Mentorship Masterclass #2: Purpose as Your Starting Point
- Young Women's Leadership Connection
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
On Saturday, the April 11th 2026 57 mentees from the 2025/2026 YWLC Mentorship Programme gathered at the Grab HQ for their second masterclass in this year’s mentorship curriculum.
The masterclass, themed “Purpose as Your Starting Point”, brought together an esteemed panel of senior women leaders who have each forged impactful paths in their own right. Through candid sharing and diverse perspectives, they unpacked what purpose means across different life stages and career journeys.
The session was followed by a 90-minute interactive workshop, where participants reflected, explored, and took their first steps towards defining their own sense of purpose.
Opening Perspectives: Purpose in Practice
In her opening remarks, Chin Yin Ong, Chief Organisation Capability Officer at Grab, shared her firsthand experience applying a purpose-driven framework with Grab’s leadership team, alongside her own journey of discovering what purpose means to her.
She reminded participants that external motivators are finite and it is intrinsic purpose and value that sustains. To her, purpose extends beyond personal ambition; it lies in how she uplifts those around her and how her work at Grab continues to contribute to underserved communities.
Chin Yin then sparked the room and set the stage for discussions ahead with a timely reminder that “the most important things in life are often the hardest to measure, yet the most meaningful to pursue”.
Panel Conversation: Purpose, Brand, Presence
Moderated by Genin Koh from the YWLC Mentorship sub-committee, the panel brought together Shashikala Shanmugasundaram (Head, Group Development Management, Southeast Asia, Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd), Harmin Kaur (Founder & CEO, Stellaire) and Adele Hung (Global Marketing Director, GSK) for a candid and deeply personal discussion on purpose, pivots, personal branding and staying relevant.
On their personal journeys, all three speakers reflected on non-linear paths shaped by bold pivots and continuous transformation. Whether guided by a clear sense of purpose or evolving priorities, they emphasised learning through experience, taking risks, and ultimately seeking to create impact beyond themselves.
On building and pivoting a personal brand, the panel highlighted the importance of authenticity. Shashi acknowledged that doubt is part of the process, emphasising the need for self-respect, self-care and grounding validation within oneself. Harmin underscored that credibility must back any form of branding as any misalignment will surface quickly. Adele concluded with a timely perspective that in an increasingly AI-saturated content landscape, standing out is less about volume and more about honest, thoughtful expression.
On staying relevant through pivots or transitions, the conversation centred on resilience and self-renewal. The panelists encouraged participants to care for one’s body, mind, and soul; taking time to recalibrate and recognising that you are never building from scratch - but building on what you already have. While external circumstances may change, anchoring in one’s core purpose provides stability and direction.
The discussion reinforced that purpose is not fixed, but something shaped over time through reflection, action and the courage to keep evolving.
“Hearing from the panellists that one’s purpose in life changes but our core values don’t change (only the operating context does), has helped me to view my own career journey across different roles and industries with a clearer lens. I’ve always felt that I was the same core person throughout even as I’ve also grown and adapted along the way. Additionally, having recently given birth to my first child, I know I have to be mentally prepared for people labelling me as a mum who may not be as ambitious in my career or as willing to go the extra mile etc. This session showed me that the right leaders (that I’m looking for) will recognise real talent and contribution, and ultimately I need to validate myself in owning my skills and value instead of seeking validation from others.”
- Kelly Ong, Mentee 2025/2026
Workshop: Finding Your Purpose
The morning concluded with an applied session led by Anser Aly, Co-founder and Managing Partner of The Growth Labs.
Through a specially adapted 90-minute workshop, Anser guided participants to begin uncovering their purpose. Using reflective prompts and guided peer reflection, participants thought about what their eight-year-old self would want them to do more of, and what their eighty-year-old self would encourage them to start. The session offered a meaningful pause for introspection, equipping participants to continue the journey of discovery on their own.
“I found the workshop enlightening because it prompted me to think about questions I have been asking myself for quite some time. I guess that is a pretty part and parcel of being in your quarter life, when woes of uncertainty hit you and you continually ask yourself, 'What is my purpose?'. I am grateful I had the opportunity to sit down, reflect and ponder on the themes of the workshop, and the non-judgemental peer environment it was set in made so much more inspiring and emotionally safe.”
- Srika Nambiar, Mentee 2025/2026
YWLC extends our sincere thanks to Grab for co-hosting the event and providing an inspiring venue and invaluable support. We are also deeply grateful to our guest speaker, panellists and workshop facilitator for their time, insights and generosity in sharing their expertise with the community.
Author: Eunice
