International Women’s Day (8 March) is one of the most important moments in our global calendar, celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. At Swissport, we recognise the incredible contributions women make to our organisation and the role we can play in amplifying their voices, ensuring everyone in our business is treated with respect, fairness and inclusion.

This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’, encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration while emphasizing the power of reciprocity and support. This resonates with many of us at Swissport, as our culture is built on showing others that we care and we win as a team.

This month’s special edition of Meet the Faces Behind Swissport takes us to all regions of our business, where we hear from some of the women who make our global operations possible. They share their experiences of life at Swissport, and what IWD means to them.

Kyeong-Hwa, South Korea – Building a culture of safety

At Swissport, safety is always our number one priority. Consistently applying Just Culture principles across daily activities and communications is the most important part of Kyeong-Hwa’s job as Head of Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) for Swissport Korea. Known as KH to her colleagues, her role brings a mix of “incident management, stakeholder coordination, and continuous improvement activities”.

She finds it inspiring to see “people's mindset and behaviours genuinely change through various safety promotion activities. They become a safety ambassador themselves, then encouraging their colleagues to help each other and to keep more people safer”.

Her QHSE team is small – “five women and four men, spanning an age gap of 37 years from the post-Korean War generation to Gen-Z. Experience levels vary dramatically too: some have been with Swissport Korea for 23 years, while our newest member joined just last month”. Yet it’s defined by great teamwork and specialised expertise. Communication, respect, and empathy are key for KH in overcoming any operational challenges faced on the ground.

Understanding and celebrating IWD is important to KH. “It raises awareness, helps more people understand the journey we've been on, recognizes the efforts that brought us here, and reminds us of the work still ahead”, she notes.

In Korea, this year’s theme is expressed through the proverb '베풀수록 커진다'—'The more you give, the more you grow.' KH believes this resonates with Swissport’s core values, 'Show You Care' and 'Win as a Team.' For her, it’s about “approaching each other generously, supporting growth, and recognizing that investing in an inclusive culture benefits everyone”.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Korea’s aviation industry, KH is a woman of many hobbies, and is constantly trying something new. “I learned and enjoyed playing guitar, piano, flute, etc., as well as sports such as yoga, pilates, golf, tennis, running, skiing, swimming and taekwondo”. KH is also an expert at navigating foreigners through the spice levels of Korea’s famed culinary scene, but admits she’s more than capable of handling the heat.

Graciela, Spain – Continuous improvement with inclusive collaboration

For Graciela, a Global ISO Compliance Manager within our QHSE team, Swissport’s safety culture is all about continuous improvement and upholding Swissport’s triple ISO certification. “Every region brings its own complexities”, Graciela tells us. “I might be auditing stations in South America or Asia one week and supporting European locations with a compliance issue the next.”

Yet the collaboration and ‘winning as a team’ spirit drives the QHSE team forward. Graciela works closely with colleagues across all regions and global teams, and she notes that there is a strong culture of knowledge-sharing and mutual support. She tells us that “you can't succeed in isolation; you need to work effectively across regions, functions, and cultures” in a global operation like Swissport.

It’s in this spirit that Graciela reflects on this year’s IWD theme. For her, ‘Give to Gain’ is about “the progress comes from lifting others as we grow ourselves. When we share knowledge, open doors, and encourage confidence in others, we create space for real development.”

For her, progress is not just about time, but about the impact of your contributions and the responsibility you take on. In just two years, Graciela has worked on global compliance initiatives, collaborated with regional leadership and contributed to strengthening our management systems, which continue to evolve. “While aviation has traditionally been male dominated”, Graciela adds, “I see more women taking on significant roles at Swissport”.

It's a demanding industry, but Graciela believes that women are better supported when they are given real opportunities to grow and are trusted with responsibility”. When people feel supported, they perform better, and that benefits everyone.

Away from Swissport, Graciela draws inspiration from her mother, who raised four children while maintaining her career. “Her example shaped my belief that we don't have to choose; we can do both”. A mother herself, Graciela tells us that she took pride in completing a second university degree, in Human Resources, alongside work and family commitments.

Always curious to learn and improve, Graciela is an inspiration to Swissport and a true champion of continuous improvement.

Clarine, United States – Safety leadership and gender diversity

Safety is a critical part of Clarine’s role as a Ground Handling Lead at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in the U.S., one of Swissport’s key operations in the Carolinas. Every day starts with a safety walk, equipment checks, and daily briefings to ensure teams complete safe, reliable aircraft turnarounds in the 30–40-minute window.

After working in a casino for 20 years, life on the ramp is a breath of fresh air. Clarine enjoys the buzz of working at the airport and pushing her teams to always be better. She explains that ensuring everyone, including newer colleagues, consistently follows procedures and remains compliant can sometimes be demanding.

Often noted as the ‘mother of the office’, Clarine believes that being willing to listen and learn are the two most important qualities to success at Swissport. “I like to lead with patience and calmness. I am easy to get along with, but I will call people out when needed.”

Female empowerment means a lot to a leader like Clarine. Before working in aviation, she thought it was just a man’s job, but she believes it’s “important to recognize women in roles that have traditionally been held by men. Whatever you can learn, we can learn too. We can accomplish anything a man can. There are no limitations on what we can do. We can do anything we put our minds to as women.”

Any early fears of adversity or negativity about earning her leadership role as a woman were eased by her team members at RDU. “My colleagues were quick to reassure me that I was deserving of my position. That support meant a lot. I feel excited and empowered by the work I do,” Clarine tells us.

When not at Raleigh-Durham, you can find Clarine cruising around the Carolinas on her motorcycle, occasionally checking in on her teams with kindness and empathy.

Déborah, Switzerland – Equality progress through the years

Now in her 18^th year at Swissport, Team Manager Déborah is at the heart of Swissport’s ramp handling operations for a key customer at Geneva Airport. She has seen first-hand the progress made in her time with the company, through representation and female leadership across the business and gender pay equity, achieved in Switzerland in 2022.

Déborah believes that IWD is about celebrating that progress, while continuing to promote equal opportunities. For her, “seeing women in leadership roles helps demonstrate that aviation offers long-term careers for everyone”. Supporting others, investing in people to help them grow, is what ‘Give to Gain’ is all about.

On the ground in Geneva, Déborah’s team embodies that collaborative spirit. She works closely with her fellow ramp managers to oversee operational teams, relying “on trust, open communication and mutual support, especially during peak operations. Winning as a team is not just a value, it’s a daily reality in our environment”.

As a Team Manager Déborah is constantly leading by example, encouraging her teams to “speak up, follow procedures, and support each other”, reinforcing our safety culture even during busy peaks when operations are stretched.

Déborah herself started in operational roles, learning the business from the ground up and gradually taking on more responsibility. She adds that “being open to opportunities and committed to continuous learning has been key in my development” – qualities that should be celebrated as part of IWD.

In her personal life, Déborah likes to swap the ramp apron for a baking one, as it helps her relax and disconnect from the fast pace of operations. She tells us that she used to play volleyball at a regional level, and “I’m the best human pyramid base according to my two daughters”.

Kelly, United Kingdom – Equal recognition for hard work and commitment

From the ramp to front-of-house, we meet Kelly, who is Head of Customer Service at Manchester Airport in the UK. For her team, managing those trusted partnerships with customers at Britain’s third-busiest airport is critical. There is always something new to learn; not just to meet customer KPIs, but to also ensure operational teams are made aware of latest airline schedules.

But with learning comes rewards. Kelly says she enjoys “learning new things and seeing results from the work you have put in”. In her view, that comes from a commitment to teamwork and a positive attitude, “working together to achieve the end goal on a day-to-day basis”.

For Kelly, the ‘Give to Gain’ message for this year’s IWD resonates on a more personal level. Equal recognition for hard work and effort is an important part of the conversation to be had around gender equality. At Swissport, Kelly believes her contributions have been acknowledged at Manchester, making her feel that the “work and time I have put in has paid off, and that makes me feel proud to tell people”.

Like so many people at Swissport, Kelly’s career started by ‘doing the work’ – in her case as a customer service agent. She has since progressed and grown her career to lead Swissport’s customer relations at a critical operational base for the region.

Her advice to her younger self? Always put yourself out there and be seen, even when it doesn’t come naturally. And if your 10-year-old son gets into football, as 10-year-old boys from Manchester often do, that quickly becomes your hobby!

Florence, Kenya – Inspirational leadership motivating the ‘Give to Gain’

The ‘Give to Gain’ mantra of this year’s IWD particularly resonates with Florence, a Flight Coordinator for Swissport in Mombasa, Kenya. For her, it “reflects the power of lifting others to achieve collective growth. When women support, mentor, and empower one another, it creates opportunities”.

Reflecting on the value of supporting women in aviation, Florence believes women can be better supported through “mentorship programs, networking opportunities, targeted skills development, and increasing visibility by highlighting women’s accomplishments”.  

Drawing inspiration from Swissport Kenya’s award-winning female CEO Rachel Ndegwa and Mombasa Station Manager Virginiah Kibaki, Florence is motivated to aim higher and is “proud to contribute to breaking barriers, paving the way for others”.

In her “fast-paced and highly operational” day-to-day role, Florence takes great pride in working directly with passengers, going beyond procedures to deliver creative, empathetic, and ultimately memorable customer service on Swissport’s behalf. The “balance between operational precision and human interaction” makes the job most exciting for her.

Teamwork and knowledge sharing are both critically important at her station. Florence strongly believes in “sharing insights with colleagues to resolve customer issues without unnecessary escalation. When someone is overwhelmed, I step in to support because showing care strengthens our team”. Every team member plays a vital role, working together under Swissport’s safety-first culture to deliver smooth operations and celebrate success as one team.

Outside of work, Florence is a professional cook, and is passionate about food, art, and design. She also loves dancing and singing, which she says helps her stay energized and positive.

Wedad, Ecuador – Inspiring confidence with female empowerment

Inspiring confidence is the most important aspect of female empowerment for Quito’s Station Manager, Wedad. For her, ‘Give to Gain’ represents inspiring others and supporting them by sharing knowledge and lifting them up. “When we help others grow, we all grow together and win as a team”.

Throughout her career in aviation, Wedad tells us that she’s been fortunate to work with many inspiring women, who have all been an important part of her professional growth at Swissport. “Their support and example have shown me the value of collaboration, confidence, and lifting others up along the way”.

Armed with experience and self-assuredness, Wedad believes IWD is a time to “recognize the women who opened doors before us and to inspire the next generation to believe they can be part of this industry too”.

Being part of a fast-paced, challenging, but impactful industry motivates and inspires Wedad. For her, it shows that “women can lead and make a difference in operations”, and seeing a complex airport come together is “incredibly rewarding”. Balancing speed and service while maintaining a safety-first mindset is always a challenge, but one that makes the job most exciting.

The pressure of managing one of Swissport’s busiest stations in the LATAM region is always a challenge, but Wedad likes to stay calm and focus on solutions in the high-pressure moments to make sure aircraft turnaround happens safely and on time. Wedad also likes to enjoy “finding time to disconnect, travel, and spend time with family and friends” away from work.

Our Meet The Faces Series

Swissport would like to thank all of our inspirational women for their contribution to this special Meet the Faces edition. Their dedication, leadership and impact continue to inspire the next generation and help shape the future of aviation.

Stay tuned for more stories in our Meet the Faces Behind Swissport series, where we showcase the incredible people behind our business. To learn more about our female diversity initiatives and our Employee Resource Groups, visit the Our People on Swissport.com.