[Event Report] AWLF Online Summit Vol.7
Guest Speaker: Ms. Harasha Bafana (Social Entrepreneur & Brand Strategist / AWLF Singapore Chair)
On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Asia Women Leaders Forum (AWLF) hosted the sixth edition of its online summit series.
This month, we welcomed Ms. Harasha Bafana, a leader who has dedicated her career to women’s empowerment and SME development across Asia, joining us from Singapore.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated and to Ms. Bafana for sharing her story with such honesty, compassion, and strength.
The AWLF Online Summit serves as a “third place” where Asian women leaders come together across generations and borders for dialogue and mutual learning through shared stories and values.
■ Guest Speaker
Ms. Harasha Bafana｜Social Entrepreneur & Brand Strategist / AWLF Singapore Chair
Ms. Bafana began her career as a diplomat at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, later serving in a managerial role at SingTel before venturing into entrepreneurship.
Her restaurant “Samar,” which she grew into a million-dollar business without any advertising, was selected for TIME Magazine’s “Best of Asia.”
As SME Centre Director at the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SMCCI), she has advised over 5,000 SMEs.
She is also the Founder & President of BNI Venus, Singapore’s only women-exclusive chapter of the world’s largest referral organization, empowering women entrepreneurs across the region.
Today, she works as a business accelerator supporting SMEs and women entrepreneurs, while championing ecosystems where women, especially those in vulnerable positions, can fully realize their potential.
■ Highlights from the Keynote
“Falling Forward — Turning Life’s Pain into Power”
During her keynote, Ms. Bafana spoke with candor and warmth about her personal journey:
- The loss of her mother and experiences of heartbreak
- Setbacks in her professional and personal life
- Rising again through entrepreneurship, community work, and coaching
- Discovering her purpose through service and leadership
She emphasized that painful experiences do not push us backward—they can move us forward, shaping strength, compassion, and clarity of purpose.
Her message centered on Acceptance, Abundance, and Ascension, and the belief that:
“Small voices, when nurtured, can ignite profound social change.”
She also highlighted the importance of women documenting their stories and community experiences not only for themselves, but for future generations.
■ From the Dialogue Session
In the second half, participants shared reflections and engaged deeply with Ms. Bafana’s message.
Themes that resonated strongly included:
- Motherhood and the emotional labor women carry
- The transformative role of mentors
- Navigating personal growth through adversity
- How women can uplift one another across borders
- The meaning of “leadership with love”
The dialogue became a space of empathy and connection, with many participants relating Ms. Bafana’s story to their own journeys.
■ Looking Ahead
AWLF continues to work toward its vision of cultivating 10 million women leaders from Asia by 2030, with a major international summit scheduled for 2026 at the United Nations ESCAP headquarters in Bangkok, bringing together 333 Asian women leaders.
This online summit was yet another step toward that shared future, an uplifting moment where perspectives and compassion transcended borders and generations.
Our next online summit (Vol. 8) is scheduled for Friday, March 13.
We warmly invite you to join us again.
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