The Leading Women’s Summit (LWS) 2026 has marked a major milestone in its community impact, officially presenting 500,000 THB to the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women (APSW – The Emergency Shelter) on April 1, representing a fivefold increase from 100,000 THB raised in 2025.
The cheque handover, attended by representatives from APSW, organisers, and sponsors, underscores the growing scale and effectiveness of the summit as a platform for leadership exchange but for tangible social impact.
Organised by the Advance Australia Council Thailand (AACT) and the Australia–New Zealand Welcome Group (ANZWG), LWS 2026 was held in Bangkok on March 10, convening 24 women leaders and emerging voices for an evening of structured dialogue and cross-sector exchange.
Centred on the theme “Harness the Power,” the summit adopted its distinctive boardroom-style “Speed Mentoring” format, designed to foster open, impactful conversations through its “3 I’s” framework: Inspire, Ignite and Incubate. This approach provided emerging female leaders with direct access to accomplished women across industries, an opportunity rarely found in traditional conference settings, enabling candid dialogue, practical advice, and personal insights while bridging established leaders with the next generation of professionals.
Proudly supported by sponsors and partners including Nurture Higher Education Global Academy, MedPark Hospital, Ascot International School, D&K Advisory, SW1, and Scalify, alongside communications partner Midas PR, this year’s summit demonstrated a collective commitment to driving meaningful outcomes beyond the event itself.
The impact of this year’s fundraising marks a significant step-change for APSW. While last year’s contribution supported essential, immediate needs such as infant care supplies, the increased funding in 2026 will enable the organisation to scale both crisis support and long-term empowerment programmes.
APSW provides refuge, healthcare, and vocational training, including skills such as dressmaking and floral arrangement, to women rebuilding their lives after abuse or hardship. With five times the funding, the organisation can expand its reach and deepen its support for women working towards independence and sustainable livelihoods.
The summit’s growing momentum reflects strong alignment among partners and sponsors, all of whom are committed to expanding its scale and impact in future editions. As it evolves, LWS continues to strengthen its position as a purpose-driven platform delivering measurable outcomes.
