Fathima holds a PhD in Management and Sustainability from the University of Waikato, New Zealand. Her doctoral research focused on entrepreneurship and strategic management. She also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Management from the Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka.
Fathima has worked across academia, research, and applied learning environments. Her experience includes teaching and curriculum development at tertiary institutions in New Zealand and Sri Lanka, as well as research roles focused on entrepreneurship, strategic management, and social impact. She has also contributed to various community development and consultancy projects that bridge academic insights with real-world applications. Additionally, she is currently working as a Finance Administrator at the Lote Tree Trust in Auckland.
Her research interests lie at the intersection of entrepreneurship, strategic management, psychology, and wellbeing. She is particularly interested in how entrepreneurial passion emerges, evolves, and impacts individual and venture-level outcomes. Fathima also engages in work exploring identity, innovative capabilities and strategies, diversity, and inclusion within entrepreneurial and organisational contexts. She has presented and published her research outcomes in various international conferences and journals.
Fathima’s goal is to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment through experiential learning where each learner feels empowered to think critically, engage meaningfully, and apply knowledge in practical, real-world contexts. She aims to guide learners toward greater self-awareness, resilience, and a sense of purpose in their academic and professional paths.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, gardening, and travelling. She is also passionate about cultural storytelling and enjoys volunteering in community initiatives that promote wellbeing and belonging.
