How Love and Sacrifice Gave Her Wings

Rooted in Resilience

When Ms Joanna Lee was just six, her world shifted dramatically – she lost her father to leukaemia, leaving her mother, then a full-time cleaner, to shoulder the weight of raising two young children alone. Unable to manage on her own, Ms Lee’s mother entrusted her care to Ms Lee’s aunt and grandmother, with whom she still stays today.

The separation was painful. Living apart from her mother was not easy, especially during Ms Lee’s formative pre-teen years when maternal guidance is most needed. Yet, she chose to see her circumstances not as a setback, but as fuel for growth.

"Others may have gone through similar or even tougher situations. I use it as motivation to keep moving forward,” shares Ms Lee. “My father's passing was something that happened, and we had to accept it. In some ways, my brother and I were forced to grow up faster.” 

Her aunt, then unmarried, became a steady source of emotional and psychological support. As Ms Lee grew older and gained independence, she reconnected more regularly with her mother. “My aunt treats me like her own daughter,” she says with a smile. “So, I have two mothers!”

Together, these women shaped Ms Lee into the vibrant, confident young woman she is today — one who embraces challenges and steps boldly beyond her comfort zone.

“I am forever grateful for these incredible women who have shown me what strength, love, and selflessness truly mean. They are my pillars of strength, my role models, and my greatest inspirations in life,” she says.

Fuelled by Purpose

Joanna’s love for sports and the outdoors led her to track and field, swimming, judo and more recently, body fitness training. Fuelled by a fierce independence and refusal to take anything for granted, her ambition reached far beyond athletics. At 15, she began working part-time jobs in cafes, bakeries and climbing gyms to support herself.

After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, she joined Singapore Airlines (SIA) as a cabin crew member, choosing to work and save before pursuing a coveted university education. Her motivation was clear: to ease her mother’s financial burden and help her retire earlier.

Her two-year stint with SIA deepened her interest in aviation. In 2019, she enrolled in SIT’s Bachelor of Science with Honours in Air Transport Management programme in 2019, then a newly launched course co-developed with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

A Scholarship That Lifted Her

Community support also played a crucial role. Ms Lee’s academic journey was made lighter by the Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship, which supported her throughout her time at SIT.

“Receiving the Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship for all three years of my studies at SIT lifted a very big burden off my shoulders. It allowed me to focus on my family and studies,” she says appreciatively.

Since 2017, the Ngee Ann Kongsi has supported more than 400 SIT students through scholarships, gold medal award and an emergency relief fund. In 2022, it also made a $25 million endowed gift to SIT to support the development of its Punggol Campus library and learning initiatives, including overseas exchange and internship programmes.

Learning Through Adversity

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Ms Lee’s university experience, with on-site campus learning resuming only in her final year. But she made the most of every opportunity. During her Integrated Work Study Programme, she interned at SIA as a Global and Corporate Sales Associate, gaining digital skills and contributing to a Robotic Process Automation project.

Keen to learn and grow, Ms Lee rejoined SIA after graduation as a Priority Passenger Corporate Services Manager, focusing on loyalty marketing and customer engagement for high-value frequent flyers.

“I believe in lifelong learning. A degree doesn't mean it's the end of the journey. I'm always eager to dive into new courses and expand my skills in areas that pique my interest,” says Ms Lee.

A Bold Leap into Tech

Recently, she made a bold career pivot into the tech industry, joining cybersecurity firm UpGuard as a Cyber Security Executive. Her background in aviation and customer service proved invaluable in her transition. Today, she helps mid-market to enterprise-level companies strengthen their cybersecurity posture and she is already planning her next steps.

“I’m enjoying my learning journey right now. I’m even considering taking certification courses, perhaps in tech or cybersecurity. Ultimately, having experience in both aviation and tech will be valuable, because one day, I hope to work in aviation technology,” reveals Ms Lee.

The Power of Support

Ms Lee’s journey is a testament of the transformative power of love, resilience, and community support. From the unwavering devotion of her family to the financial lift of a scholarship, every act of support helped her rise — and now, she is charting her own course with confidence and purpose.