HERDD Huddle

UN CSW70 - New York

We talk about female leadership as if the gap is confidence or capability. In reality, the gap is often access — to opportunity, to decision-making, to networks, and to justice.

That was the premise behind the HERDD Huddle in New York (March 2026) during the 70th Session of the UNITED NATIONS Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). Together with Women’s Federation for World Peace International and Women of the World, we convened leaders across sectors for a different kind of conversation — one designed not just to amplify women’s voices, but to create space for them.

We started with a series of 7-minute provocations exploring three critical questions:

What barriers continue to limit women’s economic participation?
Why is climate justice also a women’s leadership issue?
How do we integrate access to justice into leadership itself?

Then we shifted the format. Instead of a traditional panel, we used a fishbowl dialogue. Open seats invited participation. Audience members stepped into the circle, contributed their perspectives, and made room for others to join.

The result was a simple but important reminder: Leadership is not a conversation reserved for a select few. It’s a system that becomes stronger when more voices are heard.

The HERDD Huddle also marked the launch of HERDD, Southeast Asia’s female leadership accelerator — offering insight, visibility, and commune — for emerging leaders to move beyond the middle and lead at the top. Because the future needs more women in rooms where decisions are made — and more rooms designed so women can fully participate.

Here are some stories about the HERDD Huddle in New York alongside UN CSW70:

Filipina-led HERDD aims to close the gender gaps in leadership — Business World
Filipina-led conversations on sidelines of UN sessions in New York — PhilStar.com
Filipina-led initiative launches new platform to help more women lead in Southeast Asia — Philippine Daily Inquirer
Filipina-led initiative launches new platform to help more women lead in Southeast Asia — Manila Times

If you’d like to help shape conversations where female leaders are front and center, let’s talk.

Curate a HERDD Huddle

The Huddle design evoked vigorous interaction among us. I loved the energy. The fishbowl type of conversation, my first time to witness, allowed an instantaneous and deep sharing. So deep, I wished there was more time for each theme. So far, it's the most interactive event I've attended in NYC, beautiful and equitable in its circularity, unlike the typical symposium or classroom setting. Congratulations to the organizers.

Marivir

New York-based journalist

I just want to thank you again for the fishbowl opportunity and the whole event was amazing… My colleagues thought it was one of the best events this week.

Ann

CEO

Even in that short time, I had such a blast. Thank you so much for the invite and for letting us be a part of your big launch, the work you’ve done is seriously impressive. Like I mentioned last night, seeing what you’ve built was exactly the spark I needed. It gave me a huge confidence boost to finally push forward with my own little project at work.

Katrina

Manager in a New York-based company

UN CSW70 - New York

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77 High Street, #10-12B, High Street Plaza, Singapore 179433