The growth of the battery industry is not driven by technology alone. From research and development to mass production, people are always at the center. As professionals grow, battery technologies become more sophisticated, which in turn accelerates the realization of next-generation technologies.
LG Energy Solution believes that people are the driving force behind the continuous advancement of the battery industry. To support the development of future battery talent, the company operates several programs designed to foster the growth of next-generation professionals. Among them, the global ambassador program “Better Leaders” represents a key example of this commitment. This time, we explore what the Better Leaders program is and the role it plays in shaping LG Energy Solution’s vision for the future.
What Is Better Leaders?
“Better Leaders” is a global ambassador program operated by LG Energy Solution. The name reflects both the company’s status as a global industry leader and its commitment to supporting the creative initiatives of next-generation battery leaders around the world.
The program brings together university and graduate students from South Korea, the United States, China, Europe, and other regions to gain firsthand experience and share insights on future issues in the battery industry—including electric vehicles, sustainable energy, ESG, and technological innovation. Participants with strong motivation, creative thinking, and a collaborative mindset contribute to creating positive impact across diverse regions.
A More Global Better Leaders Program
Since the launch of its first cohort in 2022, Better Leaders has expanded to its fourth cohort, with interest in and recognition of the program rising each year. Applications have steadily increased—from approximately 370 in the first year to more than 900 in the third round, and over 850 this year. On average, about 25 participants are selected per cohort. This growth illustrates the strong global interest in both LG Energy Solution and the battery industry.
The program’s scale and scope have also expanded significantly. Initially operated in limited regions across Asia, North America, and Europe, the fourth cohort now spans 13 countries, including South Korea, the United States, China, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Indonesia, Canada, Mongolia, Switzerland, and Italy.
Participants develop global competencies through online and offline activities with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Notably, both participants and mentors are given opportunities to visit LG Energy Solution’s global manufacturing sites. Through these visits—spanning the Ochang Energy Plant in South Korea; the Michigan plant in the United States; the Wrocław plant in Poland; the Nanjing site in China; and HLI Green Power, the joint venture with Hyundai Motor Group in Indonesia—participants observe actual battery-production facilities firsthand. Supported by each site, participants also attend lectures on global operations, corporate culture, and safety, join EV battery production line tours, and meet with on-site engineers.
Beginning with the second cohort, the program introduced a mentorship system in which Better Leaders alumni support current participants by providing guidance on content development and career planning. Through the shared experience and know-how of alumni, participants gain practical support in battery knowledge, communication, and content creation.
From Content Creation to Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Experiences: What Better Leaders Do
Each cohort runs for seven months and is open not only to university and graduate students in South Korea but also to international and exchange students overseas. Anyone with an interest in LG Energy Solution or the battery industry—and a strong motivation to put ESG values into practice on a global stage—can apply.
After a document review and interviews, selected participants join regional teams across Asia, Europe, and North America. Together, they carry out various missions that involve planning and creating content on topics such as battery technologies, ESG, and sustainability.
Better Leaders members also take part in online and offline events organized exclusively for the community. Through official online networking events, they connect with peers from around the world, while offline sessions offer opportunities to discuss career development with LG Energy Solution employees and Better Leaders mentors.
LG Energy Solution provides participants with opportunities to develop practical skills and global competencies through a wide range of activities. These include ESG education sessions, IBT (Institute of Battery Tech) classes, and career-focused interviews—along with global manufacturing site tours that offer direct exposure to industrial environments.
Participants also receive various benefits, including a monthly activity stipend and a welcome kit. Outstanding participants are awarded LG laptops. Monthly and final top performers are also recognized based on performance. Final top performers are granted an exemption from the document-screening stage when applying for positions at LG Energy Solution.
LG Energy Solution’s Long-Term Vision: Strengthening the Battery Ecosystem
Through Better Leaders, LG Energy Solution supports the development of next-generation talent while advancing its long-term industrial vision and commitment to a sustainable future. Participants refine their career paths through firsthand industry experience, while LG Energy Solution shares its brand vision and ESG values with them and pursues shared growth.
Several of these individuals have returned to the industry to contribute to technological innovation, creating a positive cycle of talent development. In fact, five alumni from the first to third cohorts have joined LG Energy Solution and now work in production and R&D roles in both the United States and South Korea. The company expects that Better Leaders will continue to serve as an important catalyst for strengthening the global battery ecosystem.
[Epilogue] Real Stories from Better Leaders Participants
What do participants think about LG Energy Solution’s global ambassador program? We spoke directly with members of the fourth cohort to hear about their experiences.
Across all interviews, the common themes were growth and experience. Participants shared that they learned beyond their major fields, explored new environments, and gained clearer direction for their careers through direct engagement with the battery industry.
Shin Yeon-woo from the Asia team spoke about personal growth despite challenges related to time zones and physical distance. “For international students, such opportunities are rare,” she said. “Interacting with participants from many different countries helped me define my career path through the program.”
Eunseo Cho from the North America team emphasized the “practical growth” she experienced through multiple projects. “Through job interviews, PTP (sales and marketing research activities), Social Spotter (trend research), and more, I received continuous feedback,” she said. “I realized that Better Leaders is not just an extracurricular activity; it’s a program that truly supports personal and professional growth.”
Myeongji Kim from the South Korea team reflected on how the experience will support her in her graduate-level research career. “In graduate school, experimental skills are important, but the ability to clearly communicate the value of my research is equally crucial,” she said. “Through Better Leaders, I learned how to communicate in a way that is tailored to the audience. I believe this will be very helpful for my future career.”
Dongjin Kim from the Europe team noted the value of experiencing the battery industry firsthand, even for non-majors. “Seeing battery technology in person, rather than only reading about it, made the industry feel much more tangible,” he said.
LG Energy Solution will continue strengthening its brand value and expanding opportunities for global talent to grow. Stay tuned for the future activities of Better Leaders around the world.
