Our Team

The PIMD Management Committee has a wealth of experience in the fields of education, teaching English as a second language (TESL), international development, business and accounting.

The late Dr. Mahesan Kandaiya, President 2004-2019, held a Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Business (e-Business and Communications) and a PhD. He was an accredited Professional Member of the Australian Computer Society (MACS). He had over thirty years experience in the IT industry having worked in Sri Lanka, Australia, and in pan-Asia Pacific roles. His PhD research developed an approach to financial sustainability for nonprofit organisations pursuing social enterprise strategies in the South Asia region including Sri Lanka.

Dr. Donna Vaughan, President (since March 2019), holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Law, Masters in Social Science – International Development, and a PhD in Development Studies. She has over twenty years experience in IT, project management, and management consulting. Donna has also taught development studies, political economy, and public policy (post-grad) at the University of New South Wales in Australia. Visit Donna’s Linked In page.

Monica Vaughan, Treasurer, has a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Education, over twenty-five years experience in teaching, and ten years experience in business management. Monica also holds a Bachelor of Theology and Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting. She is actively involved in community development within her own locality. Monica plays a key role in our program and developed the curriculum for Grades 1 and 2.

Judy Hawkes, Secretary has a Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics and Sociology) and over twenty years experience in IT management and consulting both in the USA and Australia. Judy also works as a volunteer in youth programs in Australia.

Helen McLeod, EAL and Special Education Consultant, has a Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Masters in Special Education (Sensory Impairment, TESOL). Helen is an experienced teacher and has played a key role in our program since its beginning, including development and delivery of teacher training in Sri Lanka, and mentoring teachers in village schools.

Emma Boundy, Primary Education Consultant, is a Primary School Teacher with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney. Emma co-authored the Grade 3-5 literacy component of our program, has conducted teacher training in Sri Lanka, and plays an ongoing role in the continued enhancement of our program and delivery of online training.

Helen Farrell, EAL Consultant,has a Teaching Certificate, Bachelor of Arts in Literature and a Master of Arts in Linguistics. She has over 30 years’ experience teaching in High Schools and in the Higher Education sector. Currently she is involved in mentoring teachers in Sri Lanka as well as participating in local community activities. 

Radhi Kalyanakumar, Program Co-ordinator, has a professional background in financial services and is tri-lingual (Tamil, Sinhala, and English). Radhi provides program co-ordination, interpreting/translation, and cross-cultural support to the PIMD Program. 

Mrs M. S. Fathima Rihana, Primary English Consultant, is a primary English teacher in Sri Lanka with a Bachelor of Arts (English, Education, and Sociology) from the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. In addition to co-authoring the Lotus ABOE Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Guide for Grades 1 and 2 English in Sri Lanka, she is also the lead consultant for a field pilot of a Struggling Reader Program. Rihana also works as a documentary script writer (in Tamil and English) and translator.

Shashikala Dissanayake, EAL Consultant and Instructoris a Sri Lankan Government school teacher with a Bachelor of Arts – Special (Languages, English Language and Literature) from Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, and a Masters in Linguistics from the University of Keleniya, Sri Lanka. Shashikala is a translator and instructor for PIMD’s Lotus Program, and advises on its implementation in Sri Lankan primary schools. 

Sribhairavy Manogharan, Consultant and Trainer – Language Pronounciation, holds a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). She has over 5 years of experience in working with children who have communication and feeding difficulties. Her passion lies in the area of early intervention and capacity building for families and educators in order to promote positive outcomes for children. Bhairavy is a consultant and trainer for the PIMD’s Lotus Program, particularly in the area of pronunciation. 

Our other founding members are drawn from the IT industry in Asia Pacific, and the teaching profession in Australia (primary, secondary, tertiary, TESOL and special education).

PIMD is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission

Download our most recent annual report: PIMD Annual Report 2023.