Naamal De Silva
About Naamal De Silva
Naamal De Silva is a Professorial Lecturer of Sustainability at The George Washington University, focusing on education and service to promote the intersection of nature and human wellbeing. She has held various roles in conservation and education, emphasizing diversity and access to nature.
Work at The George Washington University
Naamal De Silva has served as a Professorial Lecturer of Sustainability at The George Washington University since 2020. In this role, she focuses on creating change through education and service, particularly by exploring the intersections between nature and human wellbeing. Her work involves facilitating storytelling initiatives that aim to feature diverse perspectives in conservation.
Education and Expertise
Naamal De Silva holds a Doctorate in Education (EdD) from The George Washington University, which she completed between 2011 and 2018. She also earned a Master's in Environmental Management (MEM) from Yale University from 2001 to 2003. Additionally, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Environmental Studies from Swarthmore College from 1996 to 2000. In 2020, she achieved a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.
Background
Naamal De Silva has extensive experience in the field of conservation and sustainability. She worked as a Director of Conservation Priorities and Outreach at Conservation International from 2004 to 2012. Following that, she served as a Strategic Advisor at The George Washington University from 2014 to 2019. Since 2019, she has been a Consultant at Bernuth & Williamson and has also held the position of Chief Diversity Officer at American Bird Conservancy since 2021.
Achievements in Conservation and Education
Naamal De Silva is the founder of Mayla: Community for Nature, established in 2017, which focuses on increasing access to nature and the outdoors. In her current role at American Bird Conservancy, she works on creating new pathways into conservation careers through partnerships and engages in adaptive management and evaluation to enhance project outcomes.