Fortude, a global digital technology solutions company, has reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) with the successful conclusion of the second edition of Ignite, Sri Lanka’s first all-female technology internship program.
Held from 11th to 22nd August, Ignite 2.0 brought together 12 young women from six leading universities for two weeks of immersive learning, mentorship, and industry exposure. The program was designed to equip participants with both technical knowledge and professional skills, preparing them to be successful future leaders in the technology industry.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges around female participation and retention in technology. As AI continues to reshape every industry, without proactive upskilling and inclusive pathways the changes could deepen these inequalities. Ignite was conceived to address this challenge head-on by providing a structured pathway for women to enter—and thrive in the evolving tech ecosystem.
Commenting on the second edition, Oshana Dias, Chief People Officer at Fortude said: “Ignite is not just an internship, it is our commitment to reshaping the future of technology. We believe that balanced gender representation is essential to driving innovation and competitiveness. Through Ignite, we are creating a platform where young women are equipped with the skills, mentorship, and confidence to lead from the outset of their careers. This is how we begin to close the industry gap and build a technology sector that is more inclusive, resilient, and prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Ignite 2.0 featured more than 25 curated sessions and 600+ learning hours, supported by over 40 Fortude facilitators. Each intern was paired with a mentor, ensuring personalized guidance and at least two dedicated ‘mentor connects’. The learning plan was designed to provide a holistic understanding of the technology industry, exposure to Fortude’s practices, and professional development for a smoother transition into the corporate world.
Participants engaged in Fortude’s Inside Fortude deep-dive series covering consulting, AI, and product development, along with workshops on corporate etiquette, personal branding, LinkedIn strategy, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They also connected with Fortude’s leadership through a fireside chat, panel discussions with women in tech, and an alumni sharing session, while the company’s Guiding Leadership & Outreach (GLO) team conducted two full-day immersive engagements.
To strengthen emotional resilience, interns took part in art therapy, gratitude circles, and reflection sessions. Real-world exposure was provided through visits to the Cleantech Circular Economy Facility, Brandix Welisara Office and Brandix’s SMART factory in Katunayake. The program culminated in an Innovation Challenge, where interns worked in pairs to identify customer pain points and propose technology-driven solutions to real industry challenges, bringing together everything they had learned into practice.
Reflecting on the experience, Leeza Gilbert, Computer Science undergrad from NSBM said: “Ignite gave me the confidence to see myself not just as an intern, but as a future leader in technology. Over these two weeks, the mentorship, exposure, and support I received showed me that women can and must play a leading role in shaping the future of tech. A program like Ignite breaks barriers and opens doors for the next generation of women in tech.”
Fortude’s continued investment in DEI has earned widespread recognition. The company was named a Top 10 Women-Friendly Workplace by AICPA-CIMA and Satyn in 2024, received the Silver Award in the DEI Champions category at the 2025 CIMA JXG Pinnacle Awards earlier this year.