Shavini Fernando
Shavini Fernando, founder of OxiWear, is a video game, VR & web designer and developer. She holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Portsmouth in the UK, an MBA from Edith Cowan University in Australia, and an MA in Communication, Culture, and Technology from Georgetown University. She is currently completing an Executive Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship through Stanford University.
Having been diagnosed with severe Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) due to Eisenmenger’s Syndrome, Shavini has experienced multiple situations in which her heart has stopped as a result of a sudden drop in oxygen levels, necessitating self-CPR to revive her heart. After several near-death experiences, she invented Oxiwear as a tool for herself and the larger PH community. Her invention and new venture has won awards from Ted Leonsis, Citiventures, and Georgetown University, which awarded her the Exceptional Masters Student Award for 2019. She was also awarded the DC FemTech Award in 2019, recognizing her as one of 49 influential individuals in Code, Data and Design.