Meet Amalika Ranasinghe | Senior Executive and Funder, Change The Cycle Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amalika Ranasinghe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amalika, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In June of 2020, I had an “aha” moment. While working as a Senior Director at a medical group, I felt incredibly empowered, and I wanted young women around the world to experience that same sense of empowerment. This led me, along with my husband Chamil Hettiarachchi, to found Change the Cycle Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young women in pursuing STEM education.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What set me apart was being an immigrant in this country, arriving without knowing anyone when I came here to pursue my education. I’m from a small island called Sri Lanka, specifically from the town of Kandy, where opportunities were very limited while I was growing up.

I first arrived in Connecticut, having never traveled before, and experienced my first snowfall during my first semester. After earning my degree, I was granted one year to work, but as an international student, it was extremely difficult to find employment, especially with a company willing to sponsor my work visa. For nine challenging months, I searched for a job, with only a few months left on my visa.

One day, I received a call from a woman offering me a job in Alabama. At that time, I was in California, and I was ready to pack up my car and drive across the country. Then, she called back and said, “Wait, we have a branch in San Diego.” I was elated! This marked the beginning of my 20-year-long IT career.

The lesson I learned through all of this is that no matter the circumstances you face, never give up. This is also why I founded Change the Cycle—to help young women change their circumstances and create opportunities for themselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Disneyland
We’d kick off the trip with a full day at Disneyland, “The Happiest Place on Earth.” It’s a magical experience, no matter how old you are. We’d ride the classic attractions, catch a parade, and wrap up the day with fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle. For dinner, we could indulge in the famous Dole Whip and grab something fun at the Blue Bayou restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean.

Day 2: Santa Monica & Venice Beach
A perfect beach day! We’d start at Santa Monica Pier, grabbing breakfast at one of the beachfront cafés, and then stroll along the pier, ride the Ferris wheel, and enjoy the ocean views. From there, we’d walk or bike down the coast to Venice Beach, taking in the eclectic street performers, muscle beach gym, and all the cool shops. Dinner could be at a trendy Venice restaurant, like Gjelina, followed by drinks at one of the rooftop bars with views of the ocean.

Day 3: Hollywood & Griffith Observatory
A trip to LA isn’t complete without a visit to Hollywood. We’d walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, take some touristy photos with the stars and visit the TCL Chinese Theatre. Later in the afternoon, we’d head up to Griffith Observatory for incredible views of the city, especially at sunset. We’d also check out the observatory exhibits and maybe catch a planetarium show. Dinner at a trendy Hollywood spot like Musso & Frank Grill.

Day 4: The Getty Center & Malibu
Start the day with a visit to The Getty Center—beautiful gardens, incredible art, and stunning views of LA. It’s the perfect blend of culture and relaxation. Afterward, we’d head out to Malibu, grabbing lunch at Malibu Farm on the pier and spending the afternoon lounging at Zuma Beach. We could wrap up with dinner at Nobu Malibu, a stylish spot right on the ocean.

Day 5: Downtown LA & The Arts District
Explore the heart of downtown LA. We’d start with brunch at Grand Central Market, then visit The Broad Museum for some contemporary art and take a peek at the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. In the afternoon, we’d wander around the Arts District, checking out galleries, street art, and cool shops. Drinks at one of the chic rooftop bars like Perch, with views of the skyline, and dinner at a hip restaurant like Bestia or Bavel.

Day 6: Universal Studios Hollywood
For more thrills, we’d spend the day at Universal Studios Hollywood, riding the attractions and exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We’d take a studio tour to see behind the scenes of famous movie sets. Dinner would be at CityWalk after the park closes, where we could choose from a variety of restaurants and catch some live music.

Day 7: Relaxing Day in LA
For the last day, we’d keep it more laid-back. Brunch in West Hollywood, then maybe explore The Grove for some shopping and people-watching. We could visit LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and check out the iconic Urban Light installation. In the evening, we’d go for a final sunset at a rooftop bar, perhaps at E.P. & L.P., before having a memorable dinner at a trendy spot like Catch LA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband played an instrumental role in bringing Change the Cycle Inc. (CTC) to where it is today. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Calabasas community, especially my mom group, for their unwavering support over the last years. Lastly, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Jesa Townsend, our Executive Director, who is working tirelessly to take CTC to the next level of success.

Website: https://www.changethecycleinc.com/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changethecycleinc?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

Image Credits
Donna Wilson
Chamil Hettiarachchi
Jesa Townsend