Unlock Your Potential with SHIFT Coaching
Transformation
Our Mantra
Elevate Business, Evolve People
Our Purpose
We drive transformation through a people-centric approach—evolving individuals, organisations, and communities to realise their potential, lead with purpose, and create meaningful impact.
Our Values
Our Expertise
Strategy
Board and Advisory Councils
Organisational Restructures
Mergers and Acquisitions
SHIFT Mentoring
Change Management
Culture and Engagement
People Experience Digital Solution Advisory
Community Engagement and Advocacy
SHIFT Mentoring Model
- The SHIFT Mentoring Model is a comprehensive, people-centered framework designed to guide individuals, teams, and organisations through moments of change with purpose. It supports personal and professional growth by leading you through a structured process of discovery, visioning, and sustained transformation.
- SHIFT was born from a simple yet powerful realisation: everyone deserves the chance to grow and lead. Our founder saw talented young professionals, individuals entering or transitioning through the workforce at mid-career levels of organisations being left behind simply because traditional professional development was out of reach or budget.
- We created SHIFT—a mentoring model and community on a mission to make leadership and personal growth accessible to all, regardless of career stage or financial barriers. At SHIFT, we believe that personal development isn’t a luxury reserved for a few—it’s a right for everyone.
- With a desire to create more inclusive development opportunities, SHIFT was founded by Padmi Dissanayake after nearly 25 years in HR (People and Culture), having witnessed this gap firsthand. SHIFT was created to challenge the status quo—to offer affordable, accessible mentoring for all career stages, from early careers to executive leaders.
- Whether you’re entering the workforce, returning after a break, navigating a career shift, building a high-performing team, or leading transformative change across an organisation—SHIFT meets you where you are. By making world-class mentoring affordable and approachable, SHIFT aims to transform not just careers, but lives and communities along the way.
Programs Offered
Founded on expertise and a passion for growth, Lotus Transformations empowers clients through change. Our signature SHIFT Mentoring Model, developed by our founder, guides individuals, teams, and leaders with purpose, turning transitions into opportunities for success.
We understand that each person and organization has unique needs. That’s why SHIFT offers a range of coaching programs tailored to different audiences. Whether you’re an individual focused on your own growth, a manager building up your team, or a senior leader guiding an organization, our approach meets you where you’re at.
For Individuals
Empowering You to Thrive – Whether you’re a young professional seeking direction, a career changer navigating a new path, or returning to the workforce or after time away or transitioning, SHIFT’s individual mentoring is designed for you. We help you build confidence and clarity in your career journey.
For Teams
Growing Together – Teams and small businesses flourish when every member is supported to grow. SHIFT offers group mentoring and team-based workshops to help mid-level professionals and small-to-medium teams develop a shared growth mindset.
For Executives & Leaders
Leadership with Impact – Even experienced leaders need fresh perspective. SHIFT Mentoring supports senior executives and business owners to grow personally while uplifting their entire workforce.
Challenges in Traditional Learning & Development
In today’s world, traditional learning and development programs often fall short when it comes to personal and leadership
Consider some common challanges:
In short, the typical learning path emphasizes technical expertise while making critical personal growth an expensive, exclusive afterthought. The result is that many capable individuals – from new graduates to mid-career professionals – feel unsupported and stagnant, unsure how to reach the next level or help others do the same.
How SHIFT Solves These Challenges
This is where the SHIFT Mentoring Model comes in. SHIFT is a structured yet flexible approach designed to guide you through the core elements of lasting growth: developing self-awareness, setting clear goals, innovating new solutions, taking focused action, and ultimately achieving real transformation. It’s both a roadmap and a toolkit, equipping individuals and teams with practical skills and habits that drive success.
SHIFT stands for our five key pillars of development:
Every journey starts with looking inward. We help you understand your strengths, values, and blind spots so you can lead authentically and confidently.
Next, we work with you to establish a clear vision for your future. You’ll set meaningful goals and map out a direction that aligns with your passions and definition of success.
SHIFT encourages you to think creatively and embrace new approaches. By fostering innovation, you learn to overcome challenges with fresh ideas and see opportunities where others see obstacles.
Dreams and plans mean little without action. We break down your goals into manageable steps and build habits of purposeful, consistent progress. This is about staying focused on what matters most, even when life gets busy.
Finally, we guide you to embrace change and growth. Through reflection, feedback, and celebration of milestones, you’ll experience the transformation – a tangible, positive change in your career, your confidence, and your life.
Through this holistic model, SHIFT makes personal development approachable. It’s structured enough to provide direction, yet flexible enough to fit your unique situation. Whether you’re an individual mapping out your career or a leader developing your team, SHIFT provides a framework that you can rely on time and again. It’s not abstract theory – it’s a practical playbook for becoming the best version of yourself and helping others do the same.
History
Padmi Dissanayake is the Founder & CEO of Lotus Transformations, a strategic and people-focused Chief People Officer with over 25 years of experience leading transformative change across multinationals such as GE Healthcare, Pfizer, and ResMed; private enterprises including Arriba Group; and for-purpose organisations like SSI.
Born in Sri Lanka and raised across Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia, Padmi’s global upbringing shaped her adaptability and deep appreciation for human connection. This lived experience continues to guide her collaborative, people-centric leadership style and her commitment to helping others evolve.
She has worked with Boards, C-suite executives, individuals, and teams across 38 countries, leading complex change initiatives through M&As, restructures, digital transformation, and strategic workforce planning. A trusted mentor and coach, Padmi supports individuals and leaders to navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
Known for inspiring teams to connect their roles to a greater purpose, she fosters a sense of fulfilment and community impact. A strong advocate for diversity, inclusion, and well-being, she champions psychological safety and builds cultures of trust, respect, and accountability.
Her expertise lies in aligning people and business strategy—assessing workforce capabilities, operating models, and culture to craft tailored, sustainable solutions that help organisations thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Lotus Transformations, named after the lotus flower—symbolising resilience and growth—reflects Padmi’s purpose: to elevate business by evolving people, enabling individuals, teams, and organisations to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Padmi is a Fellow Certified Practitioner HR (FCPHR) and a Professional Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), underscoring her dedication to leadership, governance, and purpose-driven transformation.
Client Success Stories: What Our Partners Say
See how Lotus Transformations has helped individuals and organisations unlock their potential. Our Partners and Clients share how the SHIFT Mentoring Model has inspired meaningful change and lasting success.
Malini Tharumalingam
Padmi is known for her ability to influence business leaders with respect to talent management, and organizational development, driving cultural change initiatives to align HR strategy and enable commercial outcomes. She has a high level of energy, drive and confidence, and builds mutually beneficial relationships that delivers outstanding business results.
Steve Rowe
Padmi is a very experienced HR practitioner who has the rare talent of being able to translate ‘big picture’ strategy into practical execution on the ground. She also has seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm. Always a great pleasure to have Padmi on the same team.
Elaine Keating
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Padmi for over seven years, and she has made a remarkable impact on our change management function. Her creativity and innovative thinking consistently push those around her to think differently, ultimately elevating the team's capabilities. Padmi has invaluable experience driving change across regional and local levels in APAC, which has been transformative for our organization.
Lakshmi K
I feel incredibly fortunate to have Padmi Pathinather as my mentor. She takes a holistic approach to mentoring, addressing not just career growth but also health and happiness. Her guidance has significantly helped me refine my personal branding and develop effective strategies for handling challenging situations and people. She has inspired me to improve my net worth by networking
Natasha P
I came to SHIFT during a difficult career transition, unsure of my next step and facing complex employment issues. Padmi helped me identify my transferable skills, clarify my goals, and uncover new opportunities. Her practical, compassionate guidance gave me the confidence to move forward. I landed a role aligned with my values—and left the experience with more clarity and self-belief than I’ve had in years.
Thilini W
When I moved to Australia, I faced the pressure of supporting my children while navigating the job market and visa requirements. Without stable work, returning home felt inevitable. Through SHIFT, Padmi helped me uncover my strengths, define my goals, and find real opportunities. She understood both the emotional and practical challenges I was facing. With her support, I secured a role that met my visa needs and gave my family a future here. SHIFT was more than mentoring—it was a lifeline.
Annette S
I came to SHIFT with a dream of starting a business combining interior design and wellness, but I felt overwhelmed and unsure where to start. While juggling a full-time job, Padmi helped me clarify my values, strengths, and vision—aligning my purpose with my business idea. Together, we defined my brand, set realistic goals, and built the confidence to start taking on clients. SHIFT gave me more than structure—it gave me belief in myself