Co-founder and Operations Lead for North America, Certitude by K
Capabilities Coach and insurance Advisor, TD insurance

Muthuthantrige (Dilini) Fernando is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and advocate for ethical, sustainable business. A 2020 graduate of Mohawk College’s Business Analysis program, she is the Co-founder and Operations Lead of Certitude by K—a sustainable fashion line that grew from her family’s long-standing Sri Lankan batik business, now spanning over 30 years. Certitude by K blends traditional Sri Lankan batik craftsmanship with contemporary sustainable fashion.

The brand transforms discarded materials, especially denim, into wearable art while empowering underprivileged women through meaningful employment. Dilini oversees operations, workflow optimization, customer engagement, and brand development. She has led the expansion of the brand into Canada and the U.S., with notable appearances at New York Fashion Week (twice), LA Fashion Week, Climate Week San Francisco, and Hamilton Fashion Week, and also launched the brand’s online marketplace.

In 2025, Dilini was selected to represent Certitude by K at Women4Climate Toronto as one of the women-led sustainable businesses collaborating with the City of Toronto to support its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

Alongside her entrepreneurial work, Dilini is a Capabilities Coach and insurance Advisor at TD Insurance, where she mentors new hires and serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Paperless Adoption and Diversity & Inclusion. She played a key role in transitioning her team to a paperless system aligned with TD’s sustainability goals and regularly leads inclusive workshops to promote equity and collaboration.

Dilini is equally passionate about community service. She volunteers annually with Achilles Canada’s St. Patrick’s Day Run, supporting athletes with disabilities. Through the Taproot Foundation, she provides pro bono consulting to nonprofits. She also contributes to Hamilton Winterfest and serves as an ambassador for the TD United Way campaign, advocating for social impact. Her community efforts include representing TD at events like the Toronto Pride Parade, TD Gutsy Walk, and TD Ride for Heart, earning her the TD Community Champion Award (2024).

At Mohawk, Dilini earned certifications in Business Analysis, Change Management (IIBA), Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, and Data Analysis with IBM Cognos. She continues to apply these skills in both her corporate and entrepreneurial work.

Dilini draws strength from her close-knit circle—her courageous parents, her brother who oversees operations in Sri Lanka, and her sister Kanchana, co-founder and driving force behind the brand. She’s also supported by her partner Jason, who shares her passion for community impact, and close friends whose positive mindsets and shared values uplift and inspire her. Together, they form the foundation that fuels her purpose. 

To new graduates, she shares this advice:

"Surround yourself with people who lift you up—your circle shapes your mindset. Bring the right attitude, lead with positivity and passion, and you’ll find that opportunities follow naturally."