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Demystifying Mentorship: Lessons, Connections, and Growth

Mentorship often begins with questions: What makes mentorship meaningful? What can we learn from one another, regardless of our stage in life?


These questions were explored at the recent YWLC Mentorship Information Session 2025, held in partnership with Accenture. Attendees had the opportunity to hear thoughtful reflections from mentors and mentees of the 2024/2025 Mentorship Programme cycle.


The session featured a fireside chat moderated by Kelly Ong, Lead Data Analyst at Dyson, and brought together a diverse panel of mentors and mentees:


  • Mentor Dr. Jade Kua, Founder of Jade Life & Wellness Coaching Academy, and her mentees Dayna Lee, Senior Financial Consultant at Prudential Assurance Company Singapore, and Felicia Foo, Relationship Manager at Bloomberg;

  • Mentor Sonia Gupta, Managing Director, Accenture (Global Data and AI), and her mentee Yuxin Seow, AI x Data Delivery Manager at Temus.


Together, they shared personal reflections on how mentorship has influenced their growth, principles, and approaches to leadership in the workplace and beyond. 



The fireside discussion opened with a fun question: "What is a book, movie, or piece of music that has recently resonated with you?" This brought out each panelist’s unique interests and leadership styles. Sonia shared that the books Hidden Potential by Adam Grant and The Barefoot Coach by Paddy Upton came to mind, as both center on unleashing individual potential—though not without the courage and curiosity to grow. Felicia described how the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines illustrates the theme of mentorship by showing how each generation improves based on lessons learned from their “mother,” following in the footsteps of those who led by example.

The conversation went on to unpack each mentor-mentee pair’s journey over the nine-month programme, revealing three key themes:


  • Mentorship thrives in informal, generous spaces. Sharing meals at cafés or in homes, engaging in heartfelt conversations, and connecting personal communities foster deeper trust, growth, and more natural dialogue.

  • Context drives connection. Understanding a person’s broader life experiences—whether in leadership, parenting, or career pivots—enables more empathetic and meaningful conversations about growth, challenges, and goals.

  • The relationship is mutual. Mentors shared that they, too, learned from their mentees—through their commitment to growth, the richness of intergenerational dialogue, and the joy of giving back to the next generation.


The panelists also highlighted what makes the YWLC Flagship Mentorship Programme unique—setting it apart from other structured or traditional mentorship models. At YWLC, mentorship is community-driven. Beyond one-on-one guidance, the programme offers access to peer networks, masterclasses with guest speakers, and collaborations with partners such as The Woke Salaryman and Growthbeans. These cover a broad range of topics from leadership branding to financial planning. Mentees also benefit from exposure to diverse leadership and communication styles through interactions with senior figures and role models across industries.


With intention and generosity from both mentors and mentees, mentorship at YWLC becomes more than a developmental tool—it becomes a multi-generational community of learning.


As the current cycle draws to a close, panelists reflected on the actions and habits that shaped their journey: preparing discussion topics in advance, reflecting after each session, and approaching every conversation with openness and humility.


Their final advice to prospective applicants? Be open-minded, adaptable, and ready to grow beyond expectations.


As the session concluded, one truth stood out: mentorship is not defined by hierarchy, but by shared presence. Through conversations, context, and curiosity, the YWLC Mentorship Programme continues to shape leaders who are not only capable, but also grounded in purpose.



Applications for the YWLC Mentorship Programme 2025/2026 are now open

For young female leaders seeking personal growth, professional insight, and meaningful connections, the YWLC Mentorship Programme 2025/2026 is currently accepting applications until 18 May 2025. Do not miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with others. 


Here’s some resources to get you started on your application: 


All set and ready? 👉 Click here to apply. The deadline for applications closes on 18 May 2025. 



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