Share in the journey of being with leaders to rediscover what’s important to you and how you can enhance yourself in the role within your family, workplace, and community. The program is about increasing the level of self-confidence, to make an impact both individually and at the societal level, and LIVE YOUR LIFE PURPOSE! 

This is CAPAW’s signature Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI) for leadership program to promote leadership experience for leaders in both private and public sectors by fostering the development as Whole Person Leaders. The first class started in 1996, and since 2022, the program has been running virtually due to the pandemic. Though the focus is from the AANHPI women’s perspective, the program is open to anyone interested in leadership development, learning, and connecting with others. 

CAPAW selects 12-16 AANHPI women from throughout the country for our leadership institute, who have mid-level work or community experience and are already recognized within their communities as talented, high-achieving, and role-modeling individuals. This intense learning experience brings together people from diverse ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, geographic areas, ages, careers and interests. Applicants must demonstrate personal responsibility for their own self-development and public responsibility for fostering teamwork and opportunities within their companies, organizations, communities, and families. 

Who Am I? 

• Better understand your cultural identity through self-discovery.  Focus is on improving yourself at the personal and individual level, and includes topics related to cultural identity, integration of health and the qualities and characteristics to lead from within. 
• Enhance your capacity to lead through the development of leadership and skills that apply to your life. How? By focusing on interpersonal skills, strengths, and qualities to navigate workplace/community environments. This is especially important during the ups and downs of leading others or facing challenges in your career and life. 

And, So What?

• Practice what has been learned by developing and implementing an impact project. This is the time to expand to the institutional and the power, authority, and influence needed to make change at the societal level. Participants come full circle in their leadership journey to celebrate where they have been and to identify their next steps as they move beyond the Program. During the program, each fellow can impact social change and demonstrate leadership through the identification and guided completion of a learning project that impacts at least 25 people. In addition, fellows receive individual and tailored coaching to support their personal leadership development journey.
• You will be part of a network with over 200 women who are APAWLI fellows. The program has provided a unique opportunity for individuals to become connected to a growing network of leaders who are striving to improve the institutions, families, and communities in which they work and live. 

The Application Process

The application process for our 2025/26 APAWLI class is currently open until July 31, 2025. To receive updates about future classes and be notified when the application process opens, please sign up for CAPAW email updates or contact Sue Ann Hong-Whitaker at sahong@capaw.org