At the Heart of YWLC: The Leaders Behind our Community Experience
- Young Women's Leadership Connection
- Sep 26
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 29
At YWLC, the sense of community is what transforms membership into a meaningful journey of growth and connection. Central to this experience is the Community pillar, which guides how members are welcomed, supported, and engaged throughout their time with YWLC.
Continuing our series featuring the 9th Executive Committee (EXCO), we speak with Yuxin Seow (Member Recruitment), Abigail Sy (Member Journey), and Evonne Li (Member Engagement), who share their reflections and aspirations for shaping a vibrant and inclusive YWLC community.
Can you share what inspired you to volunteer with YWLC and take on a leadership role in your respective subcommittee?
Abigail: When I first joined YWLC, I got so much more than I expected. I came in looking for a space to learn and grow with like-minded women, but what I found was a community that gave me friendships I still treasure, chances to try things I wouldn’t have on my own, and a network of women who genuinely support one another.
Through the various events, I saw many sides of what this community had to offer, but what stood out most was how warm the welcome felt. I didn’t know a lot of people at my first few events, but I never felt out of place, and that sense of belonging was what kept me coming back.
So when the opportunity came to lead as the Director of Member Journey, it felt like the right way to give back. I wanted to help recreate that experience for others: to make sure new members don’t just sign up and disappear, but actually feel the energy and support of YWLC from the start. I’d love to help every new member feel the same warmth and welcome that made me stay.
Evonne: I was deeply inspired by the dedication and heart that the previous YWLC directors poured into their work. Watching how they led with purpose and created a real impact in the community motivated me to step up and give back in my own way. YWLC has given me so much, not only in terms of personal and professional growth, but also in forming meaningful friendships and fostering a strong sense of belonging. It felt natural to want to pay it forward and contribute to something greater than myself.
One of the defining moments for me was co-leading Let’s Talk. Taking an idea from concept to reality and seeing the positive impact it had through honest conversations and genuine connections was truly rewarding. It showed me the power of creating spaces where women support and uplift one another. That experience deepened my belief in the value of our work at YWLC and encouraged me to take on a larger leadership role to help create more of those meaningful moments for others.
As someone who has often stayed behind the scenes, I made the decision to step forward, embrace courage, and lead with intention. I wanted to grow personally, but more importantly, to make a lasting and meaningful impact in a community that has given me so much.
Yuxin: My journey with YWLC began approximately eight years ago, when I sought to surround myself with ambitious, growth-minded women who inspire and challenge me. While I initially attended networking events to meet new people, I quickly realised that interactions at events only scratch the surface of building meaningful relationships. True connections require time, shared experiences, and vulnerability, something that can't be achieved through casual networking alone.
Hence, I had been active in various YWLC subcommittees or organising committees, where working alongside like-minded women toward common goals has formed genuine friendships through collaboration. After years of personal and professional growth within YWLC's subcommittees, I am completing my volunteering journey by serving on the 9th Exco as Director of Member Recruitment, at the forefront of shaping and building YWLC.
Director of Member Recruitment – Yuxin
Looking ahead, what are your plans for the next few years as Director of Member Recruitment, and what exciting opportunities can members expect if they join your subcommittee?
Yuxin: As Director of Member Recruitment, I oversee YWLC's public-facing portfolio, managing flagship events such as International Women's Day and the Future Women's Leadership Forum (FWLF), alongside intimate gatherings like Milestone & Transitions. Members joining our subcommittee will develop strong event management, leadership, and strategic planning skills while creating engaging experiences that attract high-calibre women to discover YWLC. Our events also provide the perfect opportunity for current members to bring their friends and showcase what makes YWLC special. We're also launching a new partnership initiative with other non-profit women's networks to expand our outreach and collaboration opportunities. This is a great opportunity to play a key role in growing YWLC's member community while honing your skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.
For members considering joining Member Recruitment, what makes the experience impactful and rewarding?
Yuxin: What makes Member Recruitment impactful and rewarding is the unique opportunity to shape YWLC's growth through public-facing events that extend our reach beyond current membership. As a subcommittee member, you'll gain experience in strategic outreach while helping to attract talented and diverse women to our community through creative and engaging initiatives. The experience is fulfilling because you'll work closely with fellow members toward meaningful goals and build friendships through shared projects. You'll also have opportunities to develop your event management and leadership skills while contributing to YWLC's mission in a tangible way. I'm also committed to creating a subcommittee environment where we enjoy the journey together while achieving real impact, a space where you can grow personally and professionally while building lasting friendships. If this resonates with you, do reach out to join us!
Director of Member Journey – Abigail
How do you ensure new members feel supported as they navigate their first experiences?
Abigail: I often reflect on why people join YWLC in the first place. Most people come looking for connection, personal growth, professional development, and to give back to the community. That’s why we at Member Journey have been intentional about the experiences we create. Some members thrive in lively social settings, while others prefer smaller, more reflective spaces or digital resources that they can engage with at their own pace.
This is what led me to rethink onboarding: combining the traditional, such as our TGIT Welcome Socials, with new formats and touch points. The goal is to meet members where they are, whether that’s through in-person events that bring the community to life or digital channels that allow them to explore at their own pace.
Looking ahead, what initiatives do you have in mind to welcome new members and ease their onboarding as a member?
Abigail: Building on that intentional approach, we’re introducing initiatives that reflect the different ways members want to experience YWLC. Let’s Discover is a curated email series that offers a self-paced introduction to YWLC’s four pillars (Leadership, Mentorship, Social Impact, and Networking) so members can learn and reflect in their own time. Let’s Explore is a brand-new event series that brings a new in-person format. Each Let’s Explore session delves into our shared values and “whys” through activities and conversations that allow members to sample everything from giving back to professional development. Of course, YWLC’s twice-yearly TGIT Welcome Socials remain a fun, easy way to meet fellow new members and chat with Exco and other members in a relaxed dinner setting.
Director of Member Engagement – Evonne
How do you tailor engagement efforts to ensure all members feel included and valued?
Evonne: Our engagement strategy is intentionally focused on active members, those who’ve already taken the first step to get involved and are now looking for meaningful ways to stay connected and grow within the community. For us, it’s about deepening that sense of belonging and ensuring members continue to feel valued throughout their journey with YWLC. We take a member-first approach by actively listening to event feedback, engaging in informal chats, and observing participation patterns to understand what resonates with our members. Not everyone connects in the same way, so we offer a variety of touchpoints that cater to different engagement styles. This year, we’re working more closely within subcommittees to ensure our events are truly intersectional. This means making space for both new and existing members, as well as catering to overlapping intentions and needs across subcommittees. My approach is centred on empathy, adaptability, and relevancy, allowing us to create inclusive experiences that truly resonate with all members.
What are some exciting initiatives that members can look forward to to get connected to other members and grow as a community?
Evonne: Some exciting initiatives members can look forward to include a range of thoughtfully designed programs aimed at fostering genuine connection and personal growth within the community. We are proud to have our Member Circles, which are ground-up, interest-based initiatives led by our Member Circle Leads. These circles offer casual and organic opportunities for members to connect over shared passions and lived experiences, empowering them to take ownership of their engagement journey and foster authentic community connections.
We also offer smaller-scale events, such as Let’s Talk, which provide safe and honest spaces for deeper conversations on topics that matter. These sessions help members build trust and understanding. Look out for one this November, where our YWLC member will share her experiences working abroad! Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to launch the Let’s Connect Peer Meet, Grow and Share workshop series, a refreshed and more intentional version of the Peer Mentorship Programme. This initiative is designed to facilitate meaningful peer meetups by grouping members for collaborative sharing and learning. Together, these initiatives create multiple pathways for members to engage, grow, and build lasting relationships within YWLC.
The Road Ahead: Connection & Growth
Looking beyond, what are your hopes for YWLC members and the community experience?
Abigail: I hope every member feels like YWLC is a place where they can truly find their footing, whether that means building confidence, discovering new interests, or forming lasting friendships that extend beyond the event. When I think about the community experience, I want it to feel intentional and meaningful. It should not be a series of disconnected activities but a journey that helps members see what YWLC has to offer and where they might want to get more involved.
I hope that every member, whether new or long-standing, can find their own way to feel connected, supported, and inspired, and leave feeling like YWLC has given them something meaningful at every stage.
Evonne: I hope that every member finds their place at YWLC, a space where they can be their authentic selves, grow, and thrive. As the Member Engagement team, we see ourselves as the bridge that helps members build meaningful connections and feel a true sense of belonging.
We want engagement to feel natural and rewarding, not just another event to attend. Our goal is to create experiences that inspire, support, and connect, both personally and professionally. More than just a network, YWLC should be a vibrant community that empowers women to grow, lead, and uplift one another.
Personally, I’m constantly inspired by the friendships I’ve built here. They push me to grow, and I hope every member finds that same spark through the people they meet in this community.
Yuxin: I hope YWLC remains a welcoming space where driven, growth-oriented women can find belonging while inspiring and being inspired by one another as they grow, thrive, make an impact, and enjoy the journey together.
