The session, titled “Startup leadership that challenges inertia,” was designed to prompt employees to examine organizational habits and consider change, the bank said.
Citi marks International Women’s Day each year with programs involving employees worldwide, including lectures, panel discussions and networking events, it said.
Inertia is a startup founded by women scientists from KAIST. It has recently expanded overseas through entry into the U.S. market and sales on Amazon.
Kim decided to launch the company while researching quantum engineering and medical artificial intelligence at KAIST, aiming to use technology to address everyday inconveniences. In 2024, Forbes Korea named her to its “30 Under 30” list.
In her talk, Kim described practical constraints startups face when entering the market and shared bias she experienced as a woman founder.
“The law of inertia applies in our daily lives, too,” she said. “It’s not that it can’t be done — we just haven’t tried it yet. Change in an organization becomes possible when leaders first ask questions that break existing inertia.”
Yoo said Kim’s story offered a chance to reflect on the leadership needed in a changing environment. She added she hoped the lecture would help employees seek new possibilities in their work.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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