Leading with Purpose: Empowering Women to Grow, Give Back, and Lead with Heart
- Young Women's Leadership Connection
- 37 minutes ago
- 7 min read
At YWLC, leadership is not just about titles; it’s about growth, service, and community. Through the collective work of the Social Impact, Mentorship, and Leadership Development subcommittees in YWLC, members are empowered to discover their purpose, strengthen their voice, and create meaningful change.
From nurturing inclusive leadership and fostering transformative mentor–mentee relationships to equipping women with lifelong leadership skills, the three directors under the Programmes pillar of the 9th Executive Committee - Nyx Chong (Director of Social Impact), Kaela Montgomery (Director of Mentorship), and Maxine Mak (Director of Leadership Development) - share how YWLC continues to shape a generation of women who lead with compassion, clarity, and conviction.
What are some of the goals and priorities for your subcommittee, and what impact do you hope to create for members?
Nyx: My hope for the Social Impact (SI) subcommittee is to become a place where members embody inclusive, compassionate and nurturing leadership. I hope that every member in this subcommittee learns to listen to and act with their hearts. Everyone has the ability to make an impact by doing small things with great love.
In general, SI programmes aim to uplift communities of women and children through meaningful engagement - whether through befriending, mentorship, or panel/workshop opportunities mindfully created by the subcommittee.
SI programmes are organised based on the target audience and offerings. The three big programmes of SI include:
100 Wishes aims to befriend shelter women and children and offer support through providing workshops on relevant topics (e.g. scam prevention, resume coaching, etc.); 100 Wishes conducts activities about once a quarter.
Pay-it-forward (PIF) is a structured 6-month mentorship programme that pairs YWLC members with a mentee transitioning into the workforce, typically aged between 17-21 years old.
Female and Fearless (F&F) is a series of two workshops (digital and confidence) aimed to empower young women aged 14-17 years old to find their passions and discover themselves.
This year, we look forward to several advancements to our current initiatives:
100 Wishes is experimenting with a new concept called the “SI Academy”, which aims to create toolkits and resources for volunteering. This will serve as the foundation for enabling YWLC members to volunteer more broadly with future partners.
PIF is planning a milestone celebration in 2026 to mark its 10th cycle.
F&F hopes to expand the number of community partners it collaborates with and aims to continue empowering young women in its 8th programme cycle run in 2026.
Kaela: As Mentorship Director, my purpose is to empower every YWLC mentee to have an engaging mentorship journey, develop into well-rounded, future-ready leaders, and contribute to the betterment of society.
Our subcommittee’s goals align closely with that purpose, which is to nurture a generation of women who lead with clarity, compassion, and conviction — women who not only grow as individuals, but also uplift others and create lasting positive change in their communities.
First, we aim to foster meaningful and sustained mentor–mentee relationships that go beyond surface-level advice: relationships that encourage self-discovery, confidence, and growth. This year, we kicked off with a goal-coaching session at Commencement, created personal mentee journals, and institutionalised mid-cycle check-ins to support our mentees’ ongoing journeys.
Second, we are focused on preparing our mentees for the evolving future of work — from navigating AI and sustainability trends to building confidence as authentic, inclusive leaders who can thrive in dynamic and diverse environments.
Third, we are cultivating a strong sense of community, one that extends into bonding over purpose and collective social impact. Through our initiatives, we encourage mentees to give back, volunteer, and contribute their time and talents to causes that advance gender equity and societal progress.
Within the subcommittee, I also strive to create leadership opportunities for my team members; empowering them to take ownership of projects, lead confidently, and grow through experience. At the same time, I want to bring joy and fun as we work together and appreciate each other's diverse backgrounds and experiences!
Maxine: Our goal in the Leadership Development subcommittee is to continue creating meaningful, high-quality experiences that spark growth across diverse topics and industries. Whether you are a fresh graduate finding your voice, a first-time manager stepping into new responsibilities, or a mum navigating leadership in all its forms, we want you to feel seen, inspired, and equipped to grow.
Beyond our events, we are deepening our thought leadership through online content such as podcasts and articles, giving members the opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with ideas anytime, anywhere. We also remain grounded in our Leadership Competency Framework as our north star, ensuring every conversation we curate strengthens the core skills of leading yourself and others.
Ultimately, my hope is for every member who engages our work to walk away with greater clarity, a sense of community and support, and the confidence to take bold, intentional steps in their leadership journey, both within YWLC and beyond.
Director of Social Impact – Nyx
For members considering joining Social Impact events or the subcommittee, what makes the experience both exciting and rewarding? How can contributing to causes beyond ourselves shape our growth as leaders?
Nyx: I believe that part of the human experience is finding meaning and purpose in life. This can be explored through personal pursuits or through interactions with our environment and others. Being part of SI has taught me that human experiences, even within a narrow context like Singapore, can vary drastically. I am constantly humbled and inspired by my SI subcommittee members and our event participants – they demonstrated resilience, grit, and humanity.
By dedicating my time to serving others, I have the rare opportunity to experience life through a diversity of lenses. This helps me ground my reality and appreciate the gifts and circumstances I have been given. It provides me with the strength and clarity to shape the leader I aspire to be.
Director of Mentorship – Kaela
Could you share about the importance of mentorship here at YWLC, and what makes it such a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth for both mentors and mentees?
Kaela: Mentorship has always been at the heart of YWLC; it is what connects our mission to our members in the most personal and impactful way. At its core, the YWLC mentorship programme is about women supporting women, with our experienced, accomplished women mentors lifting up the next generation of women leaders.
For our mentees, it is an opportunity to gain guidance, clarity, and confidence from accomplished women who have paved the way before them. They learn how to navigate their careers, lead with authenticity, and find their own voice. But what is truly special is that the learning goes both ways. Many mentors tell us they feel energised and inspired by their mentees’ curiosity, optimism, and fresh perspectives.
Another unique aspect of YWLC’s programme is the lasting bonds that form. Even after the formal mentorship cycle ends, many mentors and mentees stay closely connected; continuing to support, advise, and celebrate one another through different life and career stages.
Mentorship at YWLC is also serves as a catalyst for the community — it bridges generations of women leaders, fosters empathy across industries, and reminds us that leadership is not a solo journey.
That is why we invest so deeply in curating meaningful mentor-mentee matches and experiences, and enhancing the programme elements to support their growth journey. Because every connection has the power to shape not just one woman’s journey, but the collective future of women leaders rising together.
Director of Leadership Development – Maxine
What defines a leader at YWLC, and how can our programmes help members embody these qualities to make a meaningful impact?
Maxine: A leader at YWLC is someone who first learns to lead themselves before leading others. Our Leadership Development subcommittee embodies this belief through the Leadership Competency Framework, our north star for what it means to be a leader in YWLC.
The framework defines 11 core competencies across two dimensions, Leading Self and Leading Others.
Personally, I believe leadership begins with self-awareness and self-management, understanding your values, triggers, and strengths, and using that awareness to act intentionally. Through our programmes and initiatives, we strive to help members internalise these qualities, enabling them to create meaningful impact in their teams, communities, and personal journeys.
Where Leadership Begins - and Continues to Grow
What’s one way you hope members will continue to grow, give back, or inspire others through YWLC?
Nyx: I believe that being present and seeking authentic connection are simple ways any YWLC member can give back to and with the community.
By listening fully and holding space for others, one can create impact by making someone feel truly seen and appreciated.
Kaela: I hope every member recognises how valuable and special it is to be part of a community like YWLC - one where women genuinely champion one another, share openly, and grow together.
My biggest encouragement is to seize the opportunity: show up, connect deeply, and make the most of what this network offers. The relationships and networks you build today will become invaluable as you grow into the leaders of tomorrow, offering support, collaboration, and inspiration along every stage of your journey.
And as you grow, remember to pay it forward — mentor others, give back, and help open doors for the next generation of women leaders.
Maxine: From my own experience, what you invest into YWLC — your time, ideas, and energy — is often what you gain in growth, connection, and fulfilment.
Whether it is sharing a personal reflection at an event, organising an initiative, or connecting others to helpful resources, generosity creates a ripple effect. When we give openly and intentionally, we inspire others to do the same. So, I invite you to take one small step outside your comfort zone today.
