KGCCI, German Embassy host mentoring program
The Women In Korea (WIR) leadership group of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) marked the sixth edition of its annual mentoring program with a kick-off event, March 8.
Hosted at the residence of German Ambassador to Korea Georg Schmidt, the event attracted over 100 participants, including women executive mentors and mentees from various sectors and organizations.
“Despite decades of struggle and many advances, women have not achieved gender equality. Continuing to strive for this aim is not only a question of basic justice, it makes states and societies more peaceful, stable, resilient and economically more successful than if women are excluded or disadvantaged,” Schmidt said.
Huh Kum-joo, co-chairperson of the WIR Mentorship Program, expressed aspirations for the program to play a more significant role, emphasizing the importance of women’s economic participation for a sustainable global economy.
“The KGCCI WIR program is dedicated to expanding the pipeline of women talents in companies and contributing to diversity, equity and inclusion policies through mentoring, networking and enhancing women’s capabilities,” Huh said.
Martin Henkelmann, president and CEO of the KGCCI, who assumed the role of co-chair of the WIR program this year, expressed his commitment to advancing
empowerment. He emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion for driving innovation and prosperity.
“At the KGCCI, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential for driving innovation and prosperity. I look forward to working with partners to create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive,” Henkelmann said.
The KGCCI WIR group, a cross-industry, cross-national network of women executives, aims to unlock leadership potential and accelerate value-driven leadership with a focus on
gender, generations and geography.
Since its launch in 2018, the WIR program has provided a platform for young professional women to build a strong and sustainable network and grow professionally. Rooted in the belief that mentorship is a reciprocal exchange, WIR encourages participants to benefit from shared insights, regardless of background or job titles. With a focus on collaboration, the program seeks to address challenges encountered by women leaders in today’s dynamic business environment.