Asian Boss Ladies
ABL has always been built by its members.
Now we're making that official: a membership to sustain the community in the long run.
Who we are
We conspire on each other's behalf.
We're a collective of Asian American women. Many of us work in nonprofits, activism, and social impact, or are figuring out how to bring that into whatever comes next.
Our mission hasn't changed: build community and incubate Asian American women's power and leadership, in big and small ways, toward a more just and equitable future.
A note from Rhea and Steph
In 2018 we hosted the first ABL dinner in Rhea's apartment. Steph was pregnant and wanted her daughter surrounded by strong, generous, proud Asian women. Rhea wanted a room where nobody had to explain themselves.
Eight years later, that room holds 250 people, an annual retreat, dinners, and more introductions than we can count. All of it run by volunteers, out of pocket. We want to keep it going for another eight, and that takes all of us.
Rhea Wong & Stephanie LaiCo-founders
Who it's for
You'll fit right in if
You want to be the change and could use some company while you do it. You might be leading an organization, switching careers, starting something scrappy, or just tired and in need of your people.
Probably not for you if
You're after a structured career program with a calendar full of mandatory events. We know you're busy and will show up when you can.
What you get
Five things your membership opens up.
🌿 $50 off the Liberated Leadership Retreat
Three restorative and inspiring days at the Omega Institute with workshops, rest, movement, and fun. Members get priority registration and $50 off the ticket price. Register for the retreat and your membership has already paid for itself. Your dues help us lock in the space and fund scholarships.
💬 The listserv
Put an idea out into the world and get a kind response. Ask for a job lead, a fundraising intro, an OB-GYN rec. Someone on the list knows someone.
📖 A member directory
You've asked, and it's finally happening. See who's in the community and connect directly.
🍜 Dinners and gatherings
Intimate dinners in homes and bigger gatherings throughout the year.
🌱 Member-led groups
The What's Next Club for people in career transition started here, alongside groups for entrepreneurship, writing, finance, and thought leadership. Yours could too.
How do I join?
Three steps, about four minutes.
- Pay your $50 annual membership, or request a waiver.
- Fill out a short form so we know who you are and can add you to the directory.
- Watch for your welcome email.
Deadline: December 31, 2026. After that, we'll clean up the listserv and keep it to members. If life gets in the way, you can always join later.
Claim your membership →Where your $50 goes
As a community, we fuel the work.
Your contribution covers:
- Retreat costs, and scholarships for members who need them
- Invitations to dinners and community gatherings
- Part-time help keeping the listserv and our social channels running
- Invitations to additional online and in-person programming, which we hope you'll help us grow
Fifty dollars a year works out to about $4 a month. And it's tax-deductible, since dues are processed through our fiscal sponsor.
If the fee is a barrier, tell us and we'll work it out. We'd rather have you here.
Claim your membership →Help shape what's next
This community is what members make it.
When you sign up, tell us what you'd want from ABL, what you'd lead, and what's missing. We read every response.
Our values
How we treat each other.
🤲 Generosity
We come from abundance, not scarcity. We share resources, ideas, connections, contacts, and meals.
🤝 We got you
Being vulnerable and starting something new is hard. We stand shoulder to shoulder so you can be your bravest self.
✨ Authenticity
Life is too damn short to pretend otherwise. Shine your light.
🪴 Progress, not perfection
Death to the tyranny of perfectionism. Go after the wild dream, even if you stumble at first.
💗 Kindness is the ground rule
Feedback here is generous. That's what makes this place rare, and we protect it.
Questions
The ones you're probably asking.
I've been on the listserv for years. Do I have to pay?
Yes, even founders and leadership will pay. Membership allows us to have a sustainable future.
What happens if I don't?
After December 31 we'll clean up the listserv and keep it to members. No hard feelings, and you can join later whenever you want.
Is $50 going to become $200 next year?
No plans for that. If dues ever change, members hear it first and well in advance.
Who decided this?
The leadership team, after a lot of conversation about what it takes to keep ABL running without burning out the people running it.