Entrepreneur | Corporate Trainer | Mentor Championing Women Empowerment | Toastmaster | Freelance Insurance Consultant
Vijitha Samarakkodige’s journey is one defined by resilience, reinvention, and purpose. From navigating early personal loss to excelling across insurance, marketing, corporate training, and entrepreneurship, she has built a career that reflects both strength and empathy. A trailblazer in male dominated industries and the only female recipient of multiple Chairman’s Awards, Vijitha’s leadership philosophy has always centered on people, integrity, and growth. Today, as an entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate for women’s empowerment, her story stands as a testament to what is possible when discipline meets determination, and when success is measured not just by achievements, but by impact
Q Your career spans insurance, marketing, training, and entrepreneurship. What early influences shaped your professional direction?
Losing my mother at a very young age and relocating from Colombo to Anuradhapura forced me to grow up much earlier than most. Life did not offer comfort or predictability, and I had to rebuild myself emotionally and mentally from the ground up. When I later returned to Colombo to enter Sri Jayewardenepura University, I was starting over once again, this time with clarity and determination. Those early experiences taught me that independence is not optional for a woman, it is essential. I learned to take responsibility for my life and my choices, and that mindset shaped every professional decision I made. I believed deeply in purpose driven work, discipline, and ethical conduct. Even when entering industries where women were underrepresented, I trusted that consistent effort, people centered leadership, and integrity would open doors. Every role I stepped into strengthened my resilience and reinforced my commitment to lifelong learning and growth.
Q Starting as a Management Trainee at Bata, what key lessons did you carry forward into later roles?
My time at Bata was foundational. It instilled in me a strong respect for structure, systems, and accountability. I learned that before aspiring to leadership, one must first master the fundamentals. Understanding processes, respecting hierarchy, and taking ownership of responsibilities were lessons that stayed with me throughout my career. Bata also taught me humility. Leadership is not about titles or authority, but about understanding the ground reality. I learned to observe, listen, and learn before leading. These principles became the backbone of my professional journey and allowed me to transition confidently across industries while remaining grounded in strong work ethics.
Q You have broken barriers as the only female recipient of several Chairman’s Awards. What did those milestones mean to you personally and professionally?
I never chased recognition for its own sake. My focus was always on excellence and delivering results with integrity. However, the insurance industry was largely male dominated, and when women succeeded, we were often subjected to unfair judgments and stereotypes. Against that backdrop, receiving the Chairman’s Award was deeply meaningful. Being the only woman among award recipients was both an honour and a responsibility. Personally, it validated years of perseverance and reaffirmed my belief. Professionally, it proved that excellence has no gender. Being recognized at both local and international levels reminded me that women belong at decision making tables. I was proud to be the first woman to receive this prestigious recognition, knowing that it could quietly shift perceptions and inspire other women to aim higher.
Q How did you build high performing teams consistently over nearly 25 years in insurance?
My leadership strength has always come from genuinely working with people rather than managing them from a distance. I never saw myself as someone above the team. I worked alongside them, understood their challenges, and invested in their growth. I looked beyond job titles and focused on potential, aspirations, and individual strengths. Empathy was always at the core of my leadership style. I balanced accountability with trust, allowing people the freedom to learn, make mistakes, and grow. When targets were not met, I never resorted to blame. Instead, I treated those moments as opportunities for learning and motivation. Today, many of those team members are leaders across different organizations. Seeing their growth is my greatest reward. For me, leadership is not measured by tenure or titles, but by how many people you help rise into leadership themselves.
Q What leadership values guide you, especially in male dominated corporate environments?
Honesty, integrity, and empathy have always guided my leadership. These values shaped my professional identity and attracted people who wanted to work with me. I never believed in dominating leadership or mimicking masculine styles to fit in. I chose to lead authentically, as a woman, embracing my own strengths. I never felt the need to overpower men or compete in unhealthy ways. Instead, I found that emotional intelligence, compassion, and intuition made leadership more effective and human. My life quote reflects this belief: Compete with your yesterday and never compete with each other. Leadership, to me, is about growth, not rivalry.
Q You made a bold move into the beauty and wellness industry with your brand VIXIE. What inspired this entrepreneurial journey?
I have always believed in carrying myself with confidence and elegance, regardless of age. After retiring from my corporate sales career, I wanted to pursue something that aligned deeply with my personal passions. Beauty and wellness felt like a natural extension of who I am.
Through years of leadership experience, I learned that confidence transforms a woman’s life. When a woman feels good about herself, she becomes unstoppa ble. VIXIE was born from my belief that wellness is central to self-worth. Women often prioritise everyone else while neglecting their own health and well-being. VIXIE represents resilience, grace, and reinvention. It encourages women to invest in themselves, especially during life transitions. For me, it was about building a brand that celebrates strength and self-care, reminding women that prioritizing themselves is not selfish, it is necessary.
Q You currently work with a leading private hospital in Sri Lanka. How does this role align with your broader professional mission?
My work in healthcare aligns seamlessly with my current purpose. It allows me to apply my professional expertise while contributing to a sector that directly impacts lives. Healthcare is not just about systems and processes, it is about dignity, compassion, and trust. In this role, I see myself as serving a larger mission, ensuring transparency, fairness, and ethical practices. It reinforces my belief that professional success is most meaningful when it contributes positively to society and supports people during their most vulnerable moments.
Q As a single woman who underwent a kidney transplant, what inner strength helped you survive and stay hopeful during that time?
Health truly is wealth. When I lost my health, I faced one of the most defining moments of my life. I had a choice to surrender to fear or to fight for my future. I chose to fight. Being a single woman added layers of complexity, from financial uncertainty to emotional vulnerability. What sustained me was a strong foundation built on self-belief and perseverance. I also learned the power of relationships. When you live with integrity and earn trust, support appears when you need it most. Friends and family stood by me, reminding me of the goodness in humanity. My inner strength came from resilience, faith, and an unwavering belief that my life still had purpose. I learned that true strength also lies in accepting help and allowing others to care for you.
Q Looking back today, how has that experience reshaped your outlook on life, success, and purpose?
That experience completely redefined my understanding of success. Today, success means balance, gratitude, meaningful work, and strong relationships. I value health, time, and peace far more than titles or material achievements. Life taught me that resilience is not just about endurance. It is about healing, learning, and growing with grace. I approach life with deeper awareness, patience, and appreciation for every moment.
Q What message would you give to women facing serious health challenges who feel alone or afraid?
You are far stronger than you realize, and you do not have to walk this journey alone. Accept support, trust your inner strength, and believe in recovery one step at a time. Life may pause, but it does not end. There is hope, healing, and purpose waiting for you ahead.
- One word to describe your journey? Resilience
- Your biggest strength? Perseverance
- Your favorite leadership quality? Integrity
- One lesson life taught you the hard way? Health and peace matter more than titles
- Your definition of success today? Inner peace with meaningful contribution
- Morning routine or night owl? Morning routine
- Your biggest motivation? Purpose-driven impact
- A woman leader you admire? Mother Theresa
- One dream still on your bucket list? To mentor and uplift more women specifically in sales
- One piece of advice you’d give your younger self? Trust yourself and don’t rush!
