Center for Asia Leadership

What Center for Asia Leadership does

Center for Asia Leadership (CAL) is a non-profit international organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that delivers leadership development and change management programming primarily across Asia. The organization serves mid-to-senior-level decision makers in business, government, international organizations, and non-profits, with a stated reach of 50,000+ beneficiaries across 31+ countries in 2021 and 36,000+ individuals served cumulatively across 700+ organizations. Its core offerings are organized around four pillars: (1) Signature Programs built on the Adaptive Leadership Framework and Futures Thinking Framework developed at Harvard Kennedy School, including a Parliamentarian Leadership Program, General Program, ESG Masterclass, and Trek leadership tours; (2) organizational consulting services for change management; (3) annual conferences, specifically the Asian Leadership Conference (ALC) and Asia Leadership Forum (ALF), featuring Harvard and other faculty; and (4) publications comprising the eight-volume Rethinking Asia book series and standalone titles, plus an online learning subscription.

The underlying technology is the proprietary content stack derived from Harvard academic frameworks rather than a software platform. Programs are priced at RM2,600–RM2,800 per workshop seat (HRDF-claimable in Malaysia), publications at $7.50–$53, and an annual online learning subscription at $100. The business model blends professional services (training, consulting), one-time publication sales, and recurring subscription revenue, with delivery through in-person venues, virtual/hybrid formats, and an e-commerce store accepting eight currencies. The organization operates five offices (Cambridge, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Manila, Tokyo) and has established flagship partnerships with the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Star Media Group, and Chosun to co-present events.

CAL is founder-led by Co-Founder and President Samuel Kim, with a Vice President John Lim. It maintains no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no audited revenue figures in the source data. The value proposition rests on access to Harvard-affiliated faculty, the Adaptive Leadership and Futures Thinking methodologies, a community of 36,000+ alumni across 32+ countries, and an integrated content-to-conference-to-consulting ecosystem.

Name

Center for Asia Leadership

Legal name

Center for Asia Leadership

Website

https://asialeadership.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for Asia Leadership is a non-profit founded in 2014 that delivers Harvard-derived Adaptive Leadership and Futures Thinking training, conferences, consulting, and publications to mid-to-senior professionals across 32+ countries in Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leadership Development and Executive Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

C-Suite & Senior Executive Coaching (EDABANAA), Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture) (BPACAJAH), Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• Executive education
• Organizational consulting
• Adaptive leadership training
• Professional development conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Leadership Training Programs: Revenue from signature programs, parliamentarian leadership programs, ESG masterclasses, and general leadership courses delivered to organizations and professionals. Programs range from 2-day workshops to multi-day intensives, priced at RM2,600-RM2,800 per participant.
2. Publications Sales: Sale of books including The Art of Adaptive Leadership ($14.99), Rethinking Asia series (individual books $7.50-$14.99, bundled sets at $19.50-$53.00), and other leadership titles. Both paperback and e-book formats available.
3. Online Learning Subscription: Annual subscription at $100 providing access to Asian Leadership Conference videos, Asian Leadership Forum recordings, masterclasses, and interviews.
4. Organizational Consulting: Custom consulting engagements for organizations requiring tailored leadership development and change management solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Center for Asia Leadership is a non-profit international organization that delivers leadership development programs, organizational consulting, and conferences for professionals and government officials across Asia. Its offerings include signature adaptive leadership programs, parliamentarian leadership training, ESG masterclasses, leadership treks, the annual Asian Leadership Conference, and a portfolio of books and online learning subscriptions. Faculty are drawn from Harvard University and other world-leading institutions, and programs are grounded in the Adaptive Leadership Framework and Futures Thinking methodologies.

Product overview

Center for Asia Leadership offers a comprehensive portfolio of leadership development products and services organized around four core pillars: (1) Signature Programs including the Adaptive Leadership Framework for Emerging and Senior Leaders, Parliamentarian Leadership Program, General Program, ESG Masterclass, and Trek Leadership Tours; (2) Consulting Services for organizational change management; (3) Fellowship and Conference programs including the annual Asian Leadership Conference and Asian Leadership Forum; and (4) Publications including the Rethinking Asia book series (volumes 1-8), standalone titles like The Art of Adaptive Leadership, Leaders in Development, Next Generation Leadership, and Leadership That Triumphs, plus bundled sets. The organization also provides Online Learning Subscriptions for on-demand access to conference recordings and masterclasses. Programs are delivered by faculty from Harvard University and other world-leading institutions, with teaching locations spanning Boston, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Manila, and Tokyo.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adaptive Leadership Signature Program: Flagship leadership development program focusing on adaptive leadership frameworks for emerging and senior leaders
• Asian Leadership Conference (ALC)
• Asia Leadership Forum
• Parliamentarian Leadership Program
• ESG Masterclass
• Rethinking Asia Series
• Asia Leadership Institute Series

Products and services

• Adaptive Leadership Signature Program Flagship signature program teaching adaptive leadership and futures thinking frameworks for emerging and senior leaders, developed from Harvard thought leadership.
• Parliamentarian Leadership Program Specialized leadership program designed specifically for parliamentarians and government officials to develop adaptive leadership capabilities for governance and policy-making.
• General Leadership Program General leadership development program for working professionals across business, government, international organizations, and non-profit sectors.
• ESG Masterclass Executive masterclass focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and sustainable leadership practices for sustainability leaders.
• Trek – Leadership Tour Experiential learning journey combining leadership development with international travel and immersion in Asian business and cultural environments, including Fellowship Tours and Asia Leadership Treks.
• Organizational Consulting Services Custom consulting engagements for organizations seeking tailored leadership development, change management, and strategic foresight solutions.
• Asian Leadership Conference (ALC) Annual flagship conference bringing together thought leaders from Harvard and world-leading institutions to discuss leadership, strategy, innovation, and the future of work in Asia.
• Asia Leadership Forum (ALF) Annual forum bringing together global thought leaders to discuss adaptive leadership, futures thinking, and strategies for navigating uncertainty, featuring Harvard speakers and world thought leaders.
• Fellowship Program Professional fellowship program for developing leaders through structured learning, mentorship, and practical application.
• The Art of Adaptive Leadership (Book) Key lessons gathered over ten years of leadership development and change-management work across 32 countries, exploring what real leadership is and how to achieve it through adaptive action.
• Rethinking Asia Book Series Book series with 8+ titles exploring education, innovation, entrepreneurship, political change, women's leadership, the future of work, and Asia's future. Available individually ($7.50-$14.99) or in bundled sets ($19.50-$53.00).
• Online Learning Subscription Annual subscription at $100 providing access to Asian Leadership Conference and Asian Leadership Forum video recordings, masterclasses, and interviews for one year.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ beneficiaries reached from 31+ countries in 2021 alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Sin Chew DailyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Featured in Sin Chew Daily, Malaysia's leading Chinese-language newspaper, providing media coverage for open enrollment programs in East Malaysia.
• ChosunflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership with Chosun for the Asian Leadership Conference (ALC), providing platform and promotional support for the annual conference.
• Harvard University FacultycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Teaching Fellows from Harvard University (Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School) serve as faculty, bringing Adaptive Leadership and Futures Thinking frameworks to programs. Includes faculty such as David Shore, Dana Born, Dean Williams, Steven Jarding, Julie Wilson, and Moshik Temkin.
• MIT FacultycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Faculty from MIT participate in programs, particularly Asia Leadership Treks and Fellowship Tours, contributing to experiential learning experiences.
• Tufts University FacultycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Faculty from Tufts University contribute to leadership programs and experiential learning tours across Asia.
• Star Media Group BhdflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Virtual platform collaboration for Asia Leadership Forum 2020 with theme 'The World After Covid: How To Lead Adaptively Beyond the Crisis'.
• Jeffrey Cheah FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-presenter of the 3rd Asia Leadership Forum (ALF) with the theme 'The Future of Leadership'. Jeffrey Cheah Foundation's support enables delivery of thought leadership programming featuring Harvard speakers.
• The Star Events GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Co-presenter of the Asia Leadership Forum alongside Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. Star Media Group Bhd provides media and event management partnership for forum delivery.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Dale Carnegie Training: Established global training organization with strong Asia presence offering leadership, communication, and people skills programs. Comparable to CAL in leadership training delivery and Asian market footprint, though operating a franchise model.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with significant leadership development, executive coaching, and talent advisory practices. Comparable to CAL's consulting and leadership advisory offerings but at vastly larger enterprise scale with public-company resources.
• INSEAD Executive Education: Top-ranked international business school with deep executive education offerings in leadership, strategy, and organizational change. Comparable to CAL in serving global executives and offering Asia-relevant programs, but with broader scope and degree-granting authority.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership development firm offering assessments, training, and coaching for mid-to-senior leaders. Comparable to CAL in target buyer (corporate L&D and HR leaders) and adaptive leadership content area, but at significantly larger enterprise scale.
• FranklinCovey: Global leadership and organizational effectiveness training company offering signature frameworks (e.g., 7 Habits) and enterprise programs. Comparable to CAL in leadership training delivery model, but operates at much larger scale and is for-profit.
• Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education: Premier public-policy and leadership executive education provider. Shares CAL's Adaptive Leadership Framework heritage and Harvard faculty network, but operates as the upstream institutional source rather than a regional adapter.

Direct peers

• Asia School of Business: Malaysia-based business school co-founded with MIT Sloan, offering executive education and leadership programs across ASEAN. Comparable to CAL in regional focus, Malaysia footprint, and Asia-focused executive curriculum.
• Center for Creative Leadership: Global non-profit specializing in leadership development research, assessment, and executive education. Directly comparable to CAL in mission, non-profit structure, and focus on advancing leadership practice, though larger and more US/Europe-centric.

Emerging players

• Thunderbird School of Global Management (ASU): Global management school focused on developing leaders for emerging markets, including Asia. Comparable to CAL in cross-cultural leadership development and Asia focus, with a more traditional degree-granting academic model.

Regional players

• Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy: Singapore-based public policy school offering executive programs for Asian government and policy leaders. Comparable to CAL's parliamentarian/government segment and Asia leadership development mission, with stronger institutional academic standing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/asialeadership

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Asia Leadership