Jerad Evan lives life on multiple tracks, each one fuelling his passion and purpose. As an adventure motorcyclist, he embraces the thrill of the open road and the discovery of unknown trails. In the discipline of mixed martial arts, he has cultivated resilience, strategy, and mental strength that shape his approach to life.
Beyond his personal pursuits, Jerad serves as a Business Improvement Lead and Transformation Coach, guiding both organisations and individuals toward unlocking their fullest potential. Adding another dimension to his journey, he founded the Jeevan Foundation – Sri Lanka, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to creating opportunities and hope for underprivileged communities.
What motivated you to start the Jeevan Foundation in 2021 and what gap did you see it filling in society?
During my rides across the country, I would often find myself in rural areas, where I met with people who were strong and resilient but often struggled as they did not have access to basic resources or even opportunities. On a personal level, I understood that struggle deeply.
Growing up during Sri Lanka’s civil war, there were times where survival itself was uncertain. These experiences allowed me to empathise with others in difficult situations. What amazed me most was how even the smallest interventions like providing a few school supplies, dry rations, or even a helping hand during my rides created such visible change in people’s lives. This was the foundation for starting Jeevan Foundation – Sri Lanka.
How does the foundation operate?
We operate on three pillars, which are to Educate, Empower, and Elevate. The main aim is to support underprivileged children to ensure that poverty doesn’t block their path to learning.
We also look towards skills training, so that we can support individuals, mainly women, towards achieving independence. Finally, we focus on uplifting communities, which will allow them to rise above survival and move towards growth and sustainability.
Could you share a success story or initiative that best represents the heart of your NGO’s mission?
I think one story which comes to mind is our first large-scale project in a village in Kilinochchi. The schoolchildren we met were so bright and enthusiastic but lacked basic supplies. There we delivered school supplies for both students as well as to the school.
However, getting to the school wasn’t easy and we even faced trouble after delivering the supplies, but the effort was worth it, as it again showed us the impact our gestures had on children and their families.
What were the biggest hurdles in building and sustaining the foundation and how did you overcome them?
The challenges have been plenty. Funding, of course, is always a hurdle. Convincing people to contribute, especially during times of economic crisis, requires trust and transparency. What got us through was the generosity of the community that follows and supports us.
We made sure every rupee was accounted for and that donors saw the real impact of their contributions. We also built networks of volunteers, often local riders or community members, who helped us reach even the most isolated areas and the most difficult targets.
Where do you envision the foundation five years from now and what legacy do you hope it creates?
I would like to see Jeevan Foundation as a recognised and trusted platform for community-driven change in Sri Lanka. I also see it being able to have sustainable programmes that run independently without relying on donations. I want us to scale our education and empowerment initiatives so that young people in villages not only dream bigger but have the resources to achieve those dreams.
The legacy I hope for is very simple. It is for vulnerable communities to become self-sustaining and resilient and for us to inspire others to take the path of social service.
How does your passion for motorcycles and adventure riding tie into your identity and even your social work?
Motorcycling has always been more than a hobby for me. It has given me an identity. It also gives a sense of freedom. Every ride reminds me that the world is vast, that people are diverse, yet we are more similar than we think. The bike takes me off the beaten path, both literally and metaphorically, into places where need is invisible to the outside world.
Many of the initiatives of the Jeevan Foundation started because I stumbled upon a village or a family during a ride. Motorcycling keeps me connected to reality in ways that no office or city life ever could. It ties together my personal passion to my social mission.
What do you personally gain from motorcycling?
When I’m riding, I’m fully present. The road, the terrain, and the traffic demand your complete focus. That mindfulness recharges me. It gives me clarity that I carry into my work, both at the foundation and in my professional career.
Motorcycling also teaches humility. You can prepare for a ride, but you can’t control the weather or the road ahead. Learning to adapt, to find joy in unpredictability, is a lesson I bring into every aspect of my life.
Do you find parallels between long adventure rides and the journey of running an NGO?
Absolutely. Both are unpredictable, often exhausting, but ultimately rewarding. On a long ride, there are breakdowns, detours, and moments of doubt. However, there are also breathtaking views and unforgettable connections. Running the foundation is the same.
There are setbacks in funding or logistics, but then there are moments where a child smiles with new books in hand, or a family gets the relief they desperately needed. Both journeys require endurance, faith, and the ability to celebrate small milestones along the way.
Tell us about your nine-to-five career. What do you do and how does it complement or contrast with your work at the foundation?
In my professional life, I work as a Business Improvement Lead and Transformation Coach, where I help organisations streamline processes, embrace change, and empower their people to deliver better results. It’s a mix of strategy and human development.
Interestingly, there’s a lot of overlap with my foundation work. Both require vision and people-centred leadership. At the office, I might be guiding executives through organisational change. With the foundation, I’m guiding communities through social change. The contexts differ, but the core skills of empathy, problem-solving, and perseverance remain the same.
When you step away from the NGO, the bike, and the office, who is Jerad Evan at his core?
At my core, I’m someone who treasures time with my family, friends, and loved ones. I’m also a fighter, not just in the ring, but in life, and I would do anything to protect and defend the people I care about. That mix of love and resilience is what grounds me, no matter what role I’m playing.