Nela Nanayakkara De Soysa '89
Psychology
Additional Degrees: Master of Social Work, University of Georgia
Now: U.N. development action framework officer for the Office of the U.N. Resident Coordinator
Nela Nanayakkara De Soysa ’89 has taken a proactive approach to change and improve living conditions in her homeland of Sri Lanka.
While at Agnes Scott, De Soysa majored in psychology, then earned a master’s degree in social work at The University of Georgia. After completing her education, she returned to Sri Lanka.
Realizing that she wanted to be involved in work that brought results and change in people’s lives, she went to work for World Vision. After more than 11 years at World Vision, she became a U.N. development action framework officer for the Office of the U.N. Resident Coordinator with the task of supporting U.N. reform processes.
“My role is to support this consultative process in Sri Lanka,” De Soysa said. “What this means in real terms is that on a daily basis, I am on the phone or talking with folks in a multitude of agencies, trying to push forward joint initiatives. Not easy, but it can be very exhilarating when work is completed.
“Challenges for women are rife in both of our countries, but with courage and determination, we can make the lives of our daughters and the future generation of women better and safer than our own, and this is what we must try to do,” she said.
As for Agnes Scott, De Soysa calls it the best experience in her life—second only to motherhood.
“Agnes Scott gave me the space to grow up and to become a mature individual,” she said. “I know that different people are led in different ways. My experience at Agnes Scott taught me that, and I feel that we must live as ‘global citizens’ wherever we choose to live.”