An insider’s look at the HAEi LEAP program for 2026

For three days in late April, the HAEi LEAP 2026 class met in Copenhagen to learn, network, and grow as young advocates. But that long weekend is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to planning and delivering this program for the global HAEi Youngsters’ Community. To learn more about what goes into HAEi LEAP (which stands for Learn, Experience, Advocate, and Pave the way), Global Perspectives spoke to organizers Nevena Tsutsumanova and Debs Corcoran from HAEi.

We started by asking when planning for HAEi LEAP 2026 started, and it seems there is no rest for the pair, with planning for 2026 starting within days of the conclusion of the 2025 program. Nevena told us, “As soon as we finished with the final presentations for HAEi LEAP 2025, we began to plan for the class of 2026. We want to make sure that every aspect of the program is well planned, so we discuss and refine the content to make sure it is relevant and adapted to a young international audience.”

‘HAEi LEAP is a space where connections turn into friendships, and ideas begin to take shape. That belief in what’s possible is what motivates us to keep evolving and making each year better than the one before.’

– Nevena Tsutsumanova, Manager, Events and Special Projects, HAEi

The planning process starts with a simple question: What do we want the students to gain from this course? Is it a life/advocacy skill, a mindset, or a better understanding of a practical tool? From there, according to Debs, the pair move into the structure and flow of the course, with a big focus on making the training courses interactive and practical, as she explained: “We both believe that applying the things you read about on a real-life project is the best way to learn, so we incorporate exercises for practice, as well as homework for students to get to grips with new skills and concepts.”

HAEi designs the in-person kick-off and the whole HAEi LEAP program to provide advocacy skills education to students, and Nevena and Debs work equally hard to equip their students with life skills they can use in all sorts of situations, not just HAE advocacy.

‘HAEi LEAP represents an investment and promise for the future; for young people, for Member Organizations and for their HAE communities.’

– Deborah Corcoran, Director, Research, HAEi

With the program planned and agreed, we open the process for students to apply for a place on HAEi LEAP. The process is accessible, but it does require commitment, which both Debs and Nevena agree is critical to success. Interested young people need to think about a project they feel would benefit their HAE Member Organization (MO) and discuss it with the MO. If the project is agreed, both the young person and their MO complete a short application form to ensure commitment from all sides.

After all that planning, the successful young people arrive to begin their learning. In the days running up to the in-person learning, Debs and Nevena are planning what they describe as a ‘mini conference’. They admit they spend a lot of time to ensure everything is considered and perfect! On-site in the days leading up to the students’ arrival, they rehearse seven training courses, which helps them feel ready to welcome the students.

Nevena admits that even in the fourth year of HAEi LEAP, she still gets nervous when it comes to standing in front of a group of young people, but, “we expect the nerves,” she says, “because we care deeply about making the program a success.” The first day usually starts quietly, as the participants get to know each other, but in 2026, everyone seemed to click instantly. On the second day, there are meetings with pharmaceutical representatives and members of the HAEi Board, which, alongside the training courses, make for a full-on day. On the third and final day, students dive deeply into their proposed projects, fleshing out the details necessary to turn a dream into reality, and also get a dedicated session with an HAE expert doctor. This year, we thank Kathrin Schön from Charité hospital in Germany for joining us and facilitating a very well-received session. The last day is always bittersweet, as Debs confides, “We’re sad to be saying goodbye to the class we’ve grown so close to, but this is outweighed by the energy and commitment we see the students taking home with them.”

The learning continues online, with individuals working through 14 weeks of courses designed to expand their knowledge and motivate them, which is perhaps the biggest challenge of all. Along the way, Debs and Nevena will have two check-ins with every student to ensure they have all the support they need to succeed, before a final presentation of their project and hopefully 11 extremely happy LEAP graduates in July 2026.

You can keep up with the latest news from the Class of 2026 here.

‘LEAP is a program HAEi cares about deeply. It is an opportunity to support the next generation of advocates that will help move the global HAE movement even further forward.’

– Nevena Tsutsumanova, Manager, Events and Special Projects, HAEi

HAEi LEAP 2026: In numbers

  • 11 Students
  • 4 Alumni from previous years
  • 12 countries represented, covering all HAEi’s regions
  • 4 Supporters onsite
  • 1 Face-to-face with an expert HAE doctor
  • 7 in-person training courses complete
  • Too many to count: Friendships for life, photos and videos taken, stamps collected!

For HAEi LEAP 2026, HAEi acknowledges the generous support of diamond supporter BioCryst; gold supporters KalVista and Pharvaris; and silver supporter CSL.