Pay-it-Forward Mentorship Programme 2023: Igniting Potential with Personal Branding

In a world where personal branding has become a vital tool for career advancement and personal growth, The Young Women’s Leadership Connection (YWLC) in Singapore is taking the lead in empowering young women with a Masterclass in Personal Branding.

This event is a part of the YWLC Pay It Forward Mentorship Programme 2023, a six-month journey where our members unite to guide future female leaders through personalised mentorship and essential life skills workshops. At its heart, this program embodies our mission to inspire and uplift young women, foster profound connections and create a vibrant ecosystem of support.

In collaboration with partner organisations such as the International Women's Forum, ITE College East, and ITE College Central, YWLC identified over 60 mentees to join us on this journey of growth.

Personal Branding: What is it, and why do we need it? In essence, personal branding is about taking control of our narratives. It's about defining who we are, what we care about, and what we’re capable of achieving.

Understanding that our careers will be more than just a collection of achievements, but a tapestry of stories that weave our unique journeys, empowers young women to confidently chart their individual paths.

As such, YWLC brought together aspiring female leaders for two powerful sessions led by our esteemed guest speakers.

First up, Conquering your fear of the mic — with a dose of fun!

Here's a widely recognised fact: 75% of people fear public speaking more than they fear death. Now, that's a statistic that demands attention, and it certainly commanded our attention right here at YWLC.

Liesa, the President of the Toastmasters Club of Singapore, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting effective communication and public speaking, shared valuable insights on conquering the fear of public speaking in our first session. Her expertise served as a wellspring of inspiration for our mentees, igniting their enthusiasm for enhancing their communication skills. She provided practical frameworks that will not only boost their stage confidence but also empower them to shine on any platform.

Next up, the world is woven together by stories, and storytelling is the heartbeat of it all.

In the second session of our masterclass series, we had the privilege of being guided by none other than Peachy, armed with an audacious ambition to push against the devaluation of human potential in the age of automation and AI. Peachy, presently serving as the Masters Program Director at Hyper Island, boasts a diverse background that spans a thriving 25-year career in marketing communications, culminating as Chief Executive of Ogilvy & Mather Philippines, along with notable contributions to the academic sphere.

In our second session, Peachy harnessed her expertise to impart the art of storytelling. She introduced new approaches to using storytelling for personal branding. We’re crafting female leaders of tomorrow, one story at a time.

“Good speakers are born, but effective speakers are made.”

One key takeaway from the event resonated with participants, "Good speakers are born, but effective speakers are made." This insight underscores the event's core message - that personal branding, which encompasses effective communication and storytelling, is a skill that can be honed and developed over time.

The event buzzed with energy and enthusiasm. Our mentees actively engaged in partner and group interactive segments and we are heartened to have fostered a collaborative learning environment.

Our commitment to nurturing young female leaders This event, a masterclass in Personal Branding, stands as a shining example of their commitment to nurturing young women leaders. By empowering women with essential skills and knowledge, YWLC continues to pave the way for a brighter future where women can thrive in leadership roles and make their mark on the world. This event was not just a masterclass; it was an inspiring step forward in the journey towards personal and professional success for young women in Singapore.

The Pay-It-Forward Mentorship Programme 2023

YWLC’s PIF Mentorship Programme is a 6-month mentorship programme in partnership with IWF and ITE. YWLC members mentor young women from IWF and ITE, and mentor-mentee pairs learn together and bring out the best in each other. Explore our previous masterclass, Rising Above Challenges, here and discover more about our Human Library experience here.

In October, our PIF Mentorship Programme for 2023 will come to a close. Our Social Impact Sub-Committee will begin preparations for PIF 2024 starting late 2023, and we are continuously seeking to enhance our program. If you're a YWLC member interested in organising next year's event, please reach out to us at impact@ywlc.org.sg.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the individuals who made this event possible!

Venue Partner: Ernst & Young Singapore

Guest speakers: Liesa Desisca, the President of the Toastmasters Club of Singapore Peachy Pacquing, Masters Program Director at Hyper Island (supported by Divya Parma and Carla Laus)

Organising Team: Nicolette Tan, Samantha Lim, Joanne Ong, Tay Shi Pei, Valery Tan, Vigneswari A

Author: Natalie Eng