Meet Our Speakers

Lilan Dayananda is a social-tech entrepreneur and CEO of Elzian Agro. Named among the top ten Social Entrepreneurs of the Global-South by the UN and featured on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for social impact, he has earned recognition for his innovative solutions in food security, climate action and sustainability. Lilan is the only Sri Lankan to receive the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in 2022 and was honored as Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2024 New Generation Awards. Holding a degree in Business Management, Lilan is currently pursuing two Master’s degrees while holding numerous fellowships and certifications, including from Chicago, Stanford and New York Universities. As a UNFCCC Technology Executive Committee member and the lead technology partner for the International Analog Forestry Network, he supports marginalized farmers in multiple countries. Lilan also mentors and serves as an ambassador for several global organizations dedicated to sustainable development.