ASEAN Summit

Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit

Many Countries. One Sisterhood.

This annual summit brings together a cohort of young women aged 25-35 with representatives from 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.

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.

  • Dr. Alan Lightman, Professor of the Practice of Humanities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Founder and Board Chair at Harpswell

  • 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

  • Professor Dr. Noraida Endut, Unit for Research on Women and Gender, KANITA, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

  • 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

  • Alison Pavia, Executive Director of Harpswell. Previously Executive Director at Peter C Alderman Foundation and REServe and former attorney

Past Trainers & Topics Include:

July 2026 ❋ Virtual

The Summit will launch in July with two virtual introductory sessions, each 1.5 hours. Participants will introduce their passions and professional work, as well as meet the Harpswell team.

*Note: All virtual activities will take place outside of regular business hours.

August-October 2026 ❋ Virtual

During these three months, the program will host twice-monthly 3-hour virtual learning sessions, learning about the state of the ASEAN region with diverse experts. Participants will also work in small groups meeting once monthly to collaborate and deepen relationships. 

Oct. 31 - 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 3-month virtual program will also join this face-to-face element of the program.

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. 

2026 applications will open on March 1

Please reach out with any questions to Summit Senior Administrator Dr. Leila Mojaher 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.

Register

“The summit experience inspired me to do research and establish a social media platform about sexual violence against women in Indonesia. It’s been life-changing for me.”

— Zenny Rezania Dewantary, Lecturer of Law at President University, Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit: Indonesia