APAWLI Fellowship Program

The Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI)

National APAWLI Signature Program Application

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? 

And, So What?

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 

August 5, 2025 APAWLI program begins
Project due date: September 15
March 31, 2026 Implement your impact project that helps 25 or more people
Frequency of Meetings Every other Wednesday for 1.5 hours
Start Time 6:30 – 8:00 PM ET 
Platform Zoom
Tuition $3500 for the program. Scholarships available on a case-by-case basis.
2026 Dates Sep 16, Sep 30, Oct 14, Oct 28, Nov 11, Nov 24, Dec 9, Dec 22
2027 Dates Jan 6, Jan 20, Feb 3, Feb 17, Mar 3, Mar 17, Mar 31, Apr 14, Apr 28, May 12, May 26, Jun 9, Jun 23
Here’s what

APAWLI Fellows have to say about the experience

“APAWLI gave me the strength to embrace my authentic self, to conquer my fears and to lead with my whole heart.”

Jessica Li, APAWLI Class of 2015 Read More
OPPORTUNITY

PROVIDED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

For more than 20 years, and having graduated over 150 women, this has provided a unique opportunity for AANHPI women to gain valuable technical skills to advance in the workplace; develop a clearer understanding of their leadership strengths, assets, and gifts; understand the influence of culture on their leadership and in their relationships; learn and practice balance while traversing the ups and downs of leadership and transitions; and become connected to a growing network of women who are constantly striving to improve the institutions, families, and communities in which they live and work.

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