Workforce Asia Summit

2026

Where the Conversations Shaping Work Happen

4 November 2026 · Colombo, Sri Lanka

Thank you for joining us. Your certificate, the session slides and the photos from the day are in the Participant Portal.

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Organized by

Sentiva

Why this exists

The workforce is being rewritten.

Artificial intelligence is changing how work gets done. Skills are becoming more important than traditional job structures. Workforce expectations are shifting, and organisations are being forced to rethink how they attract, develop and retain people.

Workforce Asia Summit brings together the people navigating that change — to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and build more capable, human and future-ready organisations.

Date4 November 20269.30 AM — 5.30 PM

VenueCinnamon LifeColombo, Sri Lanka

In the room300+CHROs, HR leaders & practitioners

Themes

Two defining conversations.

The 2026 summit centres on two interconnected ideas shaping how organisations build the workforce of tomorrow.

Skills-Based Organisations

As organisations move beyond traditional job structures, skills are becoming the foundation for workforce planning, hiring, learning, internal mobility and career growth.

Explore how organisations can adopt skills-first thinking to build more agile, resilient and future-ready workforces.

Talent Management

Organisations face growing pressure to attract, develop, engage and retain exceptional talent while workforce expectations continue to evolve.

Explore new approaches to talent strategy, leadership development, employee experience, succession, performance and organisational capability.

Accreditation

Attendance earns 5.25 SHRM recertification credits.

Sentiva LLC is recognised by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

Participants who hold SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® can claim 5.25 PDCs toward recertification. The details you need to claim them are on your Certificate of Participation in the Participant Portal.

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SHRM Recertification Provider — SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP

Sentiva LLC is a SHRM Recertification Provider.

Speakers

Voices shaping what’s next.

Four keynotes from international experts, technology and workforce leaders — each followed by a fireside chat.

Keynote

Coming Clean on AI in HR: Hard Truths, Untapped Potential

Yohan LiyanageFounder & CEO, Sentiva · Stanford GSB LEAD Distinguished Scholar · Forbes Technology Council Member

Technology entrepreneur with 18+ years spanning engineering and technology leadership, focused on using AI to transform how organizations understand talent, skills and human potential.

Keynote

Future of Work in the Age of AI

Dr. CJ MeadowsProfessor & Director, i2e — The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, S P Jain School of Global Management

Innovation, AI and leadership expert. Harvard Business School DBA, former Accenture strategist and author of Fusion; recognised among the Top 10 Women in IT — Asia.

Keynote

Skills-Based Organisations and the Future of Talent

Anish LalchandaniGlobal Head of Talent Management, A.P. Moller — Maersk · Author, The Skills Advantage

Chartered Fellow of CIPD with 25+ years across Maersk, Standard Chartered, JLL and GE, focused on future skills, reskilling and workforce transformation.

Keynote

The Future of Work Isn’t About Jobs. It’s About Solving What Matters.

Zu Hui YapDirector, Strategy & Growth, Montfort Care

Transformation and HR leader with 15+ years advising C-suite leaders and boards; led HR transformation and future-of-work readiness for 25,000 employees at Singtel.

Leadership Panel

Rethinking Talent: What Will Great Talent Management Look Like Next?

The future of talent management isn’t about finding the right people for today’s roles. It’s about recognising the potential for tomorrow’s challenges. As skills evolve, expectations shift and traditional career paths change, organisations must rethink what they look for, how they develop people and what makes talent truly valuable. This conversation challenges conventional approaches to talent management and explores what it takes to build a workforce ready for what comes next.

Panelist

Ruwindhu Peiris

Partner, Grant Thornton Stax

Business leader with 16 years building a global delivery model for US mid-market private equity firms. Former Chairman of SLASSCOM and Founding Charter Member of TiE Colombo, focused on developing globally competitive talent.

Panelist

Chethana Liyanage

Chief Talent Officer, Capital Maharaja Group

Talent and leadership professional, former CEO of the Maharaja Institute of Management, who began her career as MTV’s first news anchor. Winner of the Global CEO Top Businesswoman Award 2025 for talent management.

Panelist

Azadeh Entezami

Director of Professional Development, Coach Masters Academy

Transformational mindset and leadership coach with 7+ years helping leaders build the adaptability, resilience and growth mindsets future-ready workforces need. Trains professionals across industries in foundational and advanced coaching.

Panelist

Ruwani Alwishewa

Chief Operating Officer, Great Place to Work Sri Lanka

Workplace culture specialist with 10+ years assessing organisations’ people practices and how employees experience their culture. Trained in research methodology and survey analysis; delivers insights to leadership teams.

Moderator

Kaushal Mendis

Chief Executive Officer, ARA · Managing Director, MÕVA

People and business leader with 20+ years in HR and organisational transformation, having led HR at Daraz, DHL Express and Pizza Hut Sri Lanka. Speaker, executive coach and researcher on inclusive employment.

Programme

One focused day. A deliberately paced programme.

Four keynotes with fireside chats, two interactive experiences, two enterprise case studies and a leadership panel — with room to talk in between.

01Four KeynotesInternational expert voices, each followed by a fireside chat.

02Two Interactive SessionsHR Decoded and Talent Hunt — the room takes part.

03Two Enterprise Case StudiesAitken Spence and Smart Quest on transforming talent and capability in practice.

04Leadership PanelSenior practitioners debate what great talent management looks like next.

05Exhibitor ShowcaseOrganisations bringing ideas, technology and innovation to the future of work, open all day.

06Networking ThroughoutCoffee, lunch, afternoon tea and a close built for conversation.

8.30 AMRegistration, Coffee & Networking

9.30 AMOpening — Workforce Asia Summit 2026

9.50 AMKeynote — Yohan LiyanageComing Clean on AI in HR: Hard Truths, Untapped Potential · followed by a fireside chat

10.40 AMHR Decoded — Interactive Audience ExperienceAn engaging, game-based experience that puts your HR instincts to the test.

11.00 AMKeynote — Dr. CJ MeadowsFuture of Work in the Age of AI · followed by a fireside chat

11.55 AMEnterprise Case Study with Aitken SpenceA real-world perspective on using AI to transform talent acquisition at scale.

12.45 PMLunch & Networking

1.45 PMSpa Ceylon — Wellness ExperienceA refreshing moment of wellness and rejuvenation.

2.00 PMTalent Hunt — Interactive Team ChallengeA collaborative challenge exploring skills, teamwork and hidden potential.

2.20 PMEnterprise Case Study with Smart QuestExploring how strategic leadership development and capability building drive organisational transformation.

2.40 PMKeynote — Anish LalchandaniSkills-Based Organisations and the Future of Talent · followed by a fireside chat

3.25 PMAfternoon Tea & Networking

3.45 PMKeynote — Zu Hui YapThe Future of Work Isn’t About Jobs. It’s About Solving What Matters. · followed by a fireside chat

4.35 PMLeadership PanelRethinking Talent: What Will Great Talent Management Look Like Next?

5.35 PMNetworking & Booth ExperiencesContinue the conversations, make new connections and explore our partner experiences.

Region

Starting in Colombo. Built for Asia.

Workforce Asia Summit happens in Sri Lanka — creating a starting point for a broader regional conversation around talent, capability and the future of work.

Sri Lanka is entering a period of workforce transformation, creating an opportunity for organisations, practitioners and leaders to shape how skills-based thinking, modern talent practices and responsible AI are adopted.

Partners

HR Community PartnerAssociation of HR Professionals Sri LankaSri Lanka’s largest community of HR professionals, advancing people practices and the standards of the profession.

Exclusive Airline PartnerSriLankan AirlinesConnecting people and destinations through Sri Lanka’s national airline.

Wellness PartnerSpa CeylonBringing the essence of Sri Lankan Ayurveda and wellness to the Summit experience.

Event PartnerDream EnlightBringing the Summit to life and creating a seamless, memorable event experience.

Talent Development PartnerSmart QuestEmpowering individuals and organisations through learning, talent development and professional growth.

Coaching PartnerCoach Masters AcademyDeveloping leaders and unlocking human potential through professional coaching.

Print Media PartnerDaily FTDelivering business news, insights and perspectives to Sri Lanka’s corporate community.

Workplace Excellence PartnerGreat Place To Work®Helping organisations build high-trust workplace cultures where people and businesses thrive.

Cake PartnerA&M CupcakesAdding a sweet touch to the Summit with handcrafted cakes and treats.

PR PartnerGood PRBuilding meaningful connections between brands and audiences through strategic public relations and communications.

Videography PartnerPR Eye FilmsBringing every keynote, panel and conversation at the Summit to screen.

Photography PartnerGlobal ImageCapturing every keynote, panel and connection at the Summit.

Gifting PartnerTea TangSharing a gift of fine Ceylon tea with Summit guests.

Workplace Design Solutions PartnerARAShaping workplaces that inspire people and possibilities.

Official Furniture and Lifestyle PartnerMovaShaping workplaces that inspire people and possibilities.

Retail Experience PartnerSPARAdding a special touch to the Summit experience with a thoughtful gift for every attendee.

Strategic Creative PartnerAmazing VibezBringing strategic thinking and creative ideas to life through innovative solutions.

Corporate Portrait PartnerHead ShotCapturing your professional moments with high-quality corporate headshots at Workforce Asia Summit 2026.