2024 Program

The Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) is pleased to present the second iteration of its “Building Trade Ties with ASEAN’s Emerging Female Leaders” program.

The program offers the opportunity for approximately eight female professionals from ASEAN member countries with interest and experience in economic-related fields to participate in an intensive program in the United States featuring workshops, briefings, and capacity-building exercises. The program features meetings with, inter alia, senior and emerging business leaders, current and former government officials, and experienced trade negotiators.

This year’s program will include an intensive week-long program of workshops and briefings in Washington, D.C. and New York City, and is tentatively set for December 9-13, 2024 (not including travel days). The program will cover travel and related expenses, including round-trip economy airfare from the participant’s place of residence to the U.S., travel within the U.S., lodging, local transport, and some meals during sessions. 

Eligibility

• Age: 25-40 years old at the start of the program 
• Language Skills: Fluent in spoken and written English 
• Nationality: Citizens of ASEAN member country
• Professional Experience: Background in a trade/economic-related field with a minimum of two years of relevant work experience. Applicants may be from government agencies, private sector and business, legal profession, academia, think tanks, and other economic or trade relevant backgrounds.
• Career Path: Strong interest in continuing to pursue a career in trade.  

Application Timeline

• Application Window Opens – June 1, 2024
• Deadline for Application Submissions – September 5, 2024  
• Candidates Selected and Notified – September 13, 2024  

* Please note this timeline is subject to change. 

Application Process and Materials

To complete and submit an online application, please visit https://form.jotform.com/241483816631155. 

Please note that applicants will need to submit the following items as part of their online application:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Statement of Interest - A one-page explanation of why the applicant is interested in the program, what they hope to gain from participation, how they will contribute to the success of the program, and how participation aligns with their career goals. 
• 1 Letter of Recommendation

For questions about the program or application, please email [email protected].

 Program Background and Overview

The ASEAN region is one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse markets. A key player of global supply chains, the ten member states of ASEAN have an extensive network of trade arrangements and are collectively expected to become the world’s fourth largest economy by 2030. Within this context, new and expanding opportunities are emerging for women to help shape the region’s trade and economic landscape. As women from Southeast Asia populate these ranks, they will benefit from opportunities to improve negotiating skills, deepen other competencies including the ability to work within their societies to develop inclusive agreements, and advance toward greater gender parity. 

In light of this, the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) launched the initiative “Building Trade Ties with ASEAN’s Emerging Female Leaders” in 2022. Through an intensive weeklong program in the U.S., this initiative promotes the career development of up-and-coming women in economic-related fields, provides them with training and mentorship to thrive in their respective careers, and supports their professional development as ASEAN’s next generation of female leaders and trade negotiators. The program features meetings with senior and emerging business leaders, current and former government officials, experienced trade negotiators, and other speakers, which cover a range of topics, including:

• Understanding the U.S. economic policy making process
• Discussing current issues, such as economic security and related challenges facing the global economy and trade policy makers 
• Gaining negotiating skills, including strategies and tactics, creative problem solving, and “getting to yes” 
• Working with the private sector, legislative branch, and other entities through economic and trade policy consultations 
• Navigating the media and public perceptions of trade 
• Developing skills to advance in the workplace and providing career development guidance

A summary and highlights of the 2022 program can be found here: https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/2022-aseans-emerging-female-trade-leaders-program.

 Building a Network of Emerging Female Leaders

Not only does the program provide participants with new skills and competencies to excel in their fields, but also provides access to a growing network of program alumni. As part of this network, participants can engage and network with past cohorts of female economic and trade leaders.

Past Cohorts

The first ASEAN Emerging Female Leaders class from the 2022 program included:

• Maes Alconcel, National Project Coordinator, International Trade Centre (ITC)
• Fatimah Alsagoff, Director of Government Affairs and Corporate Communications for Asia Pacific, Hasbro
• Putpisey Cheam, Chief of the Bilateral Bureau of the Asia and Pacific Department, Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia
• Theodora D’Cruz, First Secretary, Economic, Embassy of Singapore in Washington D.C.Lusyana Halmiati, Coordinator for European Affairs at the Directorate of Bilateral Negotiations, Ministry of Trade of Indonesia
• Souvipha Inthavong, Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Division, Department of Foreign Trade Policy, Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos
• Melissa Lee, Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia and Oceania Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore
• Auji Nabilah Abdul Razak, Senior Assistant Director, Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia
• Kaewkamol Pitakdumrongkit, Head and Assistant Professor, Centre for Multilateralism Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
• Tongta Sudmi, Senior Investment Promotion Officer, International Affairs Division, Board of Investment of Thailand
• Marcella Suwandhi, Manager, U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, Indonesia
• Mai Anh Thi Le, Head of Division for Southeast Asia and South Asia Regional Cooperation, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam

• Quynh Thuy Vu, Deputy Director, International Relations Department of Vietrade, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam

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Participant Testimonials

“Incredible program, which was interactive, substantive, and insightful. I learned tremendously from Wendy Cutler, the illustrious speakers, and my fellow ASEAN program participants on trade policy and women in the empowerment in the workplace and have built new and deeper connections!”

“This program brought together an amazing delegation that brought the diversity of their experiences to the conversations, asking really smart questions and providing rich perspectives. As a private sector participant, this was an invaluable opportunity to better understand the dynamics at play behind the scenes in trade negotiations and policymaking and to be even more constructive and collaborative in public-private engagement.”

“Overall, I learned a lot from this program and was able to grow my network. The trade sessions were excellent and sessions with female executives were insightful. Thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of this initiative.”