Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Honours, Environment and Business • University of Waterloo
Bio
Nisal Siriwardana graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2019 with an Honours, Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment and Business. During his undergraduate studies, Nisal developed a deep interest in the role of governance and institutional capacity in achieving sustainability outcomes, an area he explored further through research on global water resource management and the enabling environments for SDG 6. These interests, alongside formative experiences living in Sri Lanka, Swaziland, and Israel-Palestine, nurtured a global outlook on equitable development and resource security.
Following his undergraduate degree, Nisal contributed to the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) as both a Research Assistant and Environmental Consultant. There, he co-authored a chapter on unconventional water resources published by Springer Nature and developed a regional water security indicator outlook framework for Sub-Saharan Africa. His interest in advancing sustainability through institutional systems and governance led him to pursue a career in the public sector, joining the Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM), a not-for-profit group purchasing organization serving Ontario’s broader public sector. As a Category Manager, he oversaw a $220 million contract portfolio, led supplier negotiations, developed ESG frameworks for sustainable public procurement, and implemented internal process improvements that saved over 750 hours of departmental employee time annually. He has also worked as a coop intern at MAS Holdings, a multi-national apparel manufacturing company based in Sri Lanka, developing a water efficiency audit tool aligned with American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards and supporting ISO 14064 certification efforts.
Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Nisal is passionate about capacity development at both corporate and national levels, with a particular interest in strengthening institutional frameworks that support sustainability. He enjoys travelling, personal fitness and playing squash. His international background, systems-thinking approach, and commitment to sustainability across public and private sectors position him to contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary solutions. Through the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program, Nisal aims to deepen his expertise in international development, sustainable procurement, and environmental governance.