Action Pathway
Leadership and Exchanges
Across Asia and the Pacific, urbanization, economic transformation, and rapid demographic and technological shifts are reshaping how societies grow, govern, and connect.
Solving the these and other emerging challenges requires more than sound ideas and strategies—it requires the right people. The most innovative and game-changing ideas fall short if subjected to poor leadership. Many emerging leaders lack access to the professional development education and opportunities they need to grow in their careers. That’s why we invest in emerging leaders, helping to build the skills, professional networks, and cross-cultural understanding they need to help solve the region’s toughest challenges.
Impact
LeadNext connects emerging leaders across Asia, the Pacific, and the United States to strengthen mutual understanding, build lasting networks, and develop the skills needed to collaborate on complex regional and global challenges. In 2025, 100% of fellows reported stronger leadership capacity, professional confidence, and international networks.
Since 2014, the Asia Foundation Development Fellows program has equipped accomplished professionals from across Asia and the Pacific with leadership skills, regional perspectives, and lasting peer networks to address complex development challenges. Its alumni community of nearly 150 leaders includes innovators shaping policy, advancing environmental resilience, strengthening governance, and driving social change.
The William P. Fuller Fellowship in Peacebuilding advances the work of emerging peacebuilders. In 2025, 100% of fellows reported increased professional confidence, stronger networks, and expanded tools for addressing conflict in their communities.
APPROACH
The Asia Foundation has long worked to identify, equip, and develop leaders of consequence—from emerging, next-generation development and policy experts to highly accomplished leaders who seek to do more. Through a portfolio of leadership development initiatives tailored to people across sectors and career stages, we provide the mentoring, peer learning, leadership training, and cross-border dialogue they need to thrive.
We partner with local organizations, universities, government institutions, cultural bodies, and regional experts to ensure each initiative is grounded in local contexts and responsive to participants’ needs. TAF’s approach includes a range of programs, including the Asia Foundation Development Fellows, Luce Scholars, Yong Asian Diplomats, and other highly competitive programs. Each one is designed not only to support individual participants in their own leadership journeys but also to create networks of support and engagement across countries, regions, and sectors that will build cooperation and shared growth.
