Growing Together: Celebrating 12 Years of KPWA Mentorship

Twelve years of mentorship, and we're celebrating all of it!

Join us as mentees, mentors, alumni, allies, and future participants come together to connect, share inspiring stories, and celebrate the impact of the KPWA Mentorship Program. Hear real stories, career insights, and mentorship reflections from an esteemed panel of leaders including Google, KPMG, Scotiabank and the University of Toronto. ​ Build meaningful connections through networking opportunities with our distinguished speakers, industry professionals, and members of the KPWA community.

Be among the first to learn exciting details about the 2027 KPWA Mentorship Program. 

Seats are limited. Register your spot today.

Tickets include assorted canapés and one drink.

Meet the Mentors: 2027 KPWA Mentorship Program

Edward Ra,

Managing Director & Head, Structured Products Group, Scotiabank 

Ed is a Managing Director and Head of the Structured Products Group within Scotiabank’s Global Banking and Markets division. He leads the bank’s structured derivatives and financing activities, with a primary focus on structured credit. Drawing on deep expertise across capital markets, corporate finance, derivatives, and restructuring, Ed structures, negotiates, and executes transactions for both buy-side and sell-side. 

Before joining Scotiabank, Ed practised banking and corporate finance law as a partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP and as a partner at McMillan LLP. 

A longstanding advisor and mentor to KPWA, Ed shares his knowledge, skills, and experience to support the professional development of our members. 

Although entire career has been in business, his best mark in law school was criminal law and he even managed to win the Criminal Law Award in first year.

Helena Yoon,

Founder, Executive Brand Director, Helena Yoon Co.

Helena Yoon is a brand strategist and creative director who has spent over 20 years helping global brands figure out who they are and why it matters. After immigrating to Canada with her family, she built an international career on cultural insights, human behaviour, and the belief that the best brands are built on clarity first. Her work has taken her across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Along the way, she has built brands in health & wellness, fashion, beauty, and food, partnering with clients like Kellogg's, Coca-Cola, IKEA, Grupo Bimbo, and Rogers Media, to name a few.

Helena doesn't just build brands for big companies, she builds them for people. From Fortune 500s to startups, her approach is rooted in understanding the distinct needs, cultures, and audiences of each market, then translating that insight into strategies and creative that actually move people. Through Helena Yoon Co., her boutique agency, she works with organizations to sharpen their positioning, refresh their brand identity, and show up with confidence in a crowded world.

What drives her most is the human side of branding. Helena is deeply committed to helping the next generation define their own path, develop a personal brand that opens doors, and step into opportunities with intention and confidence. When she's not working, you'll find her travelling, immersing herself in new cultures, and hunting down the best meal in whatever city she lands in.

Ji Hyun Kwon,

Partner, Tax Practice, KPMG

Ji is a partner in KPMG’s Financial Services Tax practice, bringing extensive experience advising multinational organizations across various industries. She helps clients navigate complex tax matters arising from cross-border operations, evolving regulations, and strategic business priorities. Ji also leads KPMG’s Korea Practice, fostering trusted relationships and supporting organizations with business interests in Canada and Korea. In addition, she is actively involved in various speaking engagements and has contributed to the development of KPMG tools and KPMG publications.

Within KPMG, Ji advances an inclusive workplace through her involvement with the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee. She also serves on the selection committee for KPMG’s Board of Directors, contributing her perspective to an important governance process. Her commitment to service the community has been recognized, and she was a recipient of the KPMG Community Leader Award.

Being one of the founding members and the first Chair of KPWA Mentorship Committee, she has been involved from the very first stage of developing KPWA mentorship programs. She strongly believes in the value of mentorship and remains committed to giving back to the community by supporting the next generation of professionals.

When she is not navigating complex tax matters, Ji enjoys navigating the golf course—always in pursuit of a great shot and even better company.

Monica Hahm,

Director, Advancement, University of Toronto

Monica is a senior advancement leader with more than 30 years of experience at the University of Toronto, where she has held leadership roles across several academic divisions, including the Faculty of Arts & Science, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and Rotman Commerce. She is also President of the Korean Professional Women’s Association (KPWA) and has served on its Executive Committee in various leadership roles since 2016.

Mentorship has long been an important part of Monica’s personal and professional life. Through KPWA and throughout her career, she has supported others by sharing experience, offering practical guidance and encouragement, and helping mentees build confidence, navigate important decisions, and recognize their own potential. She is particularly passionate about creating opportunities for others to grow, lead and succeed. As the mother of four grown sons, Monica also considers parenthood one of life’s longest, and most rewarding, mentorship assignments.

Monica is an eternal optimist - whether she’s competing in a golf tournament and believing the next shot will be the one, or opening the fridge and confidently turning whatever she finds into a brand-new menu item.

Young Park,

Corporate Director, 407 ETR, Fundserv Inc., Calian Group

Young Park is an independent corporate director and former technology executive with extensive governance experience across public, private, healthcare, and not-for-profit organizations. She currently serves on the boards of 407 ETR, Fundserv Inc., and Calian Group Ltd and recently retired from the boards of PC Financial and Joseph Brant Hospital in June 2026. In these roles, she provides oversight in enterprise risk, cybersecurity, digital transformation, executive succession, regulatory compliance, and strategic growth. Throughout her board career, Young has chaired and served on governance, risk, human resources, compensation, audit, finance, and technology committees. She has also overseen multiple acquisitions and major organizational transformation initiatives.

Previously, as a Chief Information Officer, Young Park delivered significant cost savings through organizational and technology optimization. She has advised and educated senior technology leaders on strategy, innovation, operational excellence, and leadership. Her combination of executive and board experience enables her to bring a practical, forward-looking perspective to complex business challenges.

Beyond the boardroom, Young is a committed community leader and speaker who supports immigrant employment, healthcare innovation, and inclusive programs. As an empty nester with two grown-up children, I enjoy golfing during the summer and travelling abroad in the winter, both for pleasure and missionary work.  Also, as a way of sharing the support I received, I mentor young professionals as they navigate their career paths, as well as seasoned executives aspiring to board leadership roles, both formally through Women Get On Board and informally through my professional network

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