The Deputy Director (DD) Scheme was conceptualised in 2021 and aims to continue building the pipeline of leadership at YWLC. DDs are nominated by the Exco for an annual term.
Embark on a journey to discover the passionate minds steering the ship at Young Women's Leadership Connection (YWLC). In this exclusive feature, we delve into the roles and responsibilities of the Deputy Directors, the ladies who play a crucial role in assisting Exco Directors to propel their vision for YWLC into reality.
Join us as we unravel the stories of Eunice, Rachel, Mei Yu, and Tiffany, gaining a deeper understanding of their contributions, collaborative endeavours, and strategic plans for the future. Discover how they assist Exco Directors in aligning subcommittee initiatives with YWLC's broader objectives, reinforcing their vital roles at YWLC.
1. As a deputy director, you play a crucial role in executing the vision of YWLC. Can you elaborate on how you serve as the deputy director for your subcommittee under your guidance and how this role contributes to the overall success of YWLC?
Eunice Lee - Deputy Director for Strategy
I play a pivotal part in supporting the director with administration, strategy formulation, and execution. My focus is on long-term planning with members' buy-in, ensuring transparent communication of plans to gather valuable member insights. I actively facilitate community engagement and nurture a feedback-driven culture, striving to create a strong sense of belonging and ensuring that members' opinions are not only heard but also acted upon. Additionally, I champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, working to create an environment where every member feels valued and heard. This involves setting a precedent for respectful interactions and fostering openness to change within our community.
In essence, my role extends beyond merely supporting the director; it involves being a critical link between leadership and members, effectively communicating and implementing YWLC's vision and strategies while fostering an inclusive, respectful, and forward-thinking community.
Jamie Low - Deputy Director for Mentorship
I collaborate with Caren, the Director of Mentorship, and the mentorship subcommittee team to engage the mentees in meaningful conversations throughout the flagship 9-month programme and equip them with the skills and insights for professional and personal development. This programme is an avenue for driven individuals to connect with a broadened professional network, share knowledge and exchange insights within an inclusive community, and to receive guidance and mentorship through curated engagements and workshops. The programme is anchored with focus on bringing to table topics and themes that will give mentees the tools to be ahead of the game.
Mei Yu - Deputy Director for Marketing Communications
I serve as the linchpin for our subcommittee, overseeing the strategic implementation of marketing initiatives that align with YWLC's vision. My role involves running multiple work streams such as the upcoming podcast series, coordinating key event coverage, and managing our online presence to bolster brand visibility. By collaborating closely with my team and other subcommittees, I contribute to building an engaging brand image, creating conversations which connect YWLC community and effectively amplifying YWLC leadership. Through my involvement in decision-making processes, I ensure that our marketing strategies not only showcase creativity and engagement but also remain tightly integrated with the broader organisational goals, thus playing a vital role in the overall success of YWLC.
Rachel Lee - Deputy Director for Member Engagement
I work closely with my director – Urmila on various initiatives to form a closely knit community and create a sense of belonging, while providing members with opportunities to advance both personally and professionally. There are 2 workstreams that I will be more focused on in the coming months – Peer Mentorship Programme (PMP) and Lifecycle Strategy. PMP is a 9-month programme that facilitates lateral group mentorship among members. As we are approaching the end of our pilot run, we are starting to prepare for our next cycle where I will take on a more active role in it as well. For Lifecycle Strategy, the team is currently in its preliminary planning and research phase, where our ultimate goal is to produce a recommendation paper on how we can better cater to a member’s experience through their time in YWLC. Besides that, I have also been involved in the planning of new initiatives that the Member Engagement team has just launched or is planning to launch in the coming months!
Tiffany Choo - Deputy Director for Partnerships
I support our Director in forging and nurturing strategic relationships crucial to YWLC's mission. My role involves working closely with our partners, understanding their needs and aligning them with YWLC’s objectives. This alignment is key to executing the vision of our subcommittee and, by extension, YWLC. I hope that our partnerships are effective and mutually beneficial. My role contributes to the overall success of YWLC by ensuring the smooth implementation of our partnership strategies, enabling us to make a tangible impact in empowering women in leadership.
2. Deputy directors are integral in partnering with directors to bring YWLC’s vision to life. How do you collaborate with your director to ensure seamless coordination between the broader YWLC goals and the specific initiatives led by subcommittee members? Can you share an example that illustrates the effectiveness of this partnership?
Eunice Lee - Deputy Director for Strategy
In my collaborative efforts with the director, our partnership is characterised by a fluid and strategic synergy. Serving as a key ally, I contribute an additional perspective in brainstorming and planning sessions, ensuring that our initiatives are both innovative and aligned with the diverse needs of our members. Acting as a bridge between the subcommittee and YWLC's overarching vision, I integrate valuable grassroots insights with strategic objectives, facilitating an effective and harmonious approach to achieving our goals.
An exemplification of this collaboration is evident in our successful initiative to revamp YWLC’s job board. In this project, I played a crucial role as a conduit between the director's vision and the subcommittee's execution, establishing key milestones and providing clear direction. This collaborative approach not only managed expectations but also ensured the initiative's alignment with our strategic goals. To reinforce and standardise this alignment process, the Strategy Subcommittee has introduced a work stream specifically guiding subcommittees in evaluating and measuring the success of their initiatives against YWLC’s overarching objectives, promoting consistency across projects and a commitment to strategic excellence.
Jamie Low - Deputy Director for Mentorship
We maintain open dialogue and have a clear alignment in terms of vision, the strategy and the outcome that we would like for the mentorship programme. We are in regular engagements and seek feedback from the mentorship subcommittee and we also seek to understand from the ground on the themes and the areas that are relevant. I think to a certain extent our diverse work spheres allow us to complement each other in terms of views, and this collaboration builds depth to the mentorship programme. The success of the recent 17 February 2024 workshop, which focused on the themes of leadership and balance, was the fruition of the dedication that we have put in together with the mentorship subcommittee team.
Mei Yu - Deputy Director for Marketing Communications
Having a close collaboration with Vivian is essential for aligning our subcommittee's initiatives with the broader goals of YWLC. Regular communication and monthly sessions with our members are key elements of our partnership, allowing us to ensure that our marketing efforts complement and amplify the overall YWLC’s vision. We also share our workload such that we can run our communication channels effectively with the lean resources we have. Our new initiatives such as biweekly sharing via YWLC Community Telegram channel and key event coverage saw Vivian and I work closely to identify areas to strengthen our communication strategies and synchronise our efforts for respective work streams to ensure optimal use of our team resources.
Rachel Lee - Deputy Director for Member Engagement
Urmila and I brainstorm ideas together and evaluate how we can aim to create a positive impact on our participants. Most recently, we have been working very closely to plan for the upcoming YWLC Carnival at the end of the month. We have been bouncing ideas off each other and brainstorming what we can do better to make the experience more fulfilling and engaging for our members. I think what works really well between us is that we communicate very openly and always show our support for one another – and I believe that makes sharing ideas with each other even easier. I am excited to work with Urmila more and cannot wait for the upcoming new events we have been planning together!
Tiffany Choo - Deputy Director for Partnerships
Collaboration with my Director is central to bringing YWLC's vision to life. I act as a bridge between our Director's strategic direction and the subcommittee's execution of initiatives. For example, our director and I led a team of subcommittee members to create a framework for our partners. This framework sets in stone how YWLC works with our partners depending on our relationships. My role ensures that the broader goals of YWLC are seamlessly integrated into our subcommittee's activities.
3. Looking ahead, what strategic plans are you working on with the Exco Directors to ensure the success of the subcommittee? How do these plans align with the broader objectives of YWLC, and how will they reinforce your role in supporting YWLC’s mission?
Eunice Lee - Deputy Director for Strategy
Our strategic focus is twofold: enhancing the subcommittee's effectiveness and aligning initiatives with the broader goals of YWLC. A key element in our plan involves fostering a tight-knit community. As subcommittee members engage in planning and executing events, they gain valuable networking opportunities, leadership development, and cross-subcommittee support. Additionally, we recently organised a YWLC carnival, designed to celebrate member successes, inform about upcoming initiatives, and provide a platform for networking. These endeavours align with our overarching goal of cultivating a strong sense of belonging and community within YWLC.
Another pivotal aspect of our strategic plan revolves around the creation of playbooks to elevate strategies and operations across all subcommittees. This initiative is essential for promoting sustainable practices, maintaining consistency, and enhancing overall efficiency within YWLC. By empowering members to take leadership roles, we aim to provide autonomy and growth opportunities in a supportive environment, contributing not only to their personal development but also fostering the emergence of future leaders within YWLC, in line with our commitment to advancing women in leadership. These meticulously crafted plans underscore my role as a supportive backbone, ensuring that our subcommittee not only meets but exceeds our set objectives.
Jamie Low - Deputy Director for Mentorship
I look forward to fostering an ecosystem that individuals can tap into for perspectives and insights, and curating a programme that nurtures and empowers individuals to strive towards their goals in life. In the mentorship programme, we connect each mentee to a mentor and the mentee is encouraged to engage the mentor for guidance and perspectives on matters. In the course of the mentorship cycle, workshops and sessions are held to connect the mentees with the broader network. These engagements provide a platform for individuals to cultivate allyships and is an inclusive space for dialogues, and I would like to build on that so that the mentorship goes beyond the 9-month cycle to one that is a lifelong journey with virtuous cycle to the community.
Mei Yu - Deputy Director for Marketing Communications
My strategic plans for the Marketing Communications subcommittee are centered around enhancing our online presence, expanding our reach, and fostering deeper engagement with YWLC members. We aim to leverage emerging digital platforms, employ data analytics for targeted outreach, and create compelling content that resonates with diverse demographics. These plans align seamlessly with YWLC's broader objectives of increasing visibility, community impact, and member involvement. By strategically integrating our marketing efforts with the overall organisational goals, we not only contribute to the growth of YWLC but also reinforce my role as the backbone supporting the mission. Our focus on effective communication, brand building, and collaborative initiatives will ensure that the Marketing Communications subcommittee remains a driving force behind YWLC's success, actively supporting and amplifying the voice of YWLC.
Rachel Lee - Deputy Director for Member Engagement
My focus is on fostering closer connections with our members and organizing events that contribute to their personal and professional journeys. Some upcoming initiatives include the "Let’s Talk" series, recently launched to provide a safe space for discussions on key topics like navigating transitions, work-life balance, relationships, and personal finance. We plan to make this a regular offering to empower members and foster a strong sense of belonging. Additionally, our "Lifecycle Strategy" involves delving into data to better understand how we can enhance the experience for our 300 active members from diverse backgrounds within YWLC. As we conclude the pilot run of our Professional Mentorship Program (PMP), we are reflecting on successes and areas for improvement while gearing up for the next run. I'm excited to witness members forging even closer bonds through group mentoring, reinforcing the collaborative spirit within our community.
Tiffany Choo - Deputy Director for Partnerships
Looking ahead, my strategic plan as the Deputy Director involves three key areas. First, operationalising our strategy for strengthening YWLC's network of partners, ensuring that our initiatives are well-supported and impactful. Second, I will focus on team development, creating an environment that fosters skill-building and collaboration. This will involve mentoring our team members, encouraging innovation and effective communication. Finally, I plan to enhance our subcommittee's contribution to YWLC by actively supporting cross-functional initiatives, thereby reinforcing the interconnectedness of our mission. These plans align with our broader objectives and highlight my role as a vital support system in YWLC's mission to empower women in leadership.
This article was co-authored by Eunice Lee, Jamie Low, Mei Yu, Rachel Lee, Tiffany Choo and edited by Mei Yu Lim.