The Nature of Change: Lessons of Determination, Resilience, and Hope from the Outside World

Gardiyawasam, Pumudi: - Pumudi Gardiyawasam was born and raised in Sri Lanka and is currently based in Toronto, Canada. She is a self-taught, digital children's book illustrator. As a child, she was passionate about both art and nature, which led her to a degree in zoology. But she never lost her passion for art. In 2019, she made the career change to become a full-time children's book illustrator. Pumudi looks to combine her natural art talent with what she learned in university to educate young children about nature and its importance, leading younger generations toward making a better world for all living beings. When she is not drawing, Pumudi loves experimental cooking, hiking, camping, reading books, and watching movies with her husband.