Sometimes, one meaningful connection or experience can change the entire trajectory of your life. For me, that moment came in July 2019 when I was selected for the Changing Faces Women’s Leadership Seminar, a transformative program by the East-West Center in Oahu, Hawaii.
Before attending the seminar, I had never imagined myself as a podcaster although we each had to pitch a project we wanted to work on. I knew nothing about podcasting when I pitched it to the audience consisting of my peers from Asia-Pacific and the Changing Faces team. But as a result of my two-week participation, I created a whole new role for myself—one that allows me to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs across Asia while growing my network across the region.
As I began writing an impact report for the East-West Center, I realized that investing in women through leadership programs can have unexpected and far-reaching outcomes. I was a full scholarship recipient of the program and I am grateful to the East-West Center Foundation and other generous individuals who offered me this opportunity to create more impact!
From Inspiration to Action: Launching Womenpreneur Asia
Inspired by the leadership lessons from Changing Faces and propelled by the pitch I presented during the program, I launched Womenpreneur Asia in October 2020. What started as a passion project soon turned into a powerful platform for storytelling and empowerment.
- 122 episodes and 9 seasons later, the podcast has featured incredible women entrepreneurs from Japan, India, Mongolia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and even Fiji.
- Womenpreneur Asia serves as a space for sharing entrepreneurial insights, fostering connections, and empowering women in business across the region.
- Today, I no longer have to pitch guests—PR firms and women themselves reach out to me, recognizing the credibility and impact of the podcast.
Expanding Networks and Meaningful Collaborations
Beyond storytelling, the podcast has enabled me to build meaningful relationships, many of which have turned into collaborations:
- Women’s Leadership Retreat 2026 – I am working with two former podcast guests to develop an immersive leadership retreat for women entrepreneurs. More to come so stay tuned!
- Regional Women Podcasters’ Hub – Alongside three women podcasters (two from Singapore, one from Hong Kong), I am co-creating a community for women podcasters in Asia.
- Media and Speaking Opportunities – My podcasting work caught the attention of Malaysia’s national media, Bernama TV, leading to interviews about women entrepreneurs in ASEAN. Taylor’s University invited me to speak to their law students about opportunities in ASEAN, showcasing how podcasting can be a tool for regional impact.
Recognition and Global Opportunities
Womenpreneur Asia has not only given me a voice but has also opened doors to incredible opportunities on a global scale:
- Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Program (October 2024) – Selected for a two-week program in the U.S. to explore geopolitical trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship. This experience led to the creation of NEW-API (Network for Entrepreneur Women Associations in ASEAN-Pacific-India), an alliance empowering women-led organizations in entrepreneurship.
- Digital Communications Network conference (February 2025) – Chosen to participate in a program in Manila, focusing on digital transformation to empower communities. My podcasting background played a key role in securing this opportunity.
A Growing Global Audience
Womenpreneur Asia has grown beyond my expectations, attracting listeners and supporters worldwide:
- 79.9% of our audience are female listeners, primarily from ASEAN countries, the US, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.
- Our audience includes entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, startup incubators, mentoring groups, PR and HR firms demonstrating the broad interest in the podcast.
- Our listenership spans across Asia, Europe, the U.S., and Australia, proving the global impact of these powerful stories.
Knowledge Sharing With My Community
As an entrepreneur and digital communicator, I have learned how to podcast, grow a brand and platform and as a result, I decided to share my knowledge:
- I authored an eBook on starting an interview-style podcast to guide aspiring podcasters which I launched in early this year.
- Podcasting has allowed me to offer additional services, including podcast consulting, coaching and training.
The Ripple Effect
The Changing Faces Women’s Leadership Seminar was truly transformational. It refined my ideas, expanded my network and gave me the confidence to create impact through storytelling, networking and community building.
Each year, when the program opens for applications, I actively encourage other women to apply. I wholeheartedly believe that leadership programs like this unlock potential, inspire action and create ripple effects that extend far beyond the program itself.
To the East-West Center and the Changing Faces team, I extend my deepest gratitude. The impact of investing in women is real, tangible, and lasting—and I am living proof of that.
If you are a woman entrepreneur, innovator, or changemaker, I urge you to seek out leadership opportunities. The right program could change your life—just as it did for me.