Pay-It-Forward (PIF) Mentorship Programme Opening Ceremony

The YWLC 2025 Pay-It-Forward (PIF) Mentorship Programme kicked off its ninth cycle on April 12th at the Ernst & Young (EY) office, with enthusiasm filling the air. This year's inspiring theme, "Rise and Thrive -- Elevate Together," captures the program's spirit of collective growth and mutual support. The program brings together over 40 mentees from ITE College Central and the International Women's Forum (IWF) Singapore for a transformative six-month mentorship journey.

The day began with a buzz of activity as mentors and mentees connected with their Tribes - small supportive communities that will journey together throughout the program. Dr. Chong Yoke Sin, International Women's Forum Edugrant Chairperson, set a warm and encouraging tone with her opening address. She shared her personal story of navigating career challenges without formal mentorship, which drove home IWF's passionate commitment to supporting young women through both scholarships and meaningful mentorship connections.

Panel Discussion: Mentor-Mentee Sharing

The energy continued with an engaging panel discussion moderated by Sara Koruthu, bringing together two past mentors, Celine Liow and Shin Mun Ng, who shared the stage with past mentees Nur Hazira, Cheryl Soong, and Eva Sofia. The conversation delved into building trust and rapport in mentorship relationships, with past mentors emphasizing the importance of clear goals and genuine investment in the relationship. The former mentees shared how having an open, non-judgmental space helped them overcome initial hesitation and build confidence. The panel highlighted that successful mentorship goes beyond career guidance – it's about forming meaningful connections where both parties learn and grow together. A key takeaway was that mentors aren't expected to have all the answers; rather, their role is to provide support, ask thoughtful questions, and sometimes connect mentees with broader networks.

Building Connections Among Mentors and Mentees

After some fun ice-breaker activities that had everyone laughing and chatting, the program moved into focused orientation sessions for both mentors and mentees. The sessions provided practical guidance on making the most of the mentorship journey ahead. These orientations were crucial in setting expectations and addressing questions from both sides.

Participants received valuable insights on building strong mentor-mentee relationships, from establishing open communication channels to creating meaningful goals together. The sessions emphasized that while each mentorship journey is unique, success often comes from being proactive, maintaining regular contact, and approaching the relationship with authenticity and openness.

Closing: Charting the Journey Ahead

The day culminated in an intimate reflection session where mentor-mentee pairs gathered within their Tribes, guided by their PIF program workbooks. These small group discussions created a perfect setting for pairs to start building rapport, share expectations, and set initial goals for their time together. The room buzzed with energy as conversations flowed naturally, marking a promising start to the six-month journey ahead.

Organising committee members - Joelene Wo, Sarah Seet, Sara Koruthu, Maria Elva Lanovia, Charmaine Ng, Chua Khai Shing, Christabel Leong, Krithika Balasubramaniam