ASEAN Women Tech Leaders to Gather in Singapore for ACXOA PROPEL 2026

• Photo courtesy of ASEAN CXO Association (ACXOA)

More than a dozen of ASEAN’s leading women executives, policymakers, cybersecurity experts, and technology leaders will take center stage at the Women in Tech Track of PROPEL 2026, the official launch of the ASEAN CXO Association (ACXOA) and the 9th ASEAN CXO Leadership Forum, taking place on July 7 at Hilton Singapore Orchard.

The Women in Tech Track brings together influential leaders from government, cybersecurity, venture capital, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and corporate leadership. Among the featured speakers are Mel Migriño, President of the ACXOA Women in Tech Council; Grace Baluyan, Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry; Denise Ang, Chief Strategy Officer and Director of Singapore’s AI Centre; Stephanie Boo, APAC Senior Vice President of Menlo Security; Emily Poon, CEO of the Singapore Institute of Directors; and Nichol Ng, CEO of X-Inc Group.

The lineup also includes senior executives and policymakers from Indonesia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, underscoring ASEAN’s growing commitment to advancing inclusive leadership in technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital governance.

Migriño said the Women in Tech Track represents more than a platform for dialogue—it is an opportunity to strengthen regional collaboration at a time when digital transformation is reshaping economies across Southeast Asia.

“Technology is transforming every sector of society, and the conversations shaping that future must be equally inclusive. Forums like PROPEL bring together leaders across ASEAN to share experiences, build partnerships, and ensure that innovation is driven by diverse perspectives,” Migriño said.

According to ACXOA, PROPEL 2026 marks the organization’s transition from the long-running ASEAN CIO Forum into the broader ASEAN CXO Association, expanding its focus beyond information technology leaders to include CEOs, CISOs, CFOs, CTOs, board directors, policymakers, and other C-suite executives driving the region’s digital economy.

The forum carries the theme “Change is Constant: Towards an Innovative, Sustainable and Digitally Inclusive ASEAN.” Participants will discuss artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital governance, smart cities, sustainability, investment, and digital transformation, while fostering greater collaboration among business leaders, governments, and technology stakeholders across the region.

Migriño added that developing technology alone is not enough to build ASEAN’s digital future.

“ASEAN’s digital future depends not only on advancing technology but also on developing trusted leaders. The Women in Tech Track is about creating a regional community where women can contribute to shaping policies, strengthening cybersecurity, accelerating AI adoption, and building a more inclusive digital economy.”

The Women in Tech Track is one of several leadership forums under PROPEL 2026 aimed at highlighting emerging ideas and strengthening cross-border partnerships as ASEAN continues its journey toward a more connected and digitally inclusive future.

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