Leadership Beyond Titles: YPN Launches Mentorship Circle
There’s a moment in every career when you realize that leadership is not just about a job title. It’s about stepping in and taking action when something needs to be built, restored, or reimagined. That was the heart of our first Mentorship Circle session.
On March 26, 2026, the Young Professionals Network (YPN) of the Ontario Conference launched its first Mentorship Circle. Led by Janice Anderson, Senior Policy Advisor with the Government of Canada and a dedicated mentor and member of the Young Professionals Network Advisory, this session invited young professionals to reflect deeply on what it means to lead with purpose.
One of the most engaging parts of the session was exploring the pressures leaders navigate every day. Some of the questions that were posed were:
Do you lead from the front or from behind the scene?
Do you trust your instincts or rely on data?
Do you move fast or bring others along?
These were not framed as right or wrong choices, but as real decisions leaders face in real time. Participants reflected on how they show up in these moments and where growth is needed.
Leadership Starts Before the Title
Drawing inspiration from the story of Nehemiah, Ms. Anderson presented a powerful idea. Leadership begins the moment you notice something broken and choose to do something about it. Nehemiah teaches us great leadership lessons, whether rebuilding a wall or a career, success comes from having the courage to take action and serving with integrity.
Through guided reflection, attendees were asked a simple but impactful question: What are you building right now?
For some of the attendees, it was a project. For others, a career path, or even building themselves up into the people they want to become.
What this really means is that leadership is already happening in your life, whether you’ve named it or not.
Lessons from Building Something That Matters
The session soon transitioned from theory to personal experience. Participants shared their personal experiences and reflected on something they had built in their careers, a program, a team, or a process. They examined what worked, what didn’t, and how they showed up as leaders.
Some key themes emerged:
Having a vision gives direction.
Collaboration strengthens outcomes.
Courage is often required before clarity shows up.
And perhaps the most important insight was that: You don’t need perfect conditions to lead. You need willingness. Serving Christ in our professions shows up in how we lead, how we treat others, and how we respond to challenges. This perspective resonated with attendees navigating both career growth and purpose in their lives.
The session closed with a simple, yet motivating reflection: What are you building right now, and how will you lead differently moving forward?
It’s a question worth sitting with.
The Mentorship Circle is part of the Young Professional Network (YPN), a community committed to professional growth and serving Christ through our work. If you’re looking for a space to grow, reflect, and connect with like-minded professionals, you’ll want to be part of what’s next. Follow us on Instagram: @ypn_sda and stay tuned for our next Mentorship Circle!