“Your job is so cool, you must get to meet so many people,” said May as we prepared for our shoot. It struck me as a fitting introduction to someone whose career has been shaped by curiosity and a genuine interest in people.
A familiar face in the Thai-Indian community, she was warm, playful and easy to talk to, with an endearing sense of humour. Her own journey has been anything but conventional. From studying interior architecture to flying with Qatar Airways and eventually moving into fintech, May has never been afraid to change direction. Now a market leader at Stripe in Thailand, she shares the lessons behind her career pivots, her approach to ambition, and why starting over can sometimes be the best way forward.
Tell me about yourself, what has shaped you into the person you are today?
I've never been very good at sitting still! [Laughs.] I'm naturally curious, adventurous, and always thinking about what I want to explore next. My mum has been one of my biggest inspirations. She's a strong, independent working woman, a real boss lady! I grew up watching her work hard, build her financial independence, and make her own choices. My parents and brother have also always encouraged me to take chances, learn from mistakes, and not be afraid of starting over.
I've always had this personal mantra: “love what you do, and it will love you back.” For me, it's about putting your heart into whatever you choose, staying curious, and being willing to learn along the way.
You spent nearly four years as a cabin crew member for Qatar Airways. What first drew you to that life?
Becoming a cabin crew member was never part of my original plan! I studied interior architecture for five years and worked in that field after graduating, but eventually started feeling burned out. When my parents suggested pursuing a master's degree abroad, I wasn't sure what I wanted next. Then my best friend suggested we apply to become cabin crew. Why not?
The opportunity ticked so many boxes: travelling, experiencing different cultures, living abroad, and becoming financially independent. I was also excited to see the buildings I'd spent years studying in real life. I honestly didn't expect to get the job, but it opened up a completely new world for me.
Looking back, I was just a curious young woman who wanted to experience life beyond what I already knew. I joined aviation thinking I would get to see the world, but I didn't realise how much the experience would help me discover myself along the way.
Aviation can seem glamorous from the outside. What was it really like behind the scenes?
The glamorous side is definitely real, but people don't always see how lonely and demanding the lifestyle can be. I remember being in some of the most beautiful places and wishing my parents or someone I loved could be there to experience them with me. You're working incredibly long flights, sometimes 16 to 19 hours, with very little sleep. What's more, cabin crew are trained first and foremost for safety. You could be serving a meal one minute and dealing with a medical emergency the next.
I once worked on a rescue flight involving Somalia, transporting people seriously injured during a conflict. Some had lost limbs, while others were so badly injured they couldn't even feed themselves. Helping care for those passengers was incredibly humbling and made me appreciate my own life so much more.
Experiences like that put things into perspective. You're reminded that everyone has a different story and that you can't take your own circumstances for granted.
Aviation taught me patience, humility, resilience, and, above all, empathy. You never really know what someone is going through.
What made you take the leap from aviation to tech? Was it daunting to start from scratch?
Absolutely. It was one of the hardest decisions I'd made. During COVID-19, I had financial stability and was comfortable in aviation, but I was considering moving back to Thailand and starting from scratch. I was terrified. Would anyone hire me? Would I have to start at the bottom?
Deep down, though, I wanted a new challenge. I started taking free online courses through Google, learning about analytics and exploring technology. I realised business development could be a natural transition because aviation had taught me so much about communication, understanding people, and solving problems.
When I returned to Thailand, I had to relearn basic office tools and ask younger colleagues to teach me things. But I didn't mind. I was there to learn, and I had something to prove to myself. Starting over doesn't mean starting from zero. You carry everything you've learned with you.
Your career spans several industries. What connects them, and what have they taught you?
On paper, it probably looks like I've done a little bit of everything! But I see a common thread: adaptability, understanding people, and genuinely caring about what I do.
Interior architecture taught me to present ideas and understand clients. Aviation taught me patience and empathy, while business development taught me to develop a thick skin. I've learned not to take rejection personally.
In marketing technology and fintech, I discovered that what I enjoy most isn't simply closing a deal. It's understanding a customer's problem, finding a solution, and seeing its impact on their business. I always take ownership. Whether I'm representing an airline or a technology company, everything I do reflects my own reputation, too.
You took a professional break in 2022. Did it change how you viewed your career?
Taking that break was one of the best gifts I've given myself. I'd built a foundation in sales, but I wanted to become an expert in a particular industry and eventually grow into leadership. I spent two or three months reading, learning, speaking with mentors, and attending a silent meditation retreat.
I'd spent so much time chasing the next goal that I hadn't stopped to think about the bigger picture. I wanted to understand not just how to sell a product, but how an entire industry works, and how technology can solve meaningful problems. That eventually led me towards fintech and Stripe.
I realised that success isn't always about moving faster. Sometimes it's about making sure you're moving in the right direction. It's okay to pause, reflect, and prepare for what's next.
What has driven your growth from enterprise sales to market leadership at Stripe?
Hard work, resilience, and being willing to take on more than what's expected of me. I've never really been someone who just sticks to a job description!
When I joined Stripe, I volunteered for projects outside my responsibilities, asked questions, and put myself in situations where I didn't necessarily know all the answers. I'd always wanted to do a master's degree, so I told myself, “This is going to be my master's degree!” I gave myself two years to learn everything I could about the industry, treating every project, challenge, and mistake as part of my education.
You don't necessarily have to know everything before you take on a challenge. Sometimes, you learn the most by doing it.
What does your role as a Director Market Leader for Thailand's Commercial and SMB segment at Stripe entail?
At heart, I'm still a salesperson. My main responsibility is to drive revenue and grow Stripe's business in Thailand. I'm what we call a “hunter”, actively reaching out to business owners and senior decision-makers to build relationships and explore how our technology can help them.
But sales involves a lot of listening. You have to understand what customers need, what challenges they're facing, and whether your solution is right for them. I also help build business communities, organise events, discuss market strategy, and understand what's happening in the local economy.
I see myself as the eyes and ears of Stripe in Thailand, helping the company understand the local market and how businesses are responding to change.
What business challenge has changed how you think about growth and leadership in Thailand?
One of the biggest challenges is helping businesses see the long-term value of technology and data. Thailand is a price-conscious market, but the cheapest solution today isn't always the most cost-effective in the long run. Change can also be difficult when businesses have operated the same way for years.
I've learned that growth takes patience and education. You need to understand customers' needs, ask the right questions, and help them see the value of change. The same applies to leadership: you can't simply push people forward; you have to understand what matters to them. Ultimately, technology alone doesn't transform businesses. People do.
Sales is a high-pressure environment. How do you handle it, and what keeps you motivated when things don't go to plan?
I'm naturally competitive and enjoy setting ambitious targets. But one of the most valuable things I've learned is the ‘Circle of Control’. I can't control whether a customer signs, the economy changes, or a deal gets delayed. I can control how well I prepare, how much effort I put in, how consistently I follow up, and how I respond when things don't go my way.
When something doesn't work out, I ask myself what I can learn and do differently next time. I've learned not to let one bad day or unsuccessful deal define my confidence.
Of course, it's disappointing when you've put a lot of work into something and it doesn't come through. But I try to focus on what I can take away from the experience rather than dwell on what I couldn't change. If I can go to bed knowing I've genuinely given my best that day, then I'm happy with that.
How has your relationship with travel changed over the years?
When I was younger, I was all about ticking things off my bucket list. Rome? Tick. Colosseum? Tick. Venice? Tick! I wanted to visit as many places as possible. Now, I'd rather spend more time in one place, understand the culture, try the local food, explore the architecture, and connect with people.
During my aviation years, I travelled a lot on my own and loved that independence. Now, I travel with my partner, parents, or extended family. The same destination can feel completely different depending on who you're sharing it with. Now, I travel to collect memories.
How do you switch off from work and make time for yourself?
I've always measured a good day by how productive I'd been or how much I'd achieved. As a working woman, I think we sometimes put so much pressure on ourselves to be good at everything: our careers, relationships, and families, while still somehow finding time for ourselves. I'm definitely still learning how to manage that.
I don't think balance means giving everything equal time every day. It's about knowing what deserves your attention at different moments.
A genuinely good day for me is simple: an easy morning with Pilates or meditation, enjoying good food, and spending quality time with family without constantly checking my phone.
I'm learning that it's okay to have a day where I haven't achieved anything extraordinary. I'm still ambitious, but I don't just want to build a successful career. I want to build a life that feels meaningful, too.
Has your idea of success evolved?
Absolutely. I've always been independent and ambitious. Whenever I wanted to achieve something, my first thought was, “How can I get there on my own?” But having my fiancé, Syd, in my life has taught me about partnership. We both have ambitions, but we support each other's growth. When one of us succeeds, it feels like a win for both of us.
Being independent doesn't mean you have to do everything alone.
For so many years, I've been in a work-oriented mindset, always chasing the next goal. I still want to grow professionally, but I also want to make time for family, travelling, new experiences, and building a beautiful life with my partner. My ambition hasn't become smaller. My definition of success has just become bigger.
Before, I used to question, “How far can I go on my own?” Now, I'm excited to ask, “How far can we go together?” And, honestly, I think that's the most exciting part of this next chapter.