Leonie Vaas is the Group General Manager – Sustainability at Hirdaramani Apparel, bringing 15 years of experience in the textile industry, with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

In 2021, she was honored as one of ten United Nations Global Compact SDG Pioneers for Responsible Production, making her the first Sri Lankan to receive this recognition.

Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in sustainable management at Management and Science University in Malaysia. A qualified chemical engineer, she earned her MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in manufacturing. Additionally, she is a lead auditor for ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and a certified Sustainability Manager, specializing in energy and water management.

She also possesses experience in creating ESG strategies and sustainable reporting, including GRI standards.

Leonie is also known for her innovative approach to sustainable products, having developed natural dyes based on a waste-to-fashion concept, which gained recognition on global textile platforms. Furthermore, she serves as a visiting lecturer in sustainability at several state universities in Sri Lanka.