We’re thrilled to welcome Valerie Won Lee as the new Chapter Leader for WomenTech Network South Korea—a passionate advocate for inclusion, innovation, and global collaboration. With a remarkable career spanning continents and sectors—from corporate powerhouses to humanitarian initiatives—she brings a truly unique perspective to building Korea’s local tech ecosystem into a globally connected, diversity-driven force.
In this exclusive interview, she reflects on her journey from Global Ambassador and Women in Tech Global Conference Speaker to Chapter Leader, and shares her bold vision for the future of women in tech in South Korea. From bridging global networks to launching impactful mentorship and corporate partnerships, her mission is clear: to position Korea not just as a tech innovator, but as a model of inclusive excellence in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Leading with Impact
Are you excited to join the WomenTech Network as the South Korea Chapter Leader, and what initially motivated you to become part of the network years back as a Global Ambassador and speaker?
Having been part of the WomenTech Network since 2020—first as a speaker, then as a Global Ambassador—I've witnessed the transformative power of this incredible movement across every career stage, from aspiring professionals to C-suite executives. As someone who founded a global movement myself, I understand the complexities of leading multicultural organizations, which deepens my admiration for Anna Radulovski's unwavering commitment to empowering women's success. Her vision inspires me, and I'm honored to take on this mission.
Additionally, my involvement with WomenTech Network has shown me the growing support for diversity among male tech leaders—a crucial indicator that we're moving toward a future where inclusion is the standard, not the exception. Korea stands at a pivotal moment: as a global innovation powerhouse with companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai leading technological advancement, it's essential to connect this dynamic ecosystem with international diversity networks.
As WomenTech Chapter Leader for South Korea, I aim to bridge Korea's tech excellence with global inclusion standards, demonstrating that innovation and diversity are inseparable competitive advantages. This role allows me to showcase how Korean companies can lead by example—because in today's interconnected world, true global leadership requires diverse perspectives at every level.
My Journey in Tech
Share with us more of your journey, your background, and what inspired you to develop your career in this direction.
Born in Korea, raised in Europe, and now holding British and French citizenship, I have a multicultural perspective shaped by 20 years of working across continents with professionals from over 100 nationalities. This global experience has been instrumental in understanding how diversity drives innovation.
My career spans corporate, nonprofit, and international sectors:
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Corporate and Public Sector Experience: I've driven business development for global brands including LVMH, Issey Miyake, Alberta Ferretti, SAP, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and during my time with the British Civil Service, I led communications for the United Nations Global Platform on Big Data.
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Social Impact: I've contributed to fundraising initiatives for Amnesty International, the Pasteur Institute, and the Marie Curie Institute, understanding how purpose-driven organizations create lasting change.
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Entrepreneurial Innovation: In 2014, I founded World Citizen Artists, uniting artists and organizations worldwide to address humanitarian challenges through creative expression, partnering with the Bob Marley Foundation, Gandhi Foundation, and Belgravia Gallery. I also established Stunning Brand, a top rated consultancy specializing in purpose-driven branding.
When AI emerged as a transformative force, it coincided with a time when I needed to step back for personal reasons. It felt like the right moment to close one chapter and begin another—one more adapted to our changing times. This pause gave me space to reflect on what I'd achieved and where I wanted to go next. I began connecting the dots between my diverse experiences and researching how technology, social impact, and global communications could work together more effectively.
This reflection led to my current project: Social-Impact-Global: How to Turn Obstacles Into Bridges, a book introducing the S-I-G framework that helps organizations align social responsibility with global communications and stakeholder trust. The framework draws from my cross-sector and cross-cultural experience to offer actionable strategies for modern leadership.
Who would you advise to join WomenTech Network and why?
Success is never achieved in isolation—it's built through meaningful connections and mutual support. WomenTech Network offers more than career advancement; it's a global community where professionals across 183 countries share knowledge, create opportunities, and build an inclusive future together.
I encourage three key groups to join:
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Tech professionals at all levels: From developers to executives seeking mentorship, global perspectives, and career acceleration
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Corporate leaders and decision-makers: Those who understand that diverse teams drive innovation and want to position their companies at the forefront of inclusive excellence
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Students and career-changers: Anyone entering tech who wants to build connections that will support their entire career journey
Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Tech
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for the South Korea Chapter, and how do you envision creating more opportunities and empowering women in tech across the region?
My vision is to establish the South Korea Chapter as a premier hub where women in tech—from entry-level to executive—find the support, visibility, and opportunities they need to thrive. Korea's position as a global technology leader, home to innovation giants and a thriving startup ecosystem, creates the perfect environment to demonstrate how diversity accelerates success.
Strategic Goals:
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Global Connection: Link Korean tech professionals with WomenTech's network of 100,000+ members across 183 countries, creating unprecedented opportunities for international collaboration and career growth
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Corporate Partnership: Collaborate with leading Korean companies to develop inclusive leadership programs, mentorship initiatives, and innovation challenges that showcase how diversity drives business results
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Educational Excellence: Partner with universities and technical institutions to inspire the next generation, ensuring women are equally represented in Korea's tech future
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Visibility and Recognition: Spotlight Korean women tech leaders on the global stage while bringing international best practices to Korea, fostering meaningful knowledge exchange
Implementation Strategy:
We'll collaborate with Korean organizations to organize high-impact events combining technical workshops with leadership development, host C-suite roundtables on diversity as a competitive advantage, and create mentorship programs connecting Korean professionals with global leaders.
Long-term Vision:
I envision the WomenTech Korea Chapter catalyzing a shift where diversity becomes integral to Korea's tech identity—not as an imported concept, but as a natural evolution of Korean innovation excellence. By demonstrating measurable business benefits through case studies and success stories, we'll show that inclusive teams create better products, reach broader markets, and drive sustainable growth.
Regional Impact:
I see exciting opportunities to connect with the broader Asia-Pacific tech ecosystem, where each country brings unique strengths and perspectives. The Korea Chapter will actively participate in regional exchanges, learning from successful diversity initiatives across Asia while sharing our own experiences. By fostering collaboration between tech hubs from Singapore to Tokyo, Sydney to Shanghai, we can create a powerful network where best practices flow in all directions. This regional solidarity will strengthen Asia-Pacific's collective position in the global tech landscape, with each country contributing its unique innovations to our shared goal of building more inclusive tech sectors.
Welcoming Global Partnerships:
The Korea Chapter will also serve as a bridge for international companies looking to enter or expand in the Korean market. By creating collaborations with foreign tech companies and professionals, we'll facilitate knowledge exchange and help global organizations understand how to succeed in Korea while contributing to its diversity goals. This two-way exchange enriches both Korean companies going global and international firms establishing presence in Korea.
This is Korea's moment to lead—not just in technology, but in building the inclusive, innovative future that global markets demand. Together, we'll ensure Korean companies don't just compete globally, but set the standard for what 21st-century tech leadership looks like.
Conclusion
As this interview shows, the South Korea Chapter is set to become a powerful force for community, connection, and impact. With a leader who brings global experience, local insight, and deep purpose, this chapter is paving the way for women in Korea—and across Asia—to thrive in tech and leadership.
Whether you're an aspiring changemaker, a seasoned tech professional, or someone passionate about building inclusive innovation, there’s a place for you in this community.
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