Founder, Kalukanda House
Dee is an award-winning designer and founder of Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka, listed by Condé Nast as one of the “Best Places to Visit in Asia” in 2024.
Kalukanda House is a design-led destination built from the ground up in 2017. Dee’s focus is on using local design and storytelling to inform travel narratives about culture, mindset and modern Sri Lanka. She uses her platforms and her own podcast to showcase the island through its people and founded HERA Project X, Sri Lanka’s first platform showcasing creative female entrepreneurs. Dee’s hotel brings travellers and grassroots indigenous experiences together.
Dee is a regular speaker, host and panellist. She received the Woman Leader in Hospitality Award at the 2025 IWTTF Awards and was included in TravelPulse’s “23 Women to Watch in Travel in 2023”. Dee is Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Sri Lankan NGO Their Future Today.
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“These awards strengthen the visibility of women leaders and pioneers in the travel industry. Travel shapes cultural narratives and perceptions globally, and we work in a space that is critical to building bridges. The innovations and perspectives of women in the workforce tackle real-world issues, and this must be celebrated and highlighted. These are credible awards that are independently judged, and I encourage you to apply and showcase your important work.”