A transformational leadership programme for women conservation leaders in Southeast Asia.
NOW Leaders 2027
Our planet needs talented, committed women to protect it in the long term. NOW Leaders is the only leadership initiative of its kind in Southeast Asia, designed specifically for women conservationists to build the skills, confidence, wellbeing, influence and networks they need to thrive as leaders and create lasting, positive impact for nature.
NOW Leaders is a two-year leadership experience for women conservationists in Southeast Asia, running from 2027 to 2028. It combines a face-to-face and online programme of learning, coaching, wellbeing support and connection in year one with a lighter year of practical application, continued development and peer support in year two.
NOW Leaders brings together women at different stages of their leadership journeys. Whether you’re just beginning to lead others or bring decades of experience, the programme offers space to grow, strengthen your leadership and connect with a supportive network of women who face similar challenges and opportunities to you.
Ready to grow as a leader and help shape the future of conservation in Southeast Asia? Apply for NOW Leaders 2027.
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This module is all about understanding who you are. You will learn ways to look after your wellbeing longer term and to build your vision for the future.
During this module you will:
Understand how your values influence who you are and your leadership
Develop an inspiring and achievable leadership vision
Create an actionable plan for your goals
Learn why your wellbeing is key to being an effective conservationist
See how you can support your own wellbeing in simple ways
Build helpful habits
Have 1:1 and group coaching to support your learning
Develop connections with inspiring peers from around the region
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In this module you will explore ways to build your strategic influence and that of your organisation.
During this module you will:
Expand your vision to include your influence in conservation
Learn communication tools for more strategic and impactful communication
Receive personalised support to build your personal communications strategy
Hone your own coaching skills to be able to support others in your team or networks
See how you can empower others to look after their own wellbeing
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In this module you will learn how to lead positive change at a wider level. You will also learn why storytelling is an important leadership skill. The first year culminates in a graduation and storytelling celebration, followed by continued development and connection through the NOW Collective in year two. During this module you will:
Learn about “systems change" – powerful shifts in organisations, communities and society
Learn how to use storytelling as a leadership skill
Prepare a presentation with an expert coach to share at graduation
Explore the role that wellbeing can play in sustaining the conservation sector
Download the booklet
A handy booklet about NOW Leaders that you can share with your manager or colleagues
Year Two: Putting learning into practice & strengthening connections
Ongoing leadership learning and wellbeing support
Practical application of skills and tools
Peer connection and cross-cohort collaboration
“One Year On” reflection and celebration
Continuing community beyond the two-year journey
Beyond the two-year journey, participants can choose to stay connected through the NOW Collective, with continued learning and support offered through fully funded membership.
Year One: Leadership Development
A five day in-person leadership retreat in Malaysia
Six months of online training
Apply skills to real-world challenges
1:1 and group coaching on leadership, wellbeing, communication and presenting
Integration into the NOW Collective, our network for graduates of NOW Leaders
Year one: Programme content
Who is the programme for?
The programme is designed for emerging, middle and senior leaders working in conservation organisations in Southeast Asia. Whether you’re exploring your leadership style, stepping into your first management role or preparing to lead at a greater scale, you’ll build confidence, skills and networks to strengthen your leadership and increase your impact.
Essential criteria
Identify as a woman with at least five years’ experience in conservation, in any discipline.
Be from Southeast Asia or have worked in the region for more than five years, and intend to continue working there.
Be based in Southeast Asia throughout the programme.
Supervise people or manage projects involving multiple stakeholders, with opportunities to apply your learning.
Have sufficient spoken English to participate in discussions, coaching and peer learning. The whole programme is delivered in English.
What we ask of participants
Commit to the two-year journey, including the in-person retreat, online learning, coaching and coursework in Year One, and Collective participation in Year Two.
Be open to reflection, new perspectives and trying different approaches.
Share your experience and contribute to a respectful, inclusive learning community.
Seek organisational support for participation and application. If support is uncertain, please tell us.
Aspire to use your leadership for wider positive change.
Preferred
Work for an ASAP Partner organisation, particularly in a role supporting the conservation of ASAP Species.*
Applicants outside ASAP Partner organisations should contact us before applying.
Supporting women’s leadership at work
We ask organisations to protect participation time across both years, support practical application at work and recognise ongoing engagement with the NOW Collective as professional development. If support from your organisation is uncertain, please contact us confidentially
Unsure? Please apply anyway
You don’t need formal qualifications or to meet every criterion. Be open about any gaps: we value your conservation commitment, lived experience and willingness to learn.
English language and AI
You’ll need a good level of spoken English to participate, but your written English doesn’t need to be perfect. Please write your answers to the application yourself, in your own voice, so we can get to know your experiences, aspirations and what you’d bring. AI-generated answers make this harder and may affect your chances of selection.
“Joining the programme gave me the tools and confidence to lead and support my team in conservation, staying true to my leadership style and values
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What previous participants say
“The NOW Leaders Programme was a life-changing experience through which I knew I was not alone, and I could become a great leader!
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2027 programme dates and times
Onboarding
24 March (2pm-3pm) - Programme welcome & induction
7 April (4pm-5:30pm) - Connection & community building
27 April (1pm-3pm) Pre-retreat planning & logistics call
Module 1 – Visibility to self
23 May - 28 May - In-person retreat in Southeast Asia (location TBC)
9 June (2pm-4pm) - Post-retreat integration session
Module 2 – Visibility to others
30 June (9:30am-1pm) Leadership impact vision
14 July (9:30am-1pm) - GAMPER session 1
21 July (9:30am-11:30am) - GAMPER session 2
18 August (9:30am-12:30pm) - 4MAT & Bringing GAMPER and 4MAT together
25 August (2pm-5pm) - Coaching others session 1
26 August (2pm-4pm) - Coaching others session 2
8 September (7pm-8:30pm) - Wellbeing session 1
22 September (5pm-6:30pm) - Connection to the alumnae
Module 3 – Visibility for collective impact
5 October (9:30am-12:30pm) - Collective visibility session 1
6 October (9:30am-1pm) - Collective visibility session 2
26 October (4pm-6pm) - Wellbeing session 3
9 November (1pm-2:30pm) - Graduation preparation
12 November (3pm-6pm) - Graduation & storytelling celebration
All times listed are in Singapore time zone. Please plan for approximately 10 hours per month for the programme, in addition to the in-person retreat. Additional 1:1 coaching for participants will be organised throughout the programme. After graduation, you will be invited to join the NOW Collective, our alumnae community for ongoing learning, wellbeing and peer support.
Meet the delivery team
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Nerissa Chao (Programme Convenor)
Nerissa brings more than 20 years of experience designing and delivering conservation programmes and has led ASAP since 2016. She founded the Network of Women (NOW) so that women in conservation could find support and community, build confidence and be the kind of leaders they want to be, while creating the conditions where women can thrive.
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Julia May (Lead Designer and Facilitator)
As a learning designer, strategist and facilitator, Jules has supported more than 10,000 change-making leaders from more than 50 countries to create better outcomes for themselves and the planet. Julia is a former foreign correspondent, with a particular passion for conservation and environmental activism.
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Sarilani Wirawan (Deputy Lead Facilitator)
A professional leadership & habit formation coach, and 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.
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Vik Mohan (Wellbeing 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.
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Sara Tiefenbrun (Storytelling)
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.
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Elicia Duczmal (Programmes Manager)
Elicia Duczmal brings 20 years' experience leading complex projects with a talent for creating inspiring experiences. She leads the smooth logistical operation of NOW Leaders to ensure the learning experience is everything our participants might hope for.
Expectations and graduation
To graduate from NOW Leaders, you will need to:
Attend the five-day, in-person leadership retreat (to be held in Southeast Asia)
Engage in all online sessions - attending at minimum 80% live, rather than watching recordings
Complete all written assignments and a presentation
Participate in 1:1 coaching
Make time for reflection (approximately 10 hours per month) and putting your learning into practice
Connect with other participants between sessions
Help create a respectful learning environment and keep other participants' personal information confidential
Continue applying your learning and engaging with the NOW Collective in Year Two through a lighter programme of shared learning, peer connection and reflection.
Your investment
The programme is free for participants and their organisations. This includes the cost of travel and accommodation for the in-person NOW Leaders is a fully funded development opportunity, valued at more than US$10,000 per participant. This includes the full cost of the programme plus travel and accommodation for the in-person retreat.
In return, we ask participants to commit time and attention to learning, practical application and supporting their peers across the two-year journey. Places are limited, so please apply only if you are ready to make this commitment.