Lotus Leadership Honorees 2026 Announced by Asia Foundation

• Jacqueline Novogratz, WBC Mongolia, and Microsoft honored for women’s empowerment across Asia-Pacific
• Leaders recognized for driving access to capital, entrepreneurship, and future workforce inclusion
• Event fund supports safety, legal aid, and economic opportunities for women

Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder & CEO of Acumen; Women’s Business Center Mongolia; and Microsoft announced as Lotus Leadership Awardees 2026 by The Asia Foundation (TAF). The award ceremony will take place on April 22 in New York City, recognizing their impact on women’s economic growth and empowerment across Asia-Pacific.

Hosted by Lotus Circle, this year’s theme, “Economic Opportunity Changes the Equation” is reflective of the 2026 awardees’ efforts for accelerating women’s opportunities at scale. The platform present women with an expanding network of access to finance, helping them in long-term entrepreneurial growth, allowing women’s inclusion in various industries shaping the future of work. Marking 16 years of impactful work, the awards celebrate leadership spanning system change and local impact in gender equality.

Microsoft, the corporate honoree, is acknowledged for its global leadership in advancing women’s inclusion into the digital and industrial framework of future economy. Jacqueline, the global honoree, is honoured for redefining capital deployment ensuring a patient, purpose-driven investment approach supporting women entrepreneurs globally.

Women’s Business Center Mongolia, the local honoree, has been recognized for delivering sustained, community-based initiatives that empower women-led ventures into scalable, sustainable businesses.

Lotus Circle is a philanthropic network backing TAF’s ongoing commitment and efforts to enhance opportunities for women and girls’ right across the Asia-Pacific region. The event proceeds are rightly aimed at supporting initiatives addressing women’s issue against violence, strengthen legal aid and enhance economic opportunities for them to excel.