Meet the Team

Craig Barnett

CEO – Co Founder

Dhanushka Thenabadu

Head of Sales & Marketing – Indian Ocean

Malinda De Silva

Assistant Operations Manager

Kristína Oravec

Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing

Chirath Perera

Accountant

Daniel Santiago-Díaz

Sales Representative - North America

Krishani Dimuthi

Reservations Executive

Craig Barnett

CEO – Co Founder

Favourite quote: "Success is not final, Failure is not Fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts" – Winston Churchill"

Favourite destination: The Maldives.. where else?

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
Starting in the Tech world, After a couple of visits to the Maldives, we wanted to make the best beaches and water in the world accessible for everyone, so Koveli was born and it has been a whirlwind since.

Describe your job in three words: Service, People, Technology

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
We are lucky enough to have an awesome team of highly talented and motivated people from all round the world who are all overly excited with what the future holds for Koveli.

How do you take your coffee? Americano or espresso (only in the morning)

What are your next travel plans? Koveli is taking me all over the world, so I am very lucky to say I will continue to visit many amazing countries.

Dhanushka Thenabadu

Head of Sales & Marketing – Indian Ocean

Favourite quote: Veni, Vidi, Vici

Favourite destination: Himalayas - Nepal

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry? Out of pure jealousy! A few of my close friends are in the industry and they were all enjoying the benefits the travel industry offers... so I pestered them long enough for me to get an opportunity to work alongside them. I've never looked back!

Describe your job in three words: ‘Right Hand Man’ – Self Proclaimed

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team? The exposure you get from being a part of a startup is invaluable and seeing the impact of your work regardless of how small it is, is rewarding.

How do you take your coffee?  Latte for me please!

What are your next travel plans?  Mount Killimanjaro or Mount Fiji during cherry blossom season.

Malinda De Silva

Assistant Operations Manager

Favourite quote: “If you don’t have any enemies in your life, you have not stood up for anything”

Favourite destination: Amongst the ones visited, Australia tops the list.

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry? I started as an accounting personnel for a Sri Lankan Travel agency, and later had the opportunity to be a part of the opening of the Maldives office where I really found my interest to pursue in the hospitality industry.

Describe your job in three words: Opportunity, challenge and excited.

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team? The feeling of been a part of something that would be known globally and to have done it with a team who looks only at progress, is promising.

How do you take your coffee? With a touch of milk and sugar.

What are your next travel plans? I am planning to Visit Philippines and Vietnam soon!

Kristína Oravec

Assistant Manager Sales & Marketing

Favourite quote: "Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own." Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Favourite destination: There are so many beautiful places in this world that it is hard to choose just one. Each country, each place has its unique vibe, atmosphere and people who add to our experience. My favorite destinations would be Morocco, Netherlands and last but not least my homes Slovakia and Maldives.

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry? My life was always about traveling. I had a chance to live abroad since I have been 17 years old. I had always thought that the corporate life would make me happy because that is where I could use my languages, interest in math (yes, it was my favorite subject back in the school) and travel the world. This has influenced my choices about my career path which I wanted to follow. However, already during my university I took seasonal jobs for travel agencies and hotels, where I have realized that I might not be the office 9-5 person so after graduating from master's, the decision where I want to go was pretty easy. Consultancy in travel is as important as much as it is in any other industry, ultimately because we all travel on vacation at some point.

Describe your job in three words: I call it 3Cs - being creative, connecting and customer-oriented

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team? The warming feeling when you receive good feedback from your clients about how they enjoyed their vacation. Holiday stands for escape from the reality. Being part of it, even if in virtual form make me feel better that I am able to help people. Moreover, I am able to combine two things which I like the most, traveling and sharing my experience to advice others.

How do you take your coffee? Always with milk. I joke I drink milk with coffee and not coffee with milk.

What are your next travel plans? Going home to Slovakia to see my parents.

Chirath Perera

Accountant

Favourite quote: "If your dreams don’t scare you they are too small" – Richard Branson

Favourite destination: New Zealand

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
I've always loved numbers and really enjoyed my degree, so I obviously knew this was the path for me since I was young. I started my career in public accounting with a Big Four firm in audit. Audit allowed me the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and industries. While my experience has ranged across tourism and hospitality, manufacturing, and financial services, I found myself most interested in the tourism and hospitality sector and became one of the youngest accountants in the Maldives.

Describe your job in three words: Counting, Analise, Communicate

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
Everyone is so helpful and willing to be a resource

How do you take your coffee? Cappuccino Everywhere !!! Anytime!!!

What are your next travel plans? Always Sri Lanka, where my loved ones live

Daniel Santiago-Díaz

Sales Representative – North America

Favourite quote: "I know is that I know nothing" Socrates

Favourite destination: Saint Helena Island

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
I've been an independent sales representative in the travel industry for almost 15 years working with Tourist Boards as well as airfare consolidators. I love helping travel advisors create amazing itineraries for clients.

Describe your job in three words: Collaborative, fast-paced, rewarding

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
Love working with a team that is absolutely committed to our goal. The product/service we are offering is absolutely fantastic, so it's also not difficult to entice clients to book with us, and that helps a lot!

How do you take your coffee? Black + 2 Stevia

What are your next travel plans? A European tour with my parents but still on the works!

Krishani Dimuthi

Reservations Executive

Favourite quote: Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get, If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Favourite destination: Canada

Tell us about your background - how did you get into the industry?
I began working in the hotel industry at the start, and I enjoyed giving guests a pleasant experience.

Describe your job in three words: Enthusiastic, Confident , Friendly

Best thing about being part of the Koveli team?
Being a part of a successful team, feeling of camaraderie and support.

How do you take your coffee? Not a coffee fan.

What are your next travel plans? Visit Canada

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