Sophia is an international development professional, founder of Papilia, and culture etiquette expert. She began her professional career in 2003, motivated by what she witnessed when she was 10 years old in Sri Lanka. Her desire for creating global impact has taken her to over 30 countries, working with international and local clients on contracts upwards of $500 million.

In 2014, Sophia left her full-time job to pursue her dreams of starting her own business. One month after departing, she was faced with an event that almost took her life. She was in a car accident, hit by three cars and an 18-wheeler head-on. She realized the fragility of life, and decided to live life full of purpose and intention.

In 2015, Sophia started a new chapter full of experiences and enlightenment. She sold her house and all her belongings, ready for a fresh start. It was around this time where the idea for Papilia emerged. The concept was born out of a passion for travel and curiosity to experience culture in a mindful and responsible way. As an avid traveler, she spent hours researching cultural nuances and etiquette to ensure she would feel confident and comfortable in any business or leisure setting. She soon found a client base who identified with the same issues she experienced.

In 2016, her mother passed away unexpectedly. The value of life, loss, and human interaction was personified once again. She sought to balance her business and personal life while managing a tremendous amount of grief. Her goal is to motivate people to thrive through their personal values.

Sophia has combined her personal and professional experiences to develop customized cross cultural communication trainings for clientele who want to build confidence, influence their audience, and set themselves apart from their competition. Sophia has been featured in Forbes Magazine, and has spoken in numerous universities, and conferences. She received her BA from the University of Virginia and Masters in International Development Policy from Duke University.