HER2026 empowers women through leadership, creativity, digital influence

Group photo after the presentation of certificates to participants of HER2026 at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching.

“Graduation is not the end of your voice. It is the beginning of using it consistently and intentionally. Now go and lead.” – HER2026

KUCHING, 28 April 2026: The HER2026 programme, organised by BorneoTalk as part of the Women’s Leadership Apprentice (PERANTIS) initiative, officially concluded recently, bringing an end to the 3-month programme centred around leadership, creativity and digital influence.

Designed to be modern, contemporary, fun, highly interactive and people-centric, participants of the programme include 34 women from different ages, backgrounds and ethnicities, as well as BorneoTalk’s own Ashley Pan as speaker and various facilitators with decades of experience in leadership roles cumulatively.

Participants watching a video presentation featuring a special message from Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri at the HER2026 Celebration Ceremony.

“HER2026 was built around the idea that people learn leadership best when they feel at ease. Over the past three months, the relaxed setting, interactive sessions, and hands-on activities helped participants open up, connect with each other, and learn in a real and meaningful way. What makes me happiest, though, is seeing the friendships formed and how everyone has genuinely been there for one another,” Ashley shared.

Commenting on BorneoTalk's collaboration with PERANTIS on this programme, she said the initiative by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) Malaysia was aimed at empowering women’s leadership through comprehensive programmes and was a stellar initiative which not only celebrated outstanding female figures, but also elevated the local community, especially women.

“PERANTIS is a brilliant initiative by KPWKM that reflects a national commitment to strengthening women's participation across all levels of society, in line with the Ministry’s broader agenda on women empowerment, leadership development, and inclusive growth,” Ashley said.

The very first session for HER2026 took place in February 2026 at the Borneo Cultures Museum, where participants had the chance to work together with other like-minded women and take part in engaging sharing sessions as well as exciting hands-on activities and tutorials. The day-long event was divided into five modules – Foundations of Leadership, The Power of Voice, Storytelling with Your Voice, Public Leadership & Influence and Creativity & Expression in the Digital Age.

From practical leadership strategies and building leadership presence to learning the art of storytelling and expressing ideas creatively through digital media, participants of HER2026 got to work alongside other women and swap stories that spark new thinking as well as practice newly learned skills in real time, as they each had the opportunity to document their HER2026 journey through their own lens.

Throughout the 3-month programme, the participants completed a total of six assignments, which revolved around capturing key personal moments, connecting their HER learnings to real-world, unlearning old narratives and documenting their 3-month long journey. In March, participants, as well as speaker and facilitators took part in an online check-in session aimed at sharing progress, reflecting on experiences as well as refine ideas while practicing what they’ve learnt independently.

Datu Dr. Hajah Rashidah Bolhassan (2^nd left) presenting a certificate to a HER2026 graduate while Ashley (left) and HER2026’s Advisor, Ivy Pan (right) look on, at HER2026 Celebration Ceremony at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching.

The programme culminated in the HER2026 Celebration Ceremony, which was held at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching recently to honour the journey taken by the participants. The evening was graced by Member of the National Council for Women and Family, KPWKM, Datu Dr. Hajah Rashidah Bolhassan, representing the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri. During the ceremony, Dr. Rashidah also presented graduating participants of HER2026 with certificates to mark the conclusion of the programme.

“The PERANTIS initiative reflects our national commitment to strengthening women’s participation across all levels of society, in line with our broader agenda on women empowerment, leadership development, and inclusive growth,” said Dato Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri in a video message.

“HER2026 exemplifies these priorities. It brings together women from diverse backgrounds - from young executives to experienced officers - and provides a meaningful platform for connection, mentorship, and continuous development. Such efforts are crucial in ensuring that women are not only participants in progress, but leaders of it,” the Minister said.

Datu Dr. Hajah Rashidah Bolhassan (2^nd left) speaking at a panel session titled ‘Journey: Keep Going, Aim High’ during last night’s HER2026 Celebration Ceremony at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching.

A panel session titled ‘Journey: Keep Going, Aim High’ was also held during the HER2026 Celebration Ceremony, which featured insights from Dr. Rashidah as well as Managing Director of Arkitek Nurcipta Sdn Bhd, Erna Syafina Abdul Rahman; Founder and CEO of Plushed Event Management, Selina Lee; and Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Timberland Medical Centre, Dr. Sue Marie Cheng Kian Pei.

HER2026 was organised by BorneoTalk through its social enterprise Stirring Up Borneo (SUB) in collaboration with PERANTIS, KPWKM, Borneo Cultures Museum, and Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM) Young Souls.