She Dares to Rise (former event name was Women Who Dare) was born from a powerful belief: that every story of courage has the power to inspire another.

Since its first gathering, we have grown into a movement that celebrates authenticity, courage, and the strength we find in one another. Each year, individuals come together on International Women’s Day to share their stories of breaking barriers, stepping into leadership, and daring to live fully as their authentic selves.

In 2025, about 90 attendees joined us in Hillsboro to hear from an extraordinary lineup of speakers — from bestselling authors and climate justice leaders to deans, entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, and global performers. We are reminded us that courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s a leap, sometimes it’s a whisper, sometimes it’s choosing to show up one more time.

At its heart, She Dares to Rise is a safe and inclusive space. It’s about celebrating courage, fostering connection, honoring successes, and finding the strength to begin again — to keep daring, believing, leading, and leaping forward.

Founded and hosted by Dr. Shi Choong — an event planner, storyteller, and former Intel engineer who left the corporate world to follow her calling — She Dares to Rise bridges precision with artistry, intellect with heart. Through this platform, and Shi’s ongoing storytelling channel Ignite with Shi, the mission remains the same: to ignite courage, amplify voices, and create spaces where anyone who believes in empowerment can belong.

Together, we dare — and together, we rise.