SMC Expands to Europe: Launch of SMC Netherlands
As part of its continued global expansion, the Singapore Mentorship Committee (SMC) is establishing its first European chapter — SMC Netherlands.
The new chapter will further strengthen SMC’s mission of cultivating Global-Ready talent through mentorship, dialogue, and cross-cultural collaboration.
A Global Talent Ecosystem Across Three Generations
Founded in Singapore in 2020, SMC operates a Global Integrated Talents Ecosystem (GITE) built on an intergenerational mentorship model that connects:
Current Leaders → Emerging Leaders → Future Leaders
This ecosystem brings together entrepreneurs, educators, mentors, families, and young talents to create a cross-generational platform for leadership development. The initiative emphasizes “three-generation collaboration,” encouraging the participation of families, business leaders, and communities in cultivating the next generation of globally minded leaders.
At the heart of this ecosystem is the development of Global-Ready Capacity — participants are encouraged to remain adaptive and innovative with the times (AI-wt) while responding thoughtfully to evolving global challenges.
In just five years, SMC has grown into a vibrant international mentorship community with more than 5,000 alumni across 35 countries.
SMC’s initiatives include:
The Youth Hiking Library
An experiential mentorship platform that facilitates meaningful conversations between mentors and young talents through outdoor dialogue and shared journeys.
Global Ready Mentorship Program (GRMP)
A structured six-month one-to-one mentorship program connecting global leaders with emerging talents.
Becoming Globally Ready
A business symposium and publication that captures insights and leadership reflections from distinguished mentors and global leaders.
Together, these initiatives form a global ecosystem designed to cultivate individuals who possess vision, character, and global capability.
Launch of SMC Netherlands
The newly established SMC Netherlands chapter is founded by Alexander Steunenberg, a former SMC mentee from the Netherlands.
Having experienced the impact of SMC mentorship firsthand, Alexander is now extending the SMC model to Europe, building a network that connects senior leaders, professionals, and international students through mentorship, dialogue, and community engagement.
The Netherlands chapter plans to host its first Youth Hiking Library session in June 2026, bringing together mentors and international students for meaningful cross-cultural exchange.
Building the Founding Network
As the Netherlands chapter begins building its founding network, SMC welcomes individuals and institutions who are interested in contributing in the following roles:
Advisory Board Members
We welcome experienced leaders from business, academia, and the public sector to join the Advisory Board. Members will provide strategic guidance for the development of SMC Netherlands, support the establishment of a strong local network, and contribute insights on cross-border collaboration between Asia and Europe.
Their experience and perspectives will help shape the chapter’s long-term direction, strengthen connections with local institutions, and ensure that SMC’s mentorship initiatives continue to create meaningful impact for the next generation of globally ready talents.
Mentors and Institutional Partners
Professionals who are interested in participating in SMC mentorship initiatives, including the Youth Hiking Library sessions.
We also welcome professionals who are willing to contribute as Mentors, engaging directly with international students and young professionals through SMC’s mentorship platforms.
In addition, SMC Netherlands seeks to collaborate with institutional partners who share a commitment to talent development and global engagement. These may include:
• Business leaders and industry professionals
• Chambers of commerce and business associations
• Non-profit organizations and community institutions
• Universities, schools, and educational institutions
• Innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems
Through these partnerships, SMC aims to build a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and cross-border collaboration between Europe and Asia.
Community Participation
Participation in SMC initiatives is voluntary and community-driven.
Mentors and partners gain access to a unique international network while engaging with the next generation of globally minded talent. At the same time, they contribute to building a cross-cultural mentorship ecosystem that connects leaders, innovators, and young talents across continents.
The launch of SMC Netherlands represents an important milestone in strengthening the SMC global mentorship ecosystem and deepening connections between Asia and Europe.
Through mentorship, dialogue, and cross-cultural collaboration, SMC continues its mission of cultivating globally ready leaders for the next generation.
For those interested in supporting the Netherlands chapter or making introductions in Europe, please contact:
Alexander Steunenberg
Founder, SMC Netherlands