staff and leadership

Employer:	Millennium Information Technologies Ltd., Sri Lanka
Position:	Business Analyst; Team Leader, Global Software Support; Software Engineer
Time period:	December 2001 - November 2007
Description:	World #2 Capital Markets software solutions provider; 450+ employees worldwide; $25MM sales. - Business Analyst Project for ICAP, world’s largest inter-dealer fixed income securities broker with over $500 billion daily turnover across global 24x7 operations; Primary interaction with US and UK offices - Team Leader, Global Software Support Led launch of 24x7 real-time support operations for ICAP and other clients - Software Engineer Projects in Sri Lanka and Emerging Markets – e.g. Kenya, Ghana and Mauritius International Experience – Africa Extensive engagements in Nairobi, Kenya and Accra, Ghana gave me valuable experience working in developing economies and insights into some of East- and West-Africa’s economic and socio-political issues. Drove client preparation and broker site preparation for historic stock-exchange automation projects in Kenya and Ghana Analyzed issues, presented solutions and led consultations between clients and project staff to meet critical deadlines and achieve nationally and regionally significant system launches on schedule - Analytical and Interpersonal Skills As part of a small team I spearheaded MillenniumIT’s entry into a completely new sector as we bid for, and won, the opportunity to modernize one of the engines of Sri Lanka’s Old Economy Lobbied industry leaders and decision makers, facilitated user group discussions, and requirements gathering meetings, and led proposal process in securing a $400,000 project to automate flagship Colombo Tea Auction Analyzed urgent issues and implemented interim solutions in conjunction with on-site personnel Updated critical Business Specification Document that served as reference for entire project staff of over 100 Led design discussions and project conference calls with clients from the U.S., U.K. and Kenya

EDUCATION

University:	Stanford University
Time period:	2006 - 2009
Degree:	MBA

University:	Manchester Metropolitan University
Time period:	1997 - 2002
Degree:	Information Systems, BSc

INFORMATION

Sports:	Water Polo Organized and conducted 2-day Water Polo Clinic for National body; Head Coach of championship-winning high-school water polo team; Managed Junior National team at Asian Age Group Championships; Swimming Secretary, Otter Aquatic Club, Sri Lanka Junior National team; National pool; Senior player of Otter Aquatic Club Water Polo team
Hobbies:	Social service, Sri Lankan culture and heritage, technology, sports, photography, wildlife, SCUBA diving Scouting District Executive Committee; Designed syllabus for “Computer User” proficiency badge, examiner for “Computer User,” “Swimmer” and “Master Swimmer” proficiency badges Eagle Scout, leadership positions at every level; Volunteer swimming instructor, 42nd Colombo Scout Troops Other Post-2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami – Worked in my Scout Group and my employer’s post-tsunami recovery efforts in affected areas and in a central clearing house for donations; coordinated construction of housing for affected village Assistant Facilitator, Outward Bound Trust of Sri Lanka – 1999 to 2002
Memberships:	School Career and Alumni Association Council of the Royal College Union; Youngest member of Games Council overseeing all sport-related activities; Chairman of special project committee for members under 25; Inaugural President, Class of ’97 Senior Prefect (one of 76 from a class of over 400); One of 10 Student Leaders elected from 76-member Senior Prefects’ Council; Prefect Cadet (one of 20 from a class of over 400) Notable school Prizes include Dornhorst Memorial Prize for General Merit (based on staff and student votes)