Kicking Off the 2026/2027 Cohort of the YWLC Mentorship Programme!
- Young Women's Leadership Connection
- Aug 23
- 4 min read
"Mentorship is like putting on a new lens. Suddenly, you see further, think bigger, and notice possibilities that were invisible before… And that’s exactly what I’m looking forward to on this journey.”
— Shin, Mentee, 2026/2027 Cohort
On 15 August 2026, the Young Women’s Leadership Connection (YWLC) officially launched its 2026/2027 Mentorship Programme at the Singapore Sustainability Academy. This marks YWLC’s largest cohort to date, bringing together 79 mentees (+12.9% YoY) and 65 mentors (+10% YoY) for a purposeful, nine-month developmental journey.
Kaela Montgomery, Director of Mentorship, gave an overview of the programme structure and its mission: for every mentee to engage meaningfully with their mentor and the wider YWLC community; grow into a well-rounded leader; and contribute to the betterment of society. This was followed by a fireside chat with mentors and a goal-setting workshop.
Fireside Chat: How to Build a Meaningful Mentorship Journey
“How many of you believe a mentorship's success depends just as much on the mentee as on the mentor?”
A room full of instantly raised hands set the tone. For first-time mentee Felicia, ownership is front of mind: “I want to make good use of my mentor's time by being open to learning, making the most of their guidance, and conducting myself professionally rather than treating the interaction too casually.”
The fireside chat that followed offered warm encouragement on overcoming imposter syndrome and building trust. The discussion featured Guest-of-Honour Ms Gan Siow Huang (Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Trade and Industry, and YWLC mentor since 2014) and Yolyn Ang (Vice President of Knowledge and Information Partnerships, Google), and was moderated by Claryce Chua (Mentorship Subcommittee Member and first-time mentee).
Build a Partnership Rooted in Courage and Trust.
MOS Gan urged mentees to approach the relationship with an open mind and heart, and to view mentors as their sounding board, confidant, and cheerleader. She encouraged mentees to bring their raw questions and unique perspectives to the table, noting that mentors also derive joy from learning from their mentees and celebrating milestones together long after the formal cycle ends.
Lean into the "Adult-to-Adult" Dynamic
Mentor Yolyn Ang shared a communication framework she has leaned on throughout her career: every conversation operates within a parent, child, or adult dynamic. "Choose to show up as an adult speaking to another adult," Yolyn advised. "Bring the value that only you can offer instead of deferring simply because you are the junior party. That is how you bring your whole self into the room."
Welcome Blunt interventions
When asked about her own most memorable mentoring experience, Yolyn recalled a time early in her Google career when a family medical emergency led her to consider quitting. She turned to a trusted senior mentor who told her plainly: "Get a grip, you don’t need to do that." That blunt, well-timed intervention stayed with her; she didn't quit, and things worked out. It was a reminder that impactful mentorship moments are often born from radical candor and deep trust.
Starting SMART: Ownership and Action
Mentees mapping their goals using the Plan SMART, Act SMART Framework with a Mentor within each group
To transition inspiration into action, the cohort mapped out their goals using the Plan SMART, Act SMART framework. The model challenged pairs to:
Set expectations
Move with intention
Ask boldly
Reflect and recap
Transform learnings into impact
Second-time mentee She-Ler shared how her previous mentor, Janet Ang, introduced her to design thinking. To make the most of that advice, She-Ler built a habit of testing her mentor’s suggestions in real life and reporting back on the outcomes. The panellists agreed with this approach, noting that it perfectly captures the "Transform" element: "Advice that gets tested against real life, rather than just discussed, is what builds rapid learning and deep trust."
Mentorship isn't always smooth sailing from day one. Second-time mentee Joey recalled feeling misaligned with her mentor early in her first cycle. Her solution: a straightforward, transparent conversation about how they wanted the relationship to progress. "The fireside chat really resonated," Joey reflected. "Particularly around how we're ultimately all human, vulnerable, and imperfect, navigating womanhood together."
Purposeful impact at the core: for People and Planet
Mentorship Commencement Ceremony held at CDL's Singapore Sustainability Academy, hosted by Mentor Esther An
For the past two years, the YWLC Mentorship Programme has intentionally kicked off at the City Development Limited’s Singapore Sustainability Academy (SSA) to anchor our leadership journey in social and environmental change-making. A big thank you to our Mentor, Esther An, for hosting the YWLC community once again!
The Nine-Month Roadmap Ahead
To complement the core one-on-one relationships, the YWLC Mentorship Committee has curated an impactful ecosystem of events over the next nine months, including:
People with Purpose Day: Mentors and mentees unite to tackle social causes and influence systemic change.
Masterclasses & Networking Events: Designed to foster holistic professional and personal growth.
Community Days: Hands-on opportunities to bond while volunteering for social and environmental causes.
New to this year’s cycle is the Impact Lab, —an extended capstone track. Mentees will collaborate in teams alongside mentors to solve real-world challenge statements, directly scaling YWLC’s mission to contribute to the betterment of society.
Watch this space to see the impact unfold! 🚀
Event Wrap-Up & Acknowledgements
Mentor Speakers & Workshop Facilitators: MOS Gan Siow Huang, Yolyn Ang, Esther An, Dr Malika Meghjani, Ong Tun Kim, Elaine Cheung, Monica Bhatia, Ng Ling Ling, Dawn Lim, Noorfarahin Ahmad, Sonia Gupta, Sharon Wong, Grace Kerrison, Evonne Fouesnant, Karen Ong, Harmin Kaur, Novita Jong.
Event Partners: City Developments Limited (CDL)
Organising Team (Mentorship Subcommittee): Kaela Montgomery (Director), Farah Liyana Normal (Deputy Director), She-Ler Goh (Engagement Lead), Rebecca Kumar (Experience Lead), Claryce Chua (Moderator), Natalie Seow (Emcee), Joyce Chua, Eunice Goh, Genin Koh, Althea Chen, Peggy Deng, Celine Liow, Denise Chong, Naomi Lizaso, Nicole Yap.
