Ashika Gunasena is recognized for her exceptional contribution to the empowerment of women MSME owners

Ashika Gunasena, Chief Executive Officer of Chrysalis, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Women MSME Empowerment award at the Women in Management (WIM) MSME Awards 2025, held at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo. This accolade recognizes both her exemplary leadership and Chrysalis’ significant contributions to empowering women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sri Lanka. Through her direction, Chrysalis has made strides in promoting gender equality and women’s entrepreneurship in 18 districts, impacting over 210,000 women and youth directly and reaching 9.5 million indirectly. Programs like ‘Made by Her’ and ‘Advisory Services’ are cited for bridging opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Ashika emphasizes that the award reflects the resilient spirit of women and affirms Chrysalis’ commitment to fostering economic growth and leadership in women, critical for the nation’s development.

• Gender Equality: The award emphasizes the pressing need for efforts towards achieving gender equality, marking Chrysalis as a leader in this endeavor.
• Economic Impact: Women-led MSMEs play a vital role in economic growth, and organizations like Chrysalis significantly impact this area by providing resources and opportunities.
• Community Development: The outreach of Chrysalis not only supports individual women but also stimulates community-wide growth through inclusive initiatives.