Bachelor of Arts in International Studies • American University of Sharjah
Bio
Menaka graduated from the American University of Sharjah with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in December of 2019. She discovered her passion for social and environmental sustainability during her two years leading the Community Services department at her university. More so, she discovered that she wanted her career to make a long-term impact.
After graduation, Menaka completed various sustainability-related internships in Dubai among start-ups, NGOs, and even the private sector. She eventually found her ideal role as a Public Affairs and Sustainability & Responsibility Executive at Pernod Ricard Asia. During her time at Pernod, Menaka supported in implementing the Group’s extensive sustainability roadmap across fourteen markets in Asia including India and China. In addition, Menaka supported the public affairs team in monitoring, analyzing, and influencing environmental policies in APAC markets. Working in Pernod Ricard, Menaka also led the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance’s (APISWA) Sustainability Working Group where her primary focus was to analyze and influence Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in APAC markets. During this time, she created a position on EPRs which was adopted by all members of APISWA.
In her free time, Menaka enjoys reading about global politics, trying new types of food and spending time outdoors.