Humans of Salesforce – Chamil Madusanka

Hello, I’m Chamil Madusanka, and my journey into the Salesforce ecosystem has been quite an unexpected adventure. Back in 2011, I was looking to land a role in Java development. I attended an interview at Sabre Technologies (Pvt) Ltd with high hopes of joining as a Java developer. However, during the interview, they informed me that there were no Java positions available. Instead, they offered me a unique opportunity to join their new Salesforce team as the first member.

At the time, I knew nothing about Salesforce, but I decided to take the plunge and join as an Associate Software Engineer. Little did I know, this decision would change the course of my career. For the first three months, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about the Salesforce platform—its programming aspects, functionalities, and potential. Thanks to the guidance of Mr. Chandima Cooray, the CEO of Sabre Technologies, who introduced me to this incredible ecosystem, I’ve never looked back.

A Trailblazing Career: Proud Moments in Salesforce

One of the most defining and proud moments in my Salesforce career was founding the Sri Lankan Salesforce Community in 2012. Back then, there was a clear gap between Salesforce’s potential and the professionals in my country who could benefit from it. By creating this community, I aimed to bridge that gap and foster an environment where aspiring Salesforce developers and administrators could grow and learn from each other. Watching this community flourish has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.

In 2013, I wrote and released my first book, Visualforce Developers Guide, which was followed by my second book, Learning Force.com Application Development, in 2015. Writing these books was a way for me to give back to the community and provide a resource that I wish I had when I was starting out. These publications not only educated countless Salesforce stakeholders but also established my presence as a thought leader within the ecosystem.

In 2017, I was honored to be featured in a Trailhead Trailblazer story, which highlighted my contributions to the community and showcased my work to the global Salesforce audience. This recognition pushed me further, and I had the privilege of becoming a technical reviewer for three Salesforce books written by esteemed authors from Singapore and Italy, who were also Salesforce MVPs.

One of the biggest milestones in my career came in 2019, when I became the first Sri Lankan to be named a Salesforce MVP. This recognition meant the world to me, as it validated the efforts I had put into the community and my contributions to the platform. In 2024, I achieved yet another career highlight by being inducted into the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame, a moment that filled me with immense pride and gratitude.

Also Read – Salesforce Career Success Stories

Why a Career in Salesforce is So Rewarding

I believe that a career in Salesforce is incredibly rewarding for many reasons. The ecosystem is vast and continuously evolving, offering endless opportunities for growth. With Salesforce’s constant innovation—like AI-driven tools and automation—the platform remains at the forefront of technology, ensuring that professionals who specialize in it stay relevant in an ever-changing tech landscape.

What’s particularly special about Salesforce is the blend of technical and business skills that professionals gain. Whether you’re a developer, admin, or consultant, you’re working on solutions that directly impact businesses, improving processes and enhancing customer experiences. The versatility of the platform across industries means there’s always something new to learn, making this career exciting and full of opportunities for discovery.

What truly sets Salesforce apart is its community-driven culture. The Trailblazer community is one of the most supportive and empowering networks I’ve ever encountered. The mentorship, learning opportunities, and collaboration within this community have been invaluable to my personal and professional growth. I owe much of my success to the connections and relationships I’ve built within this space.

Finally, Salesforce isn’t just rewarding from a career or financial perspective—it’s fulfilling on a personal level. The knowledge that the solutions I help build make a difference for businesses and customers is incredibly gratifying. To me, a career in Salesforce is the perfect blend of purpose and professional development.

My Top 3 Tips for Aspiring Salesforce Professionals

If you’re looking to pursue a career in Salesforce, here are my top three pieces of advice:

1. Embrace Continuous Learning and Curiosity: When I first entered the Salesforce ecosystem in 2011, I had no prior knowledge of the platform. The key to my success was dedicating myself to constant learning and research. Salesforce is always evolving, so it’s crucial to stay up to date with the latest tools, features, and innovations. Start with Trailhead, and don’t shy away from challenging projects—they’re where you’ll grow the most.
2. Leverage the Power of Community: One of the most pivotal moments in my career was founding the Sri Lankan Salesforce Community in 2012. Being part of the Salesforce Trailblazer community has been instrumental in my success. Whether you’re attending local meetups, participating in forums, or mentoring others, being an active member of the community will open doors and accelerate your learning. Networking and collaboration are invaluable.
3. Create and Share Knowledge: Writing my first book in 2013 and speaking at various forums, like Dreamin events and meetups, helped me solidify my reputation as a thought leader. Sharing knowledge not only helps others but also deepens your understanding of the platform. Whether it’s through blogs, presentations, or small tutorials, sharing what you know elevates your personal brand and makes a lasting impact on the ecosystem.

Preparing for the Future of Salesforce

Looking ahead, I believe Salesforce will continue to evolve into an even more powerful and intelligent platform, with AI and automation leading the way. The introduction of tools like Einstein AI and the rise of generative AI capabilities show that Salesforce is committed to helping businesses leverage data-driven insights in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago.

I also foresee Salesforce continuing to expand its industry-specific solutions, enhancing integration capabilities, and promoting hyper-automation across different sectors. With deeper integrations, advanced data security, and AI-powered analytics, the future of Salesforce looks bright.

To stay prepared for these changes, I continuously invest time in learning the latest tools and innovations, especially around AI and automation. I make it a priority to stay involved in the community through speaking engagements, writing, and collaboration, which keeps me close to the latest trends. I also focus on expanding my skill set beyond technical knowledge—understanding the broader business impacts of Salesforce tools is key to staying ahead in this field.

End Note

A career in Salesforce has been an incredible journey for me, filled with growth, learning, and giving back to the community. 

I look forward to what the future holds for Salesforce, and I’m excited to continue evolving with this powerful platform.