The first agenda on the White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development? Legislation introducing workplace fairness. The situation for women is improving, albeit slowly, due to support groups. The Young Women’s Leadership Connection (YWLC) is one such organisation.
Having joined it in 2017, Wong leads the organisation’s 12-member executive committee that manages operations and strategic growth. Over 40 events catering to a wide range of interests and needs are held by the YWLC every year. They span 12 key initiatives, including three launched within the past year.
Besides running a flagship Mentorship Programme, it works with corporate partners to gather valuable learning and development content for its members. “By doing so, we ensure that everyone, regardless of whether they work in an MNC or SME, or whether they are just starting out or returning to work, has access to such growth opportunities,” says Wong. “To us, that is equity.”
A crucial aspect of the YWLC is that it promotes giving back to society. The Pay-It-Forward Mentorship Programme, for example, urges past and present members to mentor women identified by community partners.
“We are also serious about community building. For instance, through our members’ circles, we facilitate the connection of members with shared backgrounds or interests.”
Kelley Wong on building connections between like-minded individuals
The nine-month Mentorship Programme selects mentees based on their willingness to learn, leadership potential, compassion towards society, and level of commitment. “We started this back during the pandemic by planting a Mummies Circle and an Entrepreneurs Circle. From there, members have gone on to form a Fitness Circle, Sustainability Circle, STEM Circle, and soon, a Wellness Circle,” she continues.
An overwhelming number of applicants sign up each year, but due to resource constraints, many applicants are turned away. According to Wong, this is a positive problem. It indicates that women still have a strong and growing need for mentorship.
Selected mentees are encouraged to engage in regular one-on-one sessions with their mentors. Through these personalised interactions, they get guidance and support tailored to their individualised goals. The impact extends beyond its duration as mentor-mentee pairs often maintain longlasting relationships.
Asked about the challenges of leading the YWLC, Wong shares that it requires active listening, relationship building, and understanding what motivates people to effectively match their service with the organisation’s needs. “However,” Wong adds, “the passion and dedication of our volunteers drive us forward and create a strong foundation for continued success.”
And what of the challenges women in general face? She empathises, “There are so many!” But she also shares two pressing concerns. According to the Reykjavik Index for Leadership 2022/2023, women are prejudiced against women leaders, and men even more so. “Only about 30 percent of respondents are comfortable with a woman being the head of government, a minister or CEO of a major company or SME.”
Wong hopes that people will change their minds regarding outdated gender stereotypes and is eager to help push for significant progress.
The other issue is women putting others ahead of themselves. “This often stems from societal expectations, gender roles, and cultural conditioning. While empathy and caring for others are positive traits, when taken to the extreme, they can lead to neglecting one’s own needs and well-being.”
Thanks to Kelley Wong and the YWLC, the wheel of progress is turning slowly but steadily. It takes an individual to voice the problem, but a village to push for a solution.
Producer: Adora Wong
Art Direction: Ed Harland
Videography: Isaku Lim and Zachary Chia
Photography: Cher Him
Photography Assistant: May Chong
Styling: Chia Wei Choong
Hair & Makeup: Aung Apichai
