The 2024 ASAP Women in Conservation Visible Leadership Programme  

Please note that applications for the 2024 programme has closed. Applications for the 2025 programme will open soon.

Delivering a transformational leadership programme for women leaders working in conservation in Southeast Asia.

The ASAP Women in Conservation Visible Leadership Programme launched in 2022 for women working in conservation in Southeast Asia. The programme was born out of the recognition of the urgent need for women conservation leaders in the region who role-model a more inclusive and impactful way to do conservation. The programme empowers women to overcome the challenges they face working in conservation and to help them achieve their greatest potential.

The 2024 programme offers a holistic and forward-thinking design, building on extensive feedback from 2022 programme alumnae.

Through our 8-month programme, led by Visibility Co, participants will develop effective leadership, gain confidence and practical skills to increase influence, communication and a positive mindset. They will be supported to look at what's involved in systems leadership - as leaders in their organisations and in the wider field of species conservation. Wellbeing and self-care will be a thread throughout the programme.  At the end of the programme, participants will have a clear leadership vision and strategy to achieve maximum impact.

By joining the ASAP Women in Conservation Visible Leadership Programme, participants will receive Southeast Asia-specific leadership training, 1:1 coaching and wellbeing support from international experts and will join a supportive and inspiring community of likeminded women.

Who is the programme for?

This programme is for mid-level to senior women working in conservation in Southeast Asia. If you want to build your strategic influence, support your team so they thrive and better manage your mindset, then this programme is for you.

To be eligible, you must: 

  • Be a woman 

  • Work for an ASAP Partner organisation, based in Southeast Asia, in a role that involves conserving one or more ASAP Species 

  • Be able to attend the programme dates listed below  

  • Be able to commit the time for the online sessions and self-learning activities 

  • Have a letter of support from your organisation* 

  • Have a good level of English language, as the programme will be delivered in English 

Programme content

The programme is broken down into three modules that strategically build your influence as a leader in an authentic and values-driven way. You will gain a set of tools to increase your own and your teams' impact, while building your self-awareness, reflective practice and new habits to support your wellbeing.

The programme will kick off with an in-person retreat in May 2024, where you will meet your trainers, coaches and the group of inspiring women who will be going on this journey with you. The remainder of the programme will take place online through a mixture of group workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions.

Visibility to self (4-day in-person retreat)

This module is all about understanding who you are and what you stand for. You will explore new ways to support your wellbeing, articulate your values and develop a leadership vision that works to your individual strengths and forge connections with inspiring peers from around the region. All while spending time on retreat in a nourishing, uplifting environment.

Visibility to others (online)

In this module you will explore ways to build your influence, and that of your organisation, strategically, to influence key audiences. You will gain key communication tools and hone your coaching skills so that you can uplift and empower your team.

Collective visibility (online)

In this module you will explore leadership and influence through a systems-change lens and explore the role of storytelling and collaboration to create shifts in the environments you're working in, and for the species you're seeking to protect.

Alongside the programme you will benefit from:

  • One-to-one leadership coaching

  • One-to-one wellbeing support

  • An online community to connect and share successes and challenges

  • One-to-one coaching on building visibility and storytelling

  • Learning network with alumnae

  • Peer coaching support

What previous participants say

“I have become a better leader, someone who is more in-tune with myself, someone who is able to get in touch with my own feelings and well-being. I am a better leader today because somebody, somewhere else, believes in me.
”
— Chen Pelf Nyok Executive Director, Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia
“This programme has given me more than I ever imagined. All elements of the course came together so well in getting us to understand what it means and how to be visible to self, others and together. It is an impactful programme in supporting female leadership in conservation.
”
— Akchousanh Rasphone Wildlife Lead and Chief Conservation Scientist, WWF Lao PDR 

100%

Say the network developed will support their personal and professional development

100%

Feel programme has helped them overcome challenges faced as women in conservation

100%

Say the programme has increased their overall wellbeing

Programme dates and times

26 March, 2:30-3:30pm Introductory call to meet your coaches and fellow participants

Visibility to self

  • 13-17 May: In person retreat (in Southeast Asia, location to be confirmed). Values, Vision and Coaching 

  • 29 May, 2-3:30pm: Integration session

  • 12 June, 3-5:30pm: Wellbeing session

Visibility to others

  • 26 June, 10:30am-1pm: Leadership Impact Workshop - Vision

  • 16-17 July, 10:30am-1:30pm: 2-day workshop: Activating your vision 

  • 22 July to 23 August: 1:1 coaching session (30 minutes per participant) on activating your vision

  • 31 July, 3pm-5:30pm: Wellbeing session: Thriving leaders, thriving teams

  • 27 August, 10:30am-1:30pm & 28 August, 10:30am-12:30pm: Two-day workshop: Inclusive and effective learning and communications

  • 18 September, 10:30am-1:30pm: Coaching others workshop

  • 25 September, 10:30am-12pm: Coaching others - Q&A session

Collective visibility

  • 15 October, 10:30am-12:30pm & 16 October, 10:30am-1:30pm: Two-day workshop: Collective visibility and story harvesting

  • 13 November, 4pm-7pm: Graduation

Additional 1:1 coaching for participants will be organised throughout the programme

Note: All times are in Singapore time zone

What does it cost?

ASAP has secured funding so that we can offer this programme (valued at USD 10,000 per participant) to ASAP Partners without charging any of these costs to you. Even down to the cost of travel and accommodation for the in-person retreat, we've got it covered. We do ask you to be fully committed to the programme and to bring an open mindset and willingness to grow as a leader.

Expectations

The programme is a significant time investment for each participant. It is a leadership programme, and participants are expected to be able to self-manage their time and work and prioritise their participation in the programme. On top of the formal training sessions outlined in the table above, there will a minimum of 30 mins per week additional self-guided work and reflections plus learning group meetings and 1:1 coaching sessions.

While we don't ask for financial contributions, the cost of the programme is significant, and we do expect full commitment throughout the programme.

This means attending and being focused for each training session, doing reflections and study at home including pre-work and assignments, and being a supportive and active member of the network.

Please make sure that you can commit to attending every training session outlined above, will have access to internet connection and be able to use video conferencing. Of course, we understand that sometimes challenges can emerge, but we ask that you communicate with us if you need to miss parts of the programme and commit to catching up on recordings.

Meet the delivery team

  • Jules May (Co-director, Visibility Co) 

    Julia supports change-making leaders to create better outcomes for themselves and the planet. Julia is a former foreign correspondent, with a particular passion for conservation and environmental activism.

  • Sarah Anderson (Co-director, Visibility Co)

    An award-winning visibility expert, social-impact strategist and mindful leadership facilitator, Sarah has mentored senior leaders and change-makers globally over two decades. She is most driven by supporting women to have influence in the spaces that matter most.

  • Vik Mohan (Well-being lead)

    Dr Vik Mohan is a medical doctor, conservation practitioner, educationalist and life coach. Vik works with conservationists from around the world to enable them to thrive and will support the wellbeing of programme participants. 

  • Sarilani Wirawan (Coach)

    A professional leadership & habit formation coach, also a professional facilitator.  Sari's purpose is to create trust and opportunities for people to optimize their potential, shine with their own authenticity and experiencing meaningful life at its fullest

  • Nerissa Chao (Director, ASAP - Programme Convenor)

    Nerissa is a conservation biologist with nearly 20 years of experience managing and implementing conservation field programmes. Nerissa has headed up ASAP since 2016 where she has established ASAP's training and grant programmes and grown the partnership significantly.

  • Sara Tiefenbrun  

    Sara is a Story Harvester.  Her career includes making documentaries for the BBC, and helping clients tell stories through workshops, strategies, and writing. She helps you shape impactful stories and build the courage to share them.

  • Elicia Duczmal (Operations & Programmes Manager, Visibility Co) 

    Elicia Duczmal brings 20 years' experience leading complex projects with a talent for creating inspiring experiences. She leads the smooth operation of day-to-day life at Visibility Co and manages client services and programs