Across industries, leadership priorities are shifting. Beyond delivering business performance, organisations are increasingly expected to respond to rapid technological change, strengthen resilience against global uncertainty, and create lasting value for society. These evolving expectations are placing stewardship and long-term thinking at the centre of leadership conversations.
These questions will form the backdrop of the Steward Leadership Summit 2026, which returns to Singapore on 28 October at the Hilton Singapore Orchard under the theme “Resilience Through Uncertainty.” Organised by the Steward Leadership Institute, the annual summit has established itself as a platform for conversations that extend beyond short-term business priorities, focusing instead on how organisations can create enduring value for business, society and the environment.
This year’s theme reflects a growing shift in leadership thinking. While technological innovation continues to accelerate, long-term success increasingly depends on the strength of an organisation’s principles, governance and ability to adapt responsibly. Rather than viewing resilience as simply managing risk, the summit will explore how it can become a source of long-term competitive advantage.
The programme brings together perspectives from government, business and sustainability leaders. Mr Teo Chee Hean, Chairman of Temasek Holdings, will open the summit with a keynote on leading with clarity in an increasingly fragmented world, while discussions throughout the morning will examine how organisations can navigate rapid technological change without losing sight of purpose. Artificial intelligence will feature prominently, with Mr Daniel Erasmus, Founder of ClimateGPT, exploring how emerging technologies can support environmental and social progress while raising new questions around governance, trust and responsible leadership.
The summit will also mark the announcement of the Steward Leadership 25 (SL25) 2026 winners. More than an awards programme, SL25 has become an international showcase of organisations demonstrating that commercial success and positive societal impact can reinforce one another. Previous winners have ranged from healthcare innovators improving access to essential services to businesses developing more inclusive and sustainable operating models, illustrating how steward leadership can be translated into measurable outcomes.
As stewardship continues to gain prominence in boardrooms and executive discussions, the summit has evolved alongside it. What began as a platform to promote responsible leadership has become a forum where leaders examine how organisations can remain resilient amid uncertainty while continuing to create long-term value for their stakeholders.
Three months ahead of the event, the questions facing leaders are already clear. How can organisations embrace AI without compromising trust? How should businesses respond to growing geopolitical and climate uncertainty? And what does responsible leadership look like in a decade defined by constant change? Steward Leadership Summit 2026 aims to provide a platform where those conversations can begin and where practical ideas for the future can emerge.
