Danushka Tamali Silva, Senior Vice President of Marketing in the Regular Category at Lion Brewery, reflects on pivotal moments that have significantly influenced her approach to marketing and leadership. She attributes much of her growth to the mentorship of exemplary leaders and a diverse range of work experiences. Emphasizing her openness to opportunities beyond core marketing functions, Danushka underscores the importance of gaining insights from various business verticals.
Despite many a milestone in core Marketing, one defining milestone in Danushka’s career was managing a young field sales team in the General Trade sector. This hands-on experience taught her the significance of understanding ground realities and challenges, a perspective often overlooked in marketing strategies. Recognizing the importance of collaboration in overcoming obstacles, she stresses the need for marketers and leaders to balance visionary thinking with practical execution.
Additionally, Danushka’s past career tenures in International Marketing and Business Strategy played a vital role in shaping her approach. Working on international markets pushed her boundaries, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and an owner’s mindset. Dealing with ambiguity on a global scale honed her ability to navigate complex challenges with agility and resilience.
Her experience in Business Strategy provided a broader understanding of the commercial landscape and how marketing strategies fit into the broader organizational context. These diverse experiences have not only enriched her perspective as a marketing professional but also as a leader, enabling her to appreciate the interconnectedness of various business functions and the importance of holistic strategic thinking.
In her current role, Danushka oversees a critical aspect of the company’s operations. Reflecting on her success in this position, she attributes much of it to her leadership philosophy, which centers around the empowerment and development of her team. She firmly believes that a leader’s effectiveness is closely tied to their team’s success and endeavours to bring out the best in her colleagues.
Danushka’s leadership style emphasizes promoting a culture of openness and trust within her team. She understands the importance of creating a safe space where team members feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment. By cultivating an environment where individuals can freely contribute, engage in healthy conflict, seek support, and recognize each other’s efforts, she believes her team can produce outstanding results.
Recognizing that building such a culture requires continuous effort and commitment, Danushka acknowledges that it’s a journey undertaken alongside her team. She understands that challenges are inevitable, but she remains dedicated to navigating them together with her colleagues. Regular communication and feedback sessions with her team are integral parts of her approach, allowing her to stay aligned with their needs and further develop her ability to inspire and motivate them.
As a seasoned marketing professional, Danushka recognizes the importance of staying attuned to evolving consumer trends and preferences. She emphasizes consumer-centricity in her strategic approach, underpinned by a commitment to data-driven decision-making. She understands that amidst the wealth of available market and consumer data, deriving actionable insights requires a nuanced understanding of emerging dynamics.
While industry reports offer valuable insights into consumer behaviour and market trends, Danushka believes in complementing this data with firsthand experiences. She advocates for a hands-on approach, stressing the importance of personal interactions and observations in retail environments. By engaging directly with consumers and immersing herself in retail channels, she remains abreast of subtle shifts and nuances in consumer behaviour, particularly in lifestyle-driven industries where preferences evolve rapidly.
These insights serve as the bedrock for Danushka’s strategic approach at Lion Brewery. By leveraging a combination of data analytics and on-ground observations, she ensures that the consumer and channel strategies of the Regular Category brand portfolio are optimized to meet evolving demands. Whether through refining existing strategies or exploring new opportunities through product innovation, her approach is deeply rooted in a comprehensive understanding of consumer behaviour and market dynamics.
Danushka’s journey as a marketer has been deeply influenced by her commitment to sustainability. Recognizing that sustainable brands are the future, she emphasizes the importance of adapting to evolving consumer expectations. Throughout her career, she has actively pursued initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the brands she works with, whether through sourcing sustainable materials or promoting recycling efforts.
Danushka acknowledges that integrating sustainability into decision-making processes requires patience and perseverance. While finding solutions that align with both business objectives and environmental goals can be challenging, she remains steadfast in her dedication to driving positive change. As both a marketer and a business leader, she understands the role her profession plays in shaping consumer behaviour and recognizes the inherent responsibility to prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.
As a woman holding a senior position in the traditionally male-dominated beverage industry, Danushka brings a unique perspective and approach to her role. She recognizes the significance of having diverse voices at the table, believing that women offer distinct insights and perspectives that enrich both leadership and business strategy. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and sensitivity in leadership, traits often associated with women, which can contribute to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.
Danushka is encouraged by the increasing visibility of women in leadership positions within organizations, noting the positive impact it has on gender equality and equity in the workforce. She acknowledges the challenges women face in balancing professional responsibilities with other roles in their lives and advocates for initiatives that promote greater support and flexibility for women in the workplace. She strives to empathize with the unique circumstances and challenges faced by her women colleagues, offering guidance and support to help them navigate their career paths without feeling undue pressure or guilt.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Danushka is committed to empowering more women to pursue leadership positions within the beverage sector. She envisions a future where women have equal opportunities to excel and thrive in their careers, contributing their talents and perspectives to drive innovation and growth in the industry. By advocating for greater representation and support for women in leadership roles, Danushka hopes to inspire future generations and contribute to building a more diverse and inclusive corporate culture.