Rise AV, a not-for-profit initiative supporting women in the AV industry, has launched its first international council and mentoring programme in the Asia Pacific region. The initiative, which launched in the UK in January 2025, will begin its APAC programme in Singapore and Hong Kong, providing six months of structured mentorship and professional development for women at all career stages.
Applications are open for female mentees and industry mentors of all genders, with participation free thanks to sponsors including QSC and ROE Visual. Participants will be paired with experienced mentors from across the AV sector and take part in virtual and in-person training, networking and leadership development sessions tailored to regional needs.
Rise AV has established the Rise AV APAC Regional Council to provide insights into cultural needs and challenges across different regions. The council will work with Rise AV’s global leadership team to ensure the programme remains regionally relevant. Council members will help recruit mentors, mentees and sponsors.
Chaired by Peter Hunt, group chief executive of Hewshott, the council includes senior industry leaders from across the region.
Hunt said: “By combining global expertise with local insight, we’re creating a programme that reflects the region’s diversity and potential, giving women in AV the tools and confidence to thrive throughout APAC, and hopefully beyond.”
Angela Franco, senior manager of strategy and business operations for APAC at QSC, added: “As Rise AV expands into APAC, we’re proud to support their mission to open doors for underrepresented talent and advance a more inclusive AV industry. At QSC, we’re committed to environments where women can grow and lead, and this partnership strengthens our shared drive for meaningful, long-term change.”
Applications for the Rise AV APAC mentoring programme opened on December 1, 2025 and close on January 31, 2026. Mentor and mentee pairings will be announced in March 2026, with the programme launching in May 2026.
Rachael Hamilton, managing director of Rise AV, said: “As we expand into APAC, we are actively seeking sponsors who share our commitment to giving women in AV the growth potential they deserve.”
Rise AV was launched in 2025 to support women working in or aspiring to enter the AV sector. The organisation was formed from Rise, which was established in 2017 to support women in the broadcast media technology industry.
