ASEAN Summit
2026 Summit Applications Are Open!
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Apply Now
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2026 Summit Applications Are Open! ✵ Apply Now ✵
Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit
Many Countries. One Sisterhood.
Founded in 2017, this annual summit brings together a cohort of 36+ young women aged between 25-35 representing each of the countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as Nepal, for a 5-month leadership development and professional networking program culminating in a week-long gathering in person to deepen learning and connections.
In 2026, the Summit proudly expands to welcome participants from Timor-Leste, ASEAN’s newest member, and Papua New Guinea, further strengthening a diverse and inclusive regional community of women leaders.
Ready to apply for the 2026 Cohort?
Summit Structure
In 2025, the Summit took on a new hybrid form, expanding the program’s depth and impact over the course of five months.
Leadership Beyond Borders
The Summit is designed to advance positive change in Southeast Asia by creating a network of women’s leaders who have a deep understanding of the ASEAN region alongside meaningful, lifelong relationships with peers across borders.
An extension of Harpswell’s Cambodian leadership curriculum, the Summit is structured as a mix of lectures, workshops, site visits and group activities. Summit trainers represent leading experts from academia, industry and community development throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.
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Dr. Alan Lightman, Professor of the Practice of Humanities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Founder and Board Chair at Harpswell
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Penny Burtt, Head of Public Policy and Government Relations at Stripe. Formerly held leadership positions with global multinationals Visa Inc. and McKinsey and Co. Most recently led AsiaLink at the University of Melbourne
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Professor Dr. Noraida Endut, Unit for Research on Women and Gender, KANITA, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
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Professor Dr. Rashidah Shuib, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, USM. Former director of KANITA
Dr. Vannarith Chheang, President at Asian Vision Institute. Previously Southeast Asia Analyst at the Nippon Foundation
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Alison Pavia, Executive Director of Harpswell. Previously Executive Director at Peter C Alderman Foundation and REServe and former attorney
Past Trainers & Topics Include:
July-October 2026 ❋ Virtual
During these four months, the program will host twice-monthly 2-hour virtual learning sessions. These sessions will lay the foundations of the cohort’s relationships to:
Themselves: Four inner work sessions
One Another: Three small group meetings
The Region: Four ASEAN-themed expert-led sessions
*Note: All virtual activities will take place outside of regular business hours.
Oct. 30 - Nov. 8, 2026 ❋ In Person
The cohort will gather in beautiful Phnom Penh for one week of collaboration, exploration and networking. Many of the trainers and facilitators that are part of the virtual program will also join this face-to-face element of the program.
After 5 days as a Summit cohort exploring the Inner Development Goals, 2026 Summit participants will have the unique opportunity to join IKAT 2026, Harpswell’s inaugural IKAT gathering for women leaders working in and for Southeast Asia.
Harpswell covers all travel, meals and accommodation for participants.
Following the Summit, the women leaders are also eligible to apply for Social Impact Grants.
Who should apply?
We welcome applications from women, aged 25 to 35, from ASEAN countries, Nepal and Papua New Guinea who demonstrate:
A keen interest in social change and women’s leadership
Leadership potential through academic achievement or professional accomplishment
Willingness to share, explore and grow in self-identity, cultural diversity and worldview
A curiosity about the experiences of others in the region
Strong English language skills
Harpswell is committed to gathering a diverse and inclusive cohort. We welcome applicants from any race, ethnicity, social background, religion, disability and sexual orientation. We know that learning from those with experiences different from our own makes us more compassionate and effective leaders. We look forward to the broad range of perspectives our participants will bring the the Summit and the broader Harpswell sisterhood.
Applications are open!
Applications are open until April 19, 2026. Please reach out with any questions to Summit Senior Administrator Dr. Leila Mohajer at leila@harpswell.org.
Virtual Information Session | March 24, 2026
Interested in learning more about the Summit?
Join us for a virtual information session on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 PM (ICT) to explore the program experience, eligibility, and application process. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with our team.
“In product and tech, data is our default language. We use numbers to prove points, to guide decisions, to demonstrate impact. I’ve long relied on data as my way of persuading.
But the Harpswell Summit reminded me that stories are also data. They may not come in spreadsheets, but they move hearts, shift perspectives, and invite trust.”
— Rachel Kuo (Singapore), Senior Product Manager, Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit 2025