Devni
Vihara

Devni is an award-winning content creator, speaker, writer, model, and activist, recognized globally for her leadership in intersectionality and social justice. She has been awarded the 2024 Global Citizen Youth Leader Award in the Asia Pacific region and the 2023 Australian South Asian Stellar Woman Award in the Content Creator category.

As a prominent advocate for gender equality, anti-colourism, and access to justice, Devni's work spans grassroots, national, and international platforms. She has collaborated with global media outlets like CNN on anti-colourism campaigns, modeled for fashion labels to champion dark-skinned South Asian representation, and raised over $35,000 for Sri Lanka's economic crisis through social media fundraising efforts. Devni leverages her creative voice and lived experiences to build an equitable future for young people, regardless of their intersectional identities.

Devni's commitment to fostering a more just world is reflected in her extensive impact. She has cultivated an online community of over 12,000 engaged individuals and conducted workshops with over 200 participants on crucial social justice issues at high schools and universities. Her collaborations with organizations such as Global Citizen, iProbono, and the Australian Network on Disability have facilitated tangible progress towards inclusivity and equity. Through her workshops and public speaking engagements, Devni addresses and bridges societal divides, particularly those affecting young people and women. Her global perspective, enriched by living and working in London, Colombo, and Melbourne, informs her approach to activism and leadership.

As a recognized Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum, Devni is part of an initiative uniting young leaders under 30 to tackle critical local, regional, and global challenges. With a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics and Gender Studies and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne, Devni's academic background further underpins her dedication to intersectional advocacy and transformative social change.