Built by a girl who dared to dream
Lisa Cheng is the Founder and CEO of Project EmpowerHER, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of Asian women leaders through mentorship, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Lisa grew up balancing cultural expectations, identity, and ambition. While she was encouraged to succeed academically, she rarely saw Asian women encouraged to speak boldly, take risks, or view themselves as leaders.
That realization became the foundation of Project EmpowerHER: creating the kind of space she once wished existed for herself and other young Asian women.
Today, Lisa is a speaker, advocate, and community leader passionate about helping young Asian women find their voices, lead with confidence, and create meaningful change within their communities.
The Problem
Young Asian women are often taught to succeed quietly — but rarely encouraged to lead boldly. Despite being one of the fastest-growing demographics in higher education and professional spaces, Asian women hold less than 2.4% of
C-suite leadership positions in the United States (McKinsey and Co, 2022).
Is this lack of representation a lack of ability? We think not.
C-Suite Positions
Why Asian Women?
Asian women often grow up navigating a unique intersection of cultural and societal pressures that shape the way they see themselves and their potential. From the “model minority” myth that praises achievement while discouraging self-expression, to stereotypes that portray Asian women as passive or submissive, many are taught to succeed quietly rather than lead boldly.
Barriers like the “bamboo ceiling,” underrepresentation in leadership, fetishization, and xenophobia continue to limit visibility and opportunity for Asian women beyond stereotypes.
Project EmpowerHER was created to change that — building a space where young Asian women feel seen, heard, and empowered to take up space unapologetically.
What Makes Project EmpowerHER Different?
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Leadership skills are not built alone. Through our intimate cohort model, Fellows learn alongside other Asian women embarking on the same journey.
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Our three pillars:
Courage
Innovate
Ignite
Represent our commitment to development, entrepreneurship, mentorship, advocacy, and community impact into one experience designed to help students not only build confidence, but create meaningful change within their communities.
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Project EmpowerHER was designed specifically for young Asian women in mind. A group that has been historically, culturally, and stereotyped. We believe in a future where every Asian girl can dream out loud, find her community, and grow alongside others.