5 SATS Women on Motherhood and Making It Work
This Mother’s Day, we’re sharing the everyday, honest, and heartful stories of five women at SATS—mums who are raising kids (and grandkids) while showing up for work, for their teams, and for their families.
Angel Chan, Manager, Ops Planning & Process Improvements
For Angel, no two days look the same—but they all start early. “I wake up, get ready for work, wake the kids, dress them, and prepare them for school,” she says. “Thankfully, my husband handles drop-off.”
Angel holds a corporate job at SATS and is a mum of two: her eldest is six and her youngest just turned one. In between meetings and operations, she squeezes in milk expression sessions during lunchtime. "I’m still breastfeeding, so lunchtime usually means no lunch for me!”
Evenings are usually hectic: she bathes and feeds the kids, helps with homework, and puts them to bed before tackling house chores and enjoying some quiet time with her husband.
“The toughest days are when the kids fall sick,” she admits. “But I’m grateful I can count on my in-laws, and I’ve got a very understanding supervisor who supports me when I need to work from home or take urgent leave.”
Angel has learnt to give her full attention to the task—or person—in front of her, whether it’s work or family. “Being fully present is something motherhood taught me, and I carry that into my role, too.”
Judy Goh, Sous Chef, Cold Kitchen
Judy’s alarm goes off at 3 in the morning. She stretches, makes her bed, and starts her day with a quick breakfast. While most of us are still snoozing, Judy’s already out the door by six o’clock and reporting for duty at the Cold Kitchen just before 7.
She has been doing this same routine for 50 years, having joined SATS in 1975. “My daughter’s 50,” she smiles. “My son’s 46. Time really flies.”
Judy has helped set up SATS kitchens in India and China. She has trained countless catering assistants and is known for being firm but fair. “I always teach the younger ones what’s right and wrong. I treat them as I would my kids,” she says.
Her favourite part of the day? When she visits her son and spends time with her grandchildren after work. “Every day, my son asks me, ‘Mum, what do you want to eat? I’ll cook it for you.’ That makes me feel so loved as a mother.”
Lorna Ricaforte Roldan, Flexi Operations Assistant, Cargo - Coolport
Lorna is a mum of three: her eldest recently graduated and now works in the UK, her second child is juggling an airline job and part-time studies at university, and her youngest is a spirited 9-year-old in Primary 3.
Her evenings are loud, busy, and sometimes chaotic, but she finds her quiet time in badminton. “That’s how I clear my mind,” she says.
Some days are overwhelming. The guilt creeps in. “I feel bad when I can’t be present enough,” she admits. But her husband helps. Her team at SATS Cargo understands. And over time, she has learnt how to balance the madness. “Motherhood made me better at work too. I’ve learnt to manage my time better, ask for help, and be more patient.”
Joey Hea, Customer Services Agent
Joey is a customer services agent and a proud mum to a three-year-old—with another baby on the way. “I gave birth to my son safely; that’s my proudest moment as a mother,” she shares.
Her days are full, balancing work shifts, grumpy travellers, and toddler energy, and now navigating pregnancy on top of it all. “When I get home, I just want to lie down, but I always make time to play with my son until his bedtime,” she says. It’s never easy, as there’s barely time for rest, but for Joey, motherhood is its own reward.
As a parent, she has learnt to be more patient and composed—qualities crucial at her work as a passenger services agent, too.
Since returning to SATS in 2023, she’s been thankful for colleagues and supervisors who look out for her. “They arranged a special shift for me during this pregnancy so I can rest more,” she says.
Her biggest lesson she likes to share with her kids? “Never do anything that will make you regret.”
Maria Lorela Jularbal, Sous Chef, Pre-Prep 2
When Maria started at SATS in 2001, her youngest was just six months old. She worked long hours prepping ingredients, garnishing plates, and keeping the kitchen moving. At home, it was full-on mum mode.
“I would bathe them, feed them, and help with schoolwork. It was hard,” she admits. “But I did not want to bring work stress home. I wanted my kids to see a happy mum.”
Today, her kids are grown—30 and 25—and working adults. She still remembers how proud she felt when they graduated from university.
Maria believes in working hard and standing on your own feet. “I always told them—don’t depend on anyone. Build your own future.”
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For these five women, balancing work and motherhood is a delicate contrast: messy yet beautiful, exhausting yet fulfilling. It’s about solving problems at work and showing up for playdates at home.
To all the incredible mums at SATS, Happy Mother’s Day!
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