In the realm of education, there are leaders who inspire from the frontlines, and then there are those who lead by questioning and challenging the status quo. Delani Nilmini Ratwatte, Chief Operating Officer of Nilmini Consulting, is one of these transformative leaders. With over three decades of experience in the education sector, her journey is one of passion, compassion, and a relentless commitment to educational equity and innovation. As she looks toward her next chapter, Nilmini is not just reflecting on her past accomplishments but actively shaping the future of education by ensuring that no student is left behind.
Building bridges for a global classroom
When you speak with Nilmini, the first thing you notice is her unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. Born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, she spent her early years in a Montessori setting, where she first discovered her love for teaching. This early exposure to the classroom environment planted the seed for what would become a lifelong passion for guiding others toward success. However, it wasn’t until she transitioned to Ontario that Nilmini’s vision for education began to take a more global form. “When I first came to Ontario, I didn’t just want to be a teacher; I wanted to be part of something bigger,” she explains. After 33 years in the classroom, Nilmini retired at the age of 47, but her passion for education never waned. “Retirement wasn’t the end,” she says. “It was the beginning of a new opportunity to make a larger impact. I wanted to create opportunities for all students, regardless of their background, to succeed. Education, to me, is the key to empowerment, and I wanted to be the architect of that change.” That vision evolved into Nilmini Consulting, a company she built from the ground up with a mission to empower educational professionals, foster collaboration between educators, parents, and communities, and ultimately put students at the center of every decision made. “Nilmini Consulting is not just a business; it’s a movement,” she says. “It’s about creating an ecosystem where every stakeholder—teachers, administrators, custodians, technical staff—plays a role in a student’s success.”
Nilmini’s rise to success in education wasn’t without its challenges. Early on, she grappled with the limited time and resources that are often the reality for teachers. Yet, rather than becoming overwhelmed, she turned these challenges into learning opportunities. “Time was always a challenge. In teaching, there’s never enough of it. But you have to be intentional with your time,” Nilmini reflects. Her solution was to prioritize daily check-ins with students. “I made sure to connect with each student, whether it was through a quick conversation at their locker or a high-five at the door. It’s about building relationships, which is what fosters trust and ultimately leads to success.” Another challenge Nilmini encountered was the systemic practices that hindered equitable access to resources for all students. “Equity isn’t about giving everyone the same thing. It’s about ensuring everyone gets what they need to succeed,” she emphasizes. An example she often points to is how field trip fees can sometimes exclude students from experiences that are vital to their learning. “If a school has the resources, there’s no reason why a child should miss out because of financial constraints. Equity means ensuring that every child has the same opportunity, regardless of their circumstances.” Her commitment to this philosophy was one of the driving forces behind her decision to transition from teaching to leading Nilmini Consulting. “I wanted to create a platform where equity wasn’t just a buzzword. It was something we lived and breathed in everything we did. From hiring to the services, we provide, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of Nilmini Consulting,” she asserts.
Creating opportunities
Nilmini’s approach to leadership is grounded in her own experiences—both as a teacher and as an immigrant who had to navigate a new educational system. “To be really honest, I would say love what you do and be good at what you do—that is how I always choose the path I take in life. My success was never what people made me do; it was through aspiring to be my best self by giving, creating change, and leading others to make the change,” she says. “Independence to lead the life you want is inspirational.” As a mentor, she emphasizes the importance of empowering others to find their own voice and lead authentically. “The most effective leaders are those who don’t just tell people what to do; they inspire others to step into their own power,” she says. “I’ve always believed in the importance of mentorship. It’s about leading by example and showing others how they can create change in their own way.” Her blogs, Equity and Inclusion Just Got Better and Mentorship Matters, are a testament to this belief. In it, she shares insights and strategies for new teachers, emphasizing the importance of ethical leadership and high professional standards. She offers advice on how to advance the field of education in the Travel the World podcast series. Through her Ytube and social media, she helps others build positive networking opportunities in educational practices. She has also been in charge of creating project-based learning curriculum, such as the World Water Day Lesson (about space innovation) and Earth Day Lesson (about taking care of earth), which served as the foundation for UNESCO courses to empower collaboration among educators. It made it possible to get in touch with business, make improvements, hear what people were learning, and practically start a change chain reaction. “Leadership isn’t about titles,” she says. “It’s about earning respect through your actions and your commitment to making a difference.”
This philosophy extends to her work at Nilmini Consulting, where she is currently focused on hiring and building a team of professionals who share her values of equity and innovation. “When I hire, I’m looking for people who are not just technically skilled but who have a deep passion for making a difference. This isn’t just a job; it’s a calling.” In fact, Nilmini believes that leadership in education is about more than just influencing individuals; it’s about influencing entire systems. “I see leadership as an opportunity to create systemic change,” she says. “Whether it’s advocating for better policies or introducing new professional development programs, the goal is always the same: ensuring that every educator has the support and resources they need to thrive.”
"I made sure to connect with each student, whether it was through a quick conversation at their locker or a high-five at the door."
A future focused on global impact
While Nilmini has already made significant strides in her career, she shows no signs of slowing down. Her vision for the future of education is one where student-centered programming is the norm, not the exception. “The future of education has to be about making sure that no child is left behind,” Nilmini says. “It’s about ensuring that every student has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.” To that end, Nilmini is currently working on several exciting initiatives, including an online platform to make educational resources accessible to a wider audience, business networking events, and an Empowered Educator Professional Development series. These projects are designed not only to equip educators with the tools they need but also to foster a sense of community and collaboration among educators across the globe. Moreover, Nilmini is committed to expanding her reach internationally, with plans to create scholarship programs for students in developing countries and foster partnerships with organizations like UNESCO and the United Nations. “Education has no borders,” she says. “The future of education is global, and I want to be part of that change.”
Leaving a lasting mark
As Nilmini reflects on her career and the impact she hopes to leave behind, she is quick to highlight the importance of empowering the next generation of leaders. “For the next generation of women in education, my advice is simple: empower each other,” she says. “Leadership is not about competition; it’s about collaboration. It’s about creating the change you want to see in the world and doing it together.”
Nilmini’s own story demonstrates that conviction. From her early days playing teacher in Colombo to her leadership at Nilmini Consulting, she has always sought to empower others—whether students, educators, or communities—to reach their fullest potential. And in doing so, she has created a lasting legacy that will continue to shape the future of education for years to come. Nilmini’s work serves as a beacon of hope, innovation, and possibility in a society where education is the foundation for progress. By fostering collaboration, championing equity, and embracing diversity, she is ensuring that the next generation of students will inherit an education system that truly serves them. And in a world where so much is uncertain, that’s something we can all aspire to.
“I’ve lived to teach,” she says with a smile. “And now, I’m teaching to live—to make a lasting impact that will benefit generations to come.”
