{"id":1264,"date":"2024-05-31T10:01:23","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T10:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/?post_type=alumnus&p=1264"},"modified":"2025-03-04T12:33:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T04:33:50","slug":"kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin","status":"publish","type":"profile","link":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/","title":{"rendered":"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Breaking unseen barriers: Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin (Class of \u201823\/24)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In the fast-paced world of technology, breaking barriers is not just about innovation. It\u2019s also about challenging norms and paving the way for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin, two inspiring women from the UCLA-NUS EMBA<\/a> Class of \u201823 who are uplifting fellow women in the technology industry as they redefine standards and blaze their own trails to success. Join us as we delve into their remarkable journeys and the transformative impact they are creating at work and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Kim So Yeon\u2019s career journey is one marked by a desire to make a tangible impact. Currently the APAC Deal Desk Director of Deal Strategy & Pricing at Salesforce, she started her career in investment banking.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

So Yeon eventually transitioned into the technology sector, seeking a role where she could create value in a hands-on way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn investment banking, the focus was on transactions and money,\u201d So Yeon reflects. \u201cI felt like I wasn\u2019t contributing tangibly to society.\u201d This realization led her to explore opportunities in technology, a sector that was rapidly reshaping industries at that time. \u201cIt\u2019s still doing so now, with the advent of generative AI solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining Microsoft, So Yeon made an immediate impact by creating the first financing software program in Asia, specifically for South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 17 years later, she decided to pursue new horizons and move to Salesforce. Reflecting on her move, she expressed, \u201cMicrosoft is great, but I wanted to explore the world outside.\u201d This shift in her career path occurred in the midst of her UCLA-NUS EMBA program. \u201cThe opportunity came through a connection I made during the program; he was an alumni who brought the open position to my attention.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Charting her own path<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In discussing the challenges faced by women in tech sales, So Yeon reflects on her own experiences and the societal expectations she encountered early in her career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwenty-five years ago, being a working woman in Korea was considered unconventional,\u201d she recalls. \u201cThe expectation was to get married and retire early to focus on family. However, some of us, like myself, challenged this notion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So Yeon acknowledges that while these perceptions were common in the past, progress has been made. \u201cToday, more people are recognizing and believing in the capabilities of female leaders.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is deeply committed to driving change, actively participating in diversity events and panel discussions, advocating for gender equality and female leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With her extensive exposure to various markets, she is particularly passionate about addressing the discrimination faced by women in South Korea. \u201cIn Singapore, we are fortunate to have many exceptional female leaders who serve as inspiring examples. However, in Korea, the situation is somewhat different. Women there often feel more constrained by their gender.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about advice for aspiring female leaders, So Yeon stresses the value of self-belief. \u201cWe must not internalize discrimination,\u201d she asserts. \u201cIt\u2019s important to be able to discern and know your worth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Willa Lin, the Director of AI Consulting at DataForce, leads a team of consultants specializing in AI\/ML training data. Her role involves working closely with clients to understand their data needs, create tailored solutions, and ensure project execution aligns with expectations.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What does she enjoy most about her job? The diverse range of people she gets to meet and the variety of industries she gets to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou get a really interesting cross-section of where the technology is at, across different verticals,\u201d she shares. \u201cWe work with major tech companies, startups, and government groups, each with unique AI use cases. It\u2019s always really interesting to see all the different applications at the forefront of the industry.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

A fierce advocate for career women<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As a seasoned professional in the tech industry, Willa has witnessed significant changes in diversity and inclusion over the years. \u201cI think people are definitely becoming a lot more conscious about equality in the workplace. In the companies that I have worked in, the management teams have made conscious decisions to have balanced representation in senior leadership positions,\u201d she shares<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these efforts, Willa recognizes that there is still progress to be made, especially regarding female self-advocacy. For example, women tend to advocate for themselves less than their male counterparts, which means they tend to speak up or assert themselves less in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keen to play a part in supporting and uplifting other women in the workplace, Willa decides to be a mentor in her current company\u2019s female mentorship program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019s paired with other women in the organization, providing them with valuable one-on-one mentorship and guidance. Through these periodic check-ins, Willa offers support, advice, and encouragement to her mentees, helping them navigate challenges, develop their skills, and advance in their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willa\u2019s commitment to empowering women extends beyond her professional life. As a military spouse, she has had to relocate across multiple geographies alongside her husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is this term called \u2018trailing spouses\u2019 in this community,\u201d she explains. These spouses, predominantly women, frequently find themselves having to pause their careers or contend with limited job prospects due to the necessity of frequent relocations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on her own experience, Willa considers herself fortunate to have been able to continue her career through remote work opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, she is acutely aware of the struggles encountered by many others in similar situations. This awareness has fueled her passion in advocating for more job opportunities for \u201ctrailing spouses\u201d. \u201cI believe that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, should have the chance to pursue meaningful and fulfilling careers.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"programme":[10],"class_list":["post-1264","profile","type-profile","status-publish","hentry","programme-ucla"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nKim So Yeon and Willa Lin - NUS Women in MBA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin - NUS Women in MBA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Breaking unseen barriers: Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin (Class of \u201823\/24) In the fast-paced world of technology, breaking barriers is not just about innovation. It\u2019s also about challenging norms and paving the way for others. Meet Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin, two inspiring women from the UCLA-NUS EMBA Class of \u201823 who are...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NUS Women in MBA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-04T04:33:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/\",\"name\":\"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin - NUS Women in MBA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-31T10:01:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-04T04:33:50+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Profiles\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/\",\"name\":\"NUS Women in MBA\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization\",\"name\":\"NUS Women in MBA\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png\",\"width\":280,\"height\":64,\"caption\":\"NUS Women in MBA\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin - NUS Women in MBA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin - NUS Women in MBA","og_description":"Breaking unseen barriers: Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin (Class of \u201823\/24) In the fast-paced world of technology, breaking barriers is not just about innovation. It\u2019s also about challenging norms and paving the way for others. Meet Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin, two inspiring women from the UCLA-NUS EMBA Class of \u201823 who are...","og_url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/","og_site_name":"NUS Women in MBA","article_modified_time":"2025-03-04T04:33:50+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/","name":"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin - NUS Women in MBA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website"},"datePublished":"2024-05-31T10:01:23+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-04T04:33:50+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/kim-so-yeon-and-willa-lin\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Profiles","item":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/profile\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Kim So Yeon and Willa Lin"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#website","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/","name":"NUS Women in MBA","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#organization","name":"NUS Women in MBA","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/149\/2024\/05\/logo-nus-businessschool.png","width":280,"height":64,"caption":"NUS Women in MBA"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/1264"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/profile"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/1264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2074,"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile\/1264\/revisions\/2074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"programme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mba.nus.edu.sg\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programme?post=1264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}