Léonie received a double B.A., in Fashion Design, and Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin after relocating highest in her class from Luxembourg. She began her career at 16, as a designer, and a teacher at a learning center. Here she discovered her instinct for operations and strategy development leading her to single handedly generate +$31M in under 9 months as the first employee of F1 US.
Shortly after, at 24, Léonie formed Santebien Consulting where she directed operations, strategy and strategic partnerships leading growth teams in various sectors for clients including Whole Foods, Formula 1 and Pirelli.
After working predominantly in male dominated industries Léonie recognized her lack of female mentorship in the workplace and dedicated more time to philanthropic programs supporting women owned businesses, and women empowerment solutions. Ultimately, moving to D.C. to pursue a career in International Development and Education, and formed her passion project 'BEAM' - a career matchmaking virtual mentorship platform.
By 2018, Léonie worked with 18+ companies, gaining insight to 42, of which 3 were acquired. She was founding member of 8 companies, on the board of various non-profits and dedicated 1 month of every year to volunteer her expertise and time to missions of interest. Léonie relocated to NYC to lead Business Development & Strategy at a venture fund where she currently resides.
Originally growing up between Austin,TX, Sri Lanka, and Luxembourg, Léonie grew up intercontinental. And, serves as an advisor for startups in education and technology. In her free time, she designs, seeks adventure travel where she has explored 32 countries with the dream of someday reaching 190+. She is fluent in 4 languages, lives in the East Village and seeks opportunities to boost our planet's eco-system and health through education and investing in tech and AI.
Santebien Consulting, founded in 2012, capitalizes on 15 years of business development, global urban development, business operations analysis, sponsorship sales, contract negotiation and various solutions to advise C-suite of startups, non-profits, and enterprises across multiple verticals in the United States, Asia, Europe and Central America.
Advanced solutions include helping emerging companies/projects with:
BEAM : Business Education Advancement through Mentorship is a career matchmaking and virtual mentorship platform founded by Léonie Weerakoon. BEAM focuses on reforming education through unconventional mentorship leading the path to passion discovery and long-term holistic lives and happy careers. The program prepares students and workers of all levels of profession to identify industry and role deal breakers prior to pursuing their careers or overspending on their education. In addition their assessments promote passion discovery and give insight to various professions across 33 industries.
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Speaking Topics:
Innovation
Business Growth
Ed-Tech
Mentorship
Passion Discovery
Pursuing Your Purpose
Declutter Yourself
Art & Design
Food & Beverage E-commerce
Business Analysis & Partnerships
Venture Capital
Business Development & Strategy
Oil & Energy E-Commerce
Business Development & Growth
Experiential Marketing
Field Marketing & Research Analysis
The highest class of single-seater auto racing.
Business Development & Events
Fintech SAAS
Business Development & Strategy
International Development | Women Helping Women
Formed first International Program to support sustainable development in Nepal
Initiative DevelopmentEvents & Strategic Partnerships
EdTech E-Commerce
Manage
Language Learning SAAS
Business Development & Strategy
Motorsports Facility
Partnerships, Sales, Operations, Merchandising, Marketing, Customer Success, Events, Brand Development
#1 rated Major Sports VIP Events
Operations, Growth, Event Production
Fashion & Design
Illustration & Event Production
Motorsports
Partnerships & Major Events
Sustainable Agriculture
Dominican Republic
Brand and Initiative Development
I'm ready to create effective solutions, work on philanthropic endeavors, brain storm, travel the world, design plans and even the next luxe outfit to walk the runway.
Ideate | Build your brand | Get New Business | Need advice | Design